A team of Weston College business students have taken part in the UK final of an International Trade competition.

The seven first-year students, who earlier won the regional event, travelled to The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London to compete against five other schools and colleges.

They presented a pitch on how to get young people interested in international trade and, despite not winning, impressed the judges with their understanding and confident pitching technique.

The team of Klaudia Wiecek, Julia Kaminska, Carlotta Browne, Immy Talbot, Max Kelly, Ryan Latham and Oscar Buxton also got the opportunity to visit 10 Downing Street and meet Liam Fox MP, the Secretary of State for International Trade. They also took part in a treasure hunt around Whitehall.

The competition was part of a Department for International Trade (DIT) initiative to find the next generation of business leaders.

DIT invited students to register for ‘summer schools’ in Bristol, Birmingham and Edinburgh, which offered the chance to develop entrepreneurial skills, work alongside business leaders and learn from successful exporters.

It also enabled them to enter the national competition, with the Weston College team winning the Bristol ‘heat’ held at Airbus.

Ben Melhuish, the College’s area manager for Business, said: “This event has been a great experience for the students.

“As well as being a hot topic due to Brexit, the practise of international trade is constantly evolving and offers a wealth of career opportunities.

“This event has allowed the students to explore what it has to offer and to learn from business leaders. They were also able to network with Airbus employees about opportunities available through apprenticeships, internships and graduate schemes.

“They performed extremely well to reach the competition final and delivered an excellent presentation in a high-pressure environment. We are very proud of them.”

Find out more about Business and Management courses here.

12 unemployed learners were given the opportunity to study a bespoke Marco Pierre White customer service course, at DoubleTree Hilton Cadbury House.

The Weston College course was devised in partnership with DoubleTree Hilton Cadbury House, who were looking to recruit, and train new team members.

The course was aimed at people who were currently unemployed and it proved popular, with 22 applications, for the 12 spaces on the course. Applicants came from community projects that help unemployed and economically inactive people in the West of England find employment including West of England Works, Releasing New Potential and Skills Support for the Unemployed.

Throughout the course learners spent time developing their customer service skills, as well as learning about what is required to work in the hospitality industry.

At the end of the week, all 12 learners were offered a job interview, and six were offered work trials.

Brian Howe, Training and Development Manager at Weston College, said: “This course was really effective in developing learners skills, to ensure they were ready for working in the hospitality industry. The learners did a superb job, and this is reflected in 50% of them gaining a work trial.”

Joyce Millard, Human Resources Manager at Doubletree by Hilton Cadbury House, said: “The learners were amazing, and made the whole recruitment process very easy. Following the success of this course, we will definitely be repeating it on a regular basis across our venues.”

This course is being repeated at the Abbey Hotel in Bath, later this month (November). To register your interest, please email backtowork@weston.ac.uk or ring 01934 411 147.

Find out more about our employment support services, by clicking here.

Peter Misson, 50, of Locking Road, was reluctant to come on the Changes course - aimed at those making the transition from Incapacity Benefit and Employment Support Allowance - because he suffers from dyslexia and hasn’t worked for a long time.

But after completing the course at the College’s Training Solutions in Locking Road, Peter has now gone on to a higher course and hopes either to enter employment or full-time education.

“I didn’t want to come on the course at all,” he said, “because I felt I wasn’t good around people and found it hard to engage. But after just two weeks I found my attitude had changed tremendously. I always thought I’d struggle in groups, but the others on the course, and the staff, were fantastic to be with.”

Peter, a former warehouse manager, said the Weston College staff had been ‘very understanding’, which had given him the confidence to think he could break out of the benefits cycle.

“They helped me to realise that I was capable of being around people and actually enjoy that,” he said. “I’ve now got my CV up together, plus a covering letter, and I’m thinking about a much brighter future.”

Changes is a four week course focusing on several areas including IT, Healthy Eating, Employability Skills and volunteering. The course culminates with an event the participants organise themselves.

Peter has now gone on to the College’s Aspire course, which teaches employability skills. “Weston College has changed my life,” he said. “I feel much more confident and I’ve really surprised myself.”

Laura Leadbetter, Peter’s Trainer Assessor on the Changes course, said his story was just one of a number of similar transformational stories resulting from the course.

“Some of the learners have been off work a long time, and have suffered from various illnesses which have kept them away from work. However, there has been a tremendous amount of positivity around Changes and because we treat people as individuals we find we get excellent results, as with Peter. He enjoyed the course so much he asked if he could do it again!

“We wish him all the best of luck for his future.”

A multi-million pound plan to create a brighter future for Weston-super-Mare's Winter Gardens has been approved by North Somerset Council.

