One of our University Centre Weston (UCW) students, Ryan, has recently completed his degree and moved to Florida to work at Walt Disney World, having completed a full 6-year journey through the creatives at Weston College.  

Ryan’s journey began on the Level 2 Art & Design course where he trialled a range of mediums and developed his skills. During this 1-year course, Ryan found his passion, leading him to complete the Level 3 Graphics Design course at Weston College. Here he built a foundation of knowledge surrounding the different software and tools required to become a Graphic Designer. 

Once he had completed his Level 3 Graphic Design course, Ryan wanted to enhance his skillset further, deciding to progress to the BA (Hons) Graphic Design at University Centre Weston (UCW). During this degree, Ryan entered a competition to design the logo for the Knife Angel visit where it was selected to represent this powerful message. The Knife Angel is a 27ft statue made from 100,000 seized blades which represents the need for social change and the negative effects of violent and aggressive behaviour, particularly in knife crime. 

This opportunity was a great way for Ryan to not only get his work out there and build his confidence and portfolio, but it was also an excellent way to work with clients, follow an external brief, and network with industry professionals involved in such an important cause. 

In addition, Ryan helped his peers with different techniques throughout his degree, giving them assistance with software and tools where needed, and helping them to build their confidence and encouraging them to push their creative boundaries.  

Once Ryan had completed his degree at UCW, he applied to work at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida where he is currently working in merchandising at the flagship World of Disney store in Disney Springs. This exciting opportunity allows Ryan to step out of his comfort zone, meet new people, and network with potential employers from across the world, whilst being inspired by all the magic that takes place within the Resort.  

After having completed 3 years at Weston College and discovering his passion, to progressing onto a further 3 years at UCW, Ryan is a fantastic example of commitment and perseverance, chasing after his goals and constantly developing his skills in a fast-paced and dynamic subject area. 

Well done Ryan for your hard work and efforts, we hope you enjoy Disney and that we get to see your designs in the future! 

If you’re interested in applying to our Graphic Design or Art & Design courses, click the desired subject. 

If you’re interested in browsing our university courses at UCW, click here.

This week, Business West organised a Media Faculty Tour for local employers from Weston-super-Mare and Bristol to attend Weston College’s Loxton Campus to explore the fantastic facilities and gain a better understanding of what our students can offer businesses. Employers such as LRB Media, Green Frog Connect, The Hive, and CIMA attended, getting first-hand insight into how Weston College Media operate. 

Addi Coath, one of the Media lecturers at Weston College, led the tour, viewing crucial Creative Arts facilities such as the Weston Waves student-led radio suite, the fantastic music recording studios, and the Apple Mac suite where students edit their work. 

In addition, employers had the opportunity to visit our TV Studio, where they explored the impressive work produced by Media students over the past year. They viewed a variety of final projects, gaining a first-hand appreciation of the creativity, dedication, and talent demonstrated in each piece. 

Following the showcase, employers were introduced to the college’s top-of-the-line equipment, which is made fully accessible to students at no cost. This invaluable resource enables students to create professional-quality work while developing hands-on experience with industry-standard tools, preparing them for the demands of the media sector. 

To finish off, the group was shown our brand-new Podcast Suite which will be available to students in September. With sound proofing and professional equipment, this new addition will enhance the students’ learning experience and develop their range of skills further.

By inviting potential local employers to tour our facilities, meet the staff, and ask questions, we offer them a first-hand look at the outstanding work happening across the college. These visits highlight the mutual benefits of collaboration: students gain valuable real-world experience by working from briefs and developing ideas alongside clients, while employers have the opportunity to help shape the next generation of talent and receive high-quality marketing and promotional content created by our students. 

With our brand-new Media T Level launching in September, this was a fantastic opportunity for employers to see the benefits of recruiting students and getting involved with this amazing new initiative which gives students invaluable industry experience. 

Lynsey McKinstry, Strategic Business Partnerships Manager at Weston College, assisted Business West in the organisation of this insightful tour. She expressed her gratitude to both Business West and the employers who attended the event, saying: 

“It was a pleasure to welcome a group of employers on the Media Production Faculty Tour and showcase the outstanding facilities and exciting new developments within our Media and Creative faculty. Weston College is home to an incredible amount of talent, and events like this highlight the power of industry collaboration, in partnership with Business West, to help shape a dynamic, future-ready curriculum.” 

Thank you to all the employers in attendance and we hope to collaborate with you in the future to support the future generation of Media professionals. 

If you are interested in applying to our Media T Level in September, click here. 

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career. 

Weston College is proud to announce a dynamic new partnership with SLX, one of the UK’s leading technical production companies, as a Careers Excellence Hub Partner for Creative Performance. 

This exciting collaboration reflects a shared commitment to nurturing the next generation of creative talent. SLX, whose work spans high-profile live events, including sports, theatre, television and more; are already seeing success with their first Creative Industries Production Technician apprentice from Weston College. 

“After the success of our first Creative Events Technician apprentice, it’s clear the team at Weston are passionate about equipping students with the real-world skills they need to thrive in live events and production,” said a spokesperson for SLX. “We’re genuinely excited about building on this partnership and helping to inspire the next generation of creative professionals.” 

Career Excellence Hubs at Weston College are designed to prepare learners for the world of work by connecting them with leading employers, providing hands-on industry experience, and embedding career-ready skills into the curriculum. 

This partnership with SLX will further elevate opportunities for students aspiring to enter the vibrant world of live performance and learning how to succeed in technical production.