<p>The Automotive industry is exciting and dynamic. Cars are everywhere, and they often need servicing, repairs and enhancements!</p>

<p>The Automotive Career Excellence Hub is a way for Weston College learners to enter industry while being supported the whole way through. Learners have the chance to get vital experience in what a mechanic’s workshop is actually like which will prove incredibly useful for their future career.</p>

<p>Learners will benefit from meeting mechanics and being able to get their foot in the door early for future employment in these workshops. Some of the skills learned in these work placements could include body repairs, paint, working on interior &amp; trim, and repairing the electrical systems on a vehicle.</p>

<p>Careers that learners in the Automotive Career Excellence Hub can go into include being a vehicle technician, mechanic or electrician, vehicle body repairer, vehicle paint technician, or a parts salesperson or advisor. These careers are lucrative, with individuals in these roles earning a good living. For example, a vehicle technician earns on average £26,068.</p>

<p>On top of attending the Career Excellence Hub, learners will be able to study at one of our three full-size Automotive workshops at the South West Skills Campus. This area features working vehicle ramps and all of the tools that learners will find in industry. The Automotive team also has several cars which can be worked on by learners to learn crucial skills such as servicing, diagnostics and repair. These vehicles are changed and updated frequently to provide further experience of different models and issues.</p>

<p>For more information on how to apply to Weston College and join our amazing Career Excellence Hub for Automotive, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/motor… here</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Today members of local council, ESFA, ETF, schools and nurseries, all joined Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College and the Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Councillor James Clayton, who together, officially opened the new Education and Early Years facilities at Weston College.</p>

<p>This new hub will meet the growing demand from employers both locally and regionally to train staff of the future, preparing them ready to join a growing industry.</p>

<p>The Education and Early Years facilities have been developed in conjunction with the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Career Excellence Hub</a> employers: Busy Buddies, Little Bears, DaisyChain, Mendip Green, YMCA and Storal Learning, who ensure not only that the course content includes insights of industry leaders, but also that the new facilities will be industry standard to give them real-life experience.</p>

<p>The grand opening included a tour of the brand new £600k Education and Early Years hub that includes:</p>

<ul>
<li>Community Room – to allow us to host stay and play and other community sessions.</li>
<li>Child and Healthcare Room – a multi-functional space for food prep and mid-session naps.</li>
<li>Primary School Room – an engaging environment full of multi-curricular activities.</li>
<li>Creative and Exploratory Atelier – a non-traditional learning environment to host messy-play, science activities and more.</li>
<li>Observation room – includes one-way mirrors so learners do not influence a child’s play.</li>
</ul>

<p>Sandra Bull, Dean of the Faculty said: “The new hub is really impressive, I’m so pleased it’s come to fruition. It’s really important for us that all learners get real-life experience to ensure they are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to get ahead in the modern jobs market.”</p>

<p>These new facilities are matched with an exciting portfolio of study programmes. For school leavers there will be full-time college-based courses, apprenticeships plus the new flagship T Level – the gold-standard in qualifications where learners can follow a college-based programme and gain sector experience through an industry placement. Plus, a range of options for adults for those who would like to upskill or re-train as an early years practitioner or teaching assistant.</p>

<p>Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive, Weston College added: “It was a privilege to officially open the new facilities today. This is just one element of a College-wide initiative to ensure we are making aspirational careers a reality for all our learners regardless of their starting point in life.”</p>

<p>The build is co-funded by T Level Capital funding, awarded by the Department for Education.</p>

<p>Find out more</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… for school leavers starting in September</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/course-finder?… for adults starting in January</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news-and-events/events">Next open event</a></li>
</ul>

<p>If you’ve visited our South West Skills Campus over the last few months, you may have seen the display engine, which now proudly sits in our reception, and wondered why it is there?</p>

<p>Well, it is all down to the hard work of our apprentices at GKN.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.gknaerospace.com/">GKN Aerospace</a> is one of the world’s leading aircraft and aero-engine manufacturers. With each campus committed to reaching Net Zero by 2030, Weston College partners with high standard organisations that help to create brighter and greener futures. Read more about GKN's initiatives surrounding sustainability and their environmental protection practices <a href="https://www.gknaerospace.com/en/sustainability/">here</a><img alt="GKN Engine, Engineering Learners, South West Skills Campus" data-align="right" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d13db4e-ec9a-4059-bc7c-30c3bb884daf" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%2810%29.jpeg" /></p>

<p>Earlier this year, five of our Year 2 Aerospace Engineering Degree apprentices, Taylor, Jansen, Ethan, Harry and Chloe, decided to organise, manage and install the engine, as part of their Project Management module (work-based learning).</p>

<p>This is one of four modules they need to complete, on the second year of their degree apprenticeship. The module helps learners to develop new skills, as well as strengthening ones that they learnt in their first year.</p>

<p>The engine itself was donated by GKN, who we work very closely with to create exciting opportunities for our learners.</p>

<p>The learners showcased their communication and collaboration, as well as demonstrating their application of the knowledge, skills and behaviours in order to get this project running – one which was completed to industry standard!</p>

<p>Every day I walk past the engine with immense pride, not just at the achievements of these learners, but also of the power of partnerships. I think about the skills and knowledge that these incredible young people possess, thanks to their hard work and dedication, as well as the opportunities presented to them, through the college.</p>

<p>We’re excited to be launching T Levels in Engineering next September too, which will give us further opportunity to work closely with employers and watch learners develop into skilled professionals. The T Level will support learners who are taking their first steps in engineering, and will prepare them both academically and practically through their 45-day placements, in industry.</p>

<p>If you’re an employer reading this, then I highly recommend getting in touch with the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/work-experience?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_m… placement team</a> at Weston College. Not only will this give you an opportunity to meet the learner and find out whether or not they will be a fit for your organisation, but they also possess skills which can fill skills gaps and support your business.</p>

<p><em>Andreas Papadopoulos, HE Curriculum Co-ordinator Engineering</em></p>