Creating brighter futures

As part of National Careers Week and Women in Construction Week, our Year 1 T Level learners in Design, Surveying, and Planning for Construction welcomed Georgia Thomson, Business Development Manager at Lancer Scott Facilities Management for a special guest lecturer. 

Georgia delivered an engaging and insightful presentation about her career journey in the construction industry. She shared the challenges she has faced and overcome as a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field, inspiring learners with her perseverance and achievements. 

Beyond her role at Lancer Scott, Georgia is an active committee member of the Women in Property organisation. She emphasised the importance of building a strong support network, encouraging learners to seek mentors, connect with peers, and engage with professional groups to enhance their careers. 

During the session, Georgia prompted discussion by asking learners what challenges women face in construction today and how more women could be encouraged to join the industry. This led to a thoughtful interaction among the students where they exchanged ideas. 

The session concluded with a Q&A, where learners had the opportunity to ask Georgia questions before expressing their gratitude for her time and invaluable insights into the industry. 

Daniel Comerford, one of our Construction Professions Lecturer, said, “Georgia’s talk was incredibly insightful and inspiring for our learners.  

“She provided a real-world perspective on the challenges and opportunities within the construction industry, particularly for women.  

“Her journey and advice on building a strong professional network resonated with our students, sparking meaningful discussions about inclusivity in the sector. We are grateful for her time and the valuable knowledge she shared.” 

Find out more about our Construction Professions courses, by clicking here.  

This guest speaker forms part of the Construction Careers Excellence Hub. The College has fourteen sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields.

Last month, Weston College proudly hosted the regional heats of the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) Competition. As one of several heats held across the UK, the event welcomed Further and Higher Education students, adult learners, and apprentices from Hairdressing and Makeup & Prosthetics courses across Weston, Bristol, and Bath to compete for a spot in the national finals. 

The all-day event featured a wide range of competitions spread throughout the college, challenging students in both technical skill and creativity. From haircuts and styling to makeup and prosthetics, each category pushed learners to demonstrate their expertise while showcasing their artistic flair. 

Hairdressing competitions were exclusive to Further Education students and varied in difficulty. Tasks ranged from commercial and feminine blow-dries, and cut and finish challenges, to more complex categories like freestyle work on textured hair and fantasy hairdressing. Each competition gave learners the opportunity to work independently, competing against their peers from across the South West under time pressure in a professional setting. 

Meanwhile, the Makeup & Prosthetics categories welcomed both FE and HE students, offering unique themes and complete creative freedom. Competitions included body painting, face painting, Editorial Vogue-inspired makeup, and Moulin Rouge designs. The diverse range of tasks allowed students to experiment with different techniques and media, creating original and innovative designs beyond the typical curriculum. 

Hospitality and Catering students also played an important role in the event, providing a delicious buffet that was praised by visiting colleges and guests. 

After a day of impressive displays of talent and creativity, the results were counted, and a small awards ceremony was held. Out of 90 students competing from across the South West, 13 Weston College learners secured their place in the finals, which will be held in Blackpool this May. 

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College and AHT Chair for the South West, highlighted the importance of competitions like this for students’ personal and professional development. She shared, “The AHT Competition helps to support our learners' careers, allowing them to meet like-minded people aspiring for the same career. It provides them with hands-on experience that enhances their skills and prepares them for the future.” 

A huge thank you goes to VTCT for sponsoring and judging the competition, Stylebook Directory for their support, and all the AHT judges and industry specialists who dedicated their time and expertise to the day. 

Congratulations to every student who took part in the competition, and best of luck to those heading to the finals. 

If you are interested in applying to one of our Makeup & Prosthetics or Hairdressing & Barbering courses, click here. 

Last month, Health and Social Care students took part in Health and Social Care Future Skills Week, a week-long project focused on developing important skills for their future careers. Each day gave students the chance to learn something new, work with professionals, and explore different areas of the health and social care sector. 

The week started with a wellbeing day, where students worked with the Student Engagement Team, taking part in activities designed to help them look after their own wellbeing, including art therapy, a gym induction, and an afternoon of sports. This gave students time to focus on their own health and welfare and learn ways to stay healthy in the future. 

On Tuesday, students met with guest speakers from different areas of Health and Social Care. Nick Mallett from University Hospitals Bristol and Weston shared his experience in nursing, as well as Jenny Gamlin, a community midwife and health visitor, Michelle Clarke, a respiratory specialist, and Clare Waggett, an occupational therapist, also discussed their roles and what they entail. These sessions provided our learners with a better understanding of the various career options available in the sector. 

Wednesday was all about learning key workplace skills. Students took part in training for manual handling, first aid, and learned about National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2) and Sepsis 6. These are essential skills that are required for students who wish to begin working in the health and social care sector. 

On Thursday, students took part in the ‘100 New Ideas’ project where they worked in teams with students from different levels to come up with creative ideas to support older people’s health and wellbeing. Their ideas were part of a campaign by the St Monica Trust, and the best ones were chosen by a panel of judges. The winning teams received prizes, and their ideas were shared with St Monica Trust. 

The winning idea from our students was to facilitate a bus service between their care villages in Bristol and North Somerset. This would allow residents to participate in events across the organisation, visit people they may know and meet new people. Students also came up with ideas to support dental care, a dating service to build friendships and relationships, and creating more spaces for a variety of worship.

Health and Social Care Future Skills Week provided our students with opportunities to experience different career pathways with industry professionals. It was an excellent way to network and build connections, but also prepare them for a variety of sectors with invaluable information from hands-on workshops and informative guest lectures. 

Thank you to the industry professionals who took the time to visit our Health and Social Care students and share your first-hand experience. 

If you are interested in applying to one of our Health and Social Care courses, click here.