Abbie Hannaby - Careers and Employability Co-ordinator

As a Careers Coordinator and a T Level Ambassador, I support T Level learners throughout their industry placements, helping them gain valuable real-world experience that complements their studies. My role involves working closely with employers to source and coordinate placements, ensuring both learners and businesses have a positive and successful experience. 

One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is seeing learners develop their confidence, skills and career aspirations while in the workplace. Industry placements are a key part of T Levels, providing learners with the opportunity to apply their learning in a professional environment and prepare for their future careers.

When considering how T Levels fit into the wider qualifications landscape alongside A Levels, apprenticeships and other vocational routes, I see them as another excellent option for learners. Every learner is different, and it's important that there are a range of pathways available. T Levels offer the best of both worlds by combining academic study with substantial industry experience, making them ideal for learners who want to gain practical skills while continuing their education.

T Levels are particularly important for learners looking to develop the knowledge and practical skills needed for their chosen career, as they give learners the chance to put their learning into practice in a real work environment. Through their industry placement, learners can build confidence, develop valuable workplace skills and gain first-hand experience of their chosen sector. This helps them understand what employers are looking for and gives them a real advantage when progressing into employment, apprenticeships or further study.

Employers also play a vital role in shaping the future of T Levels and ensuring learners are prepared for the workplace. As part of my role, I work closely with employers to arrange and support industry placements, and I've seen first-hand the difference they make. By welcoming learners into their workplaces, providing guidance and sharing their expertise, employers help young people develop the confidence and skills they need to succeed in their future careers.

To ensure T Levels remain accessible and relevant to a diverse range of learners while maintaining high standards, I believe it's about providing the right support while keeping learner success at the centre of everything we do. Every learner's journey is different, so it's important to help them overcome barriers and make the most of the opportunities available to them. Strong support, high-quality teaching and meaningful industry placements all contribute to maintaining high standards and ensuring learners have the best possible experience.

Finally, for employers or learners who are still unfamiliar with T Levels and the opportunities they offer, I'd encourage them to find out more and get involved. For learners, T Levels offer a unique opportunity to combine classroom learning with meaningful industry experience. For employers, hosting a placement is a fantastic way to support young people, bring fresh ideas into the workplace and help develop future talent for their industry.

One of our T Level Business and Management students, Luke, has shone outside the classroom by being part of the Somerset Disabled Cricket Club who have just been crowned National Champions in the D40 Pursuit Title after a 3-wicket win over Middlesex at Corsham Cricket Club last month.

The final was a rain-reduced, 25-over match played at Corsham in Wiltshire. Somerset Disabled CC won the toss and elected to bowl, bowling the opposition out for 108 runs. Luke took an impressive three wickets as part of an outstanding all-round team fielding performance. Somerset then chased down the target with just two balls to spare in a nail-biting finish! This fantastic achievement even received recognition on BBC Points West Breakfast, highlighting the team’s success.

Luke has been playing cricket for 3 years for both Lympsham and Belvedere Cricket Club, and Somerset Disabled Cricket Club, during this he has been working towards the D40 Pursuit Title which is a county-level National championship for the top domestic cricket players with physical, learning disabilities or hearing loss.

Luke shared why he loves cricket, saying, “2 years ago, I had 4 operations on both my legs and feet which meant I had a lengthy recovery time of 6 months and am still continuing physio, but the thought of getting back on the field kept me going. Cricket is a sport I can play with friends and compete against able-bodied people on a level playing field which I enjoy, and I also find the statistics side of the game interesting with the aim to improve my levels year on year.”

Luke encourages anyone considering getting involved with clubs or sports outside of college to do it, “I enjoy the banter and encouragement of my teammates. It has given me lifelong connections and relationships, and being involved in a club teaches you to be part of a team and a community.”

A huge well done to Luke and the team for this incredible win, and we look forward to hearing about your future achievements in the cricket field.

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.

Earlier this month, our Digital students took part in the CSIDES Cyber Security event to give our students a deeper understanding of the different careers within the Digital industry and network with professionals to gain valuable advice and guidance following their course.

CSIDES is an initiative that embodies Cyber, Coastal, and Community. It is a community-led cyber security event held at The Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare, designed to make cyber security more accessible to the public, businesses and students. It is the UK's first cyber security event built by and for a coastal community.

The event brings together cyber security professionals, industry experts, educators and local organisations for a day of expert talks, interactive workshops and networking opportunities. Topics include online safety, recognising scams and phishing attempts, protecting personal and business data, and understanding the different career opportunities available within the cyber security industry.

The main aim of CSIDES is to improve digital awareness and confidence within coastal communities, helping individuals and businesses protect themselves online while inspiring more people to explore careers in the growing cyber security sector. For students, it provides valuable opportunities to develop their knowledge, gain practical insights from industry professionals and discover potential career pathways.

Attending the CSIDES Cyber Security event provides Digital and Computing students with a valuable opportunity to explore the rapidly evolving world of cyber security and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges facing organisations in an increasingly digital society. By engaging with industry professionals and learning about current cyber threats, online safety, data protection and the importance of secure digital systems, students can develop their knowledge beyond the classroom and see how their studies apply to real-world scenarios.

The event also helps students discover the wide range of career opportunities available within the cyber security and wider digital industries, from ethical hacking and network security to digital forensics and cyber threat analysis. Hearing directly from professionals can inspire students to consider future career pathways, understand the skills and qualifications employers look for, and appreciate the importance of keeping up to date with emerging technologies. Experiences such as this help prepare students for progression into higher education or employment, while highlighting the vital role cyber security plays in protecting individuals, businesses and society.

Sean Shearing, Head of Digital Curriculum at Weston College, said, “Events like this provide our students with valuable, real-world knowledge from experts in the field, giving them first-hand experience of the challenges and opportunities within the cyber security industry. It allows them to build on what they learn in the classroom, gain insight into the latest developments in cyber security, and explore the diverse career pathways available to them. Opportunities like these are invaluable in helping our students develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to progress into the digital and computing industries.”

This curriculum trip forms part of the Digital Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.

Progress to the next level in Digital! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. 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.