Weston College will create a new Law and Professional Services Academy at the seafront site, while restoring the iconic ballroom to its former glory.

It is hoped this project will be the catalyst for bringing significantly more students to the town, and will play a key role in the council's bold plans for a prosperous, modern and vibrant town centre, in which learning plays a pivotal part.

In 2015, councillors agreed to transfer the landmark building to Weston College as part of the council's continued support and match funding for the delivery of the new Academy.

The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership has earmarked nearly £15 million for the project.

Redevelopment and modernisation of the building will include replacing part of it with a new two-storey extension containing lecture theatres, seminar rooms, meeting and conference spaces, offices and associated facilities.

The historic 1920s pavilion, ballroom and other parts of the Winter Gardens will be repaired and refurbished, and will remain available for wider community use.

Dr Paul Phillips OBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: "I am delighted that North Somerset councillors have granted planning permission for this exciting development.

"We were approached by legal companies who wanted to establish a law and professional services academy in the area.

"This facility will meet the needs of employers and continue to raise Weston-super-Mare's reputation nationally as a centre of excellence for education and training.

"I also hope it will make a significant contribution towards the regeneration of the town centre, and also secures a brighter future for this prominent building which will once again become a jewel in Weston's crown."

North Somerset Council Leader, Cllr Nigel Ashton, said: "The expansion of further and higher education is central to our ambitious vision for the future of the town as a centre for the best of urban living, learning and lifestyle.

"This flagship project is a unique opportunity to inject vitality into the town centre through attracting new talent and a greater diversity of people to live in Weston, while addressing local skills gaps and creating new jobs at the same time.

"We really welcome the College's proposals to give a new lease of life to one of Weston's landmark buildings which will continue to be an important facility for the local community."

The Winter Gardens is due to be formally transferred to Weston College in spring 2016.

Once the funding from the West of England LEP is confirmed, work will begin in the hope of opening the new academy later in 2016.

Weston College students had a chance to meet Michael Gove, Lord Chancellor and Secretary of State for Justice, and local MP John Penrose, last week at an event hosted by Weston-super-Mare Conservative Association.

The students, who are currently studying A Level Government and Politics at Weston College’s Sixth Form Centre, were invited to the Royal Hotel for a three course meal followed by a speech from Mr Gove, who last week was voted out of the Conservative Party leadership election.

Kori, 17, said: “I found the evening thoroughly interesting. It’s cool to see politicians in the flesh because it shows us that the things we learnt in class are more than just theory or history.

“Meeting the politicians brings the concept of politics back to reality.”

Mardi McLay, Lecturer in Government and Politics at Weston College, said: “This was a unique experience providing the students with an opportunity to see first-hand, politics in action.”

Eve Mason, Weston College’s Curriculum Lead in Humanities, Legal and Social Studies, said: “Mr Gove was an interesting and entertaining speaker, who spoke on a range of contemporary matters.

“The students gained a valuable insight into the political process, talking at length to one of Mr Gove’s advisors to find out how he got into politics and what it’s like working for an MP.”

During his speech, Mr Gove paid special tribute to the students, saying: “It’s good to see the amazing young people from Weston College here this evening.

“Everyone in the town should feel proud of the College, and it deserves congratulations for everything it has achieved.”

Mr Gove has previously commended the College for its work in the offender learning sector, where it delivers education in nine prisons across the South West of England.

20 students from Weston College’s Health and Social Care and Early Years departments got the opportunity to visit Disneyland Paris last week to attend seminars on food hygiene, health and safety and supporting people with a disability.

The four day visit included free time in the amusement park as a treat for the students, some of which had never left England before.

Emily Parsons, who studies Health and Social Care at Level 3, said: “Disneyland was fantastic, we got the chance to meet students from all across the UK and Europe who are studying the same course.

“The lectures we attended were very informative and we can’t wait to go again next year!”

Sarah-Jane Lewis, Health and Social Care Coordinator at Weston College, said: “The experience was amazing for the students, and they got to learn about what other Colleges in England and France teach about the subjects they themselves are learning.

“It was also helpful for our Health and Social Care students to mix with our Early Years students as these subjects go hand-in-hand and interaction enables them to share ideas and best practices.

“The students were all professional and represented the College and Weston-super-Mare very well and they were a credit to themselves and our faculty. The students felt exhilarated and excited to be part of this experience.”

You’ll probably find that college is different to school in many ways. Here’s a few things you might want to know about life at college...

Tutors

Teachers are known as tutors and you call them by their first name. You’ll meet your personal tutor during your induction, they will be your first point of contact for everything at college. They’ll also meet with you in 1-1 sessions to check your progress.  During your first week there will be lots of activities to help you settle in and make friends.

Responsibility

Your personal tutor will give you your timetable. You’ll be responsible for getting to College and your classes on time and for managing your own assignments.  You might find you have free time during the day, or have some days when you don’t need to come to college. But don’t forget the library is always open! At College you are given more freedom and also more responsibility. There are no buzzers to signal the start and end of lessons.

Student Services

If you’re not sure about your course, or you want some advice on careers or university the student services team is available for 1-1 support. The college also has Welfare and Learning Support teams at each of the main campuses to help you settle in and provide you with a wide range of support and guidance throughout your time at college.  If you need support for your studies or welfare support your tutor can arrange this or you can go to them directly. Click here to find out more.

More than just study

Don’t forget, College isn’t just about study, we also have the brilliant Students' Union. Become a member or get involved in the fantastic range of Sports, events and enrichment activities to make your time at college even more enjoyable.

A Weston College Sixth Form student has won a second award for his work on a Young Enterprise project.

Ilja Voroncovs was recently awarded the Journey Award in the district finals of a Young Enterprise event, and has now won the second stage of the award at the regional finals.

As part of his previous award, Ilja was given a 1:1 mentoring session with Richard Phillips, Director of Three Cherries Limited, who worked alongside Ilja’s tutor Elinor John to help him produce a film showcasing the positive effect Young Enterprise has had on him.

Ilja was then successful in winning the second Regional Journey Award at a ceremony in Exeter, and is now one of just three people that have been selected nationally as finalists for the National Journey Award.

Ilja’s tutor on the project, Elinor John, Lecturer in Photography and Employability Co-coordinator, said: “We are incredibly proud that Ilja has gone on to win a second regional award!

“The Young Enterprise team and all the staff here at the Sixth Form are so pleased that the progress he has made is being recognised. He has come such a long way and is well deserving of this award.”

Ilja has been invited to attend the national final in London on 6 July.

Weston College is set to play a lead role in tackling the construction industry skills shortage by opening a state-of-the-art industry focused training centre.

The Weston College Construction Training Centre, based just off Junction 21 of the M5, will open in spring 2019 and represents a £3.8 million investment.

It will offer training in three key construction areas – plant operations, scaffolding, and groundworks.

Courses have been selected and designed with employers’ needs in mind and in response to the growing demand for a trained and skilled construction workforce in the region.

Training will be available as required by employers and individuals, rather than fitting into the traditional academic year.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group said: “The Construction Training Centre is a natural step into commercial training and starts an exciting chapter for us.

“Over the last ten years, we’ve built strong relationships with employers to develop our apprenticeship provision.

“But we’ve recognised, more and more, the need to deliver training at the point of need – not only for school leavers during the academic year.

“The Construction Training Centre means employers can come to us at any time for short courses, top-up courses, and to up-skill staff who are taking on new roles. We’ll also provide apprenticeships in these new areas to train the next generation of this industry’s workforce.”

The new centre has been designed to equip industry with the workforce it needs now and into the future.

Dr Paul Phillips said: “It’s a direct response to the skills shortage in the three areas.

The ability for the centre to offer plant training for all major site plant will be a significant development for the South West, whether that is with 360 excavators, dumper trucks or telehandlers, the centre will offer easily accessible training, key to meeting industry demand.

The College has commissioned Midas Construction to build the centre.

Dr Paul Phillips said: “We have a long-running relationship with Midas. They understand the College, our priorities and how to provide the learning environment that students need.”

Weston College will team up with national leader for scaffolding, safety experts Simian, to provide outstanding scaffolding training.

This training centre has been made possible through the efforts of Weston College in partnership with the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership and North Somerset Council.

The financial investment has been provided by the College match-funding a successful bid for funding from the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through the Local Growth Fund, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.

Chair of the West of England LEP, Prof Steve West, said: “We’re really pleased to support the fantastic new Construction Training Centre at Weston College. This will help to equip our current and future construction workforce with the skills they need to drive forward the building of new homes, business premises and infrastructure as our region grows. It will also help them to secure better career prospects and make the most of the opportunities available right here in the West of England.”

Derek Quinn, Executive Director for Midas Construction, said: “We are delighted to be continuing the strong framework partnership between Weston College and Midas. As a regionally-based business we are active in promoting opportunities for careers within construction and so we are particularly proud to be involved in bringing forward this new facility which will help develop a skilled and highly-trained workforce for the future.”

Find out more about the Construction Training Centre here.