At Weston College, we feel it is important for students to meet industry professionals and get a taste for industry life. We invite businesses in, to talk to our learners and inspire the next generation.

One business that visited last year, is Bristol and Cardiff based marketing agency, Cre8ion. We asked their CEO Darrell Irwin, a few questions about his business, and the importance of engaging with tomorrow’s workforce.

Who are Cre8ion and what do you offer?

At Cre8ion we have developed a brand automation product called Genesis Brands. This cutting edge approach to branding is helping start-ups get a head start. Removing the cost of time and talent using a branding agency would entail the user answers questions and the system generates brands, both in a cloud for you to download and useable assets to get your message out there!

Why did you decide to inspire students through a guest lecture?

We believe tomorrow’s generation will help us innovate for the needs of tomorrow. Apple have been doing this for years and businesses that ‘get it’ secure legacy.

You can teach theory but by using this product we could help them build a brand using that theory and have the ability to execute their brand in minutes not days.

We are committed to helping students and entrepreneurs punch above their weight without spending thousands.

Were there any specific highlights you had whilst working with Weston College learners?

That 60 students built 60 great brands in minutes and were amazed that they could bring an idea to life so quickly.

How has your automation system helped develop Weston College learners?

A practical understanding with brand and practical application made for a great workshop with applied knowledge.

Essentially, they students had access to 25 years of knowledge online!

They made design choices quickly while getting a clear idea of what mission, vision and values actually are.

What advice would you give to a business considering running sessions with Weston College learners?

We’d advise other employers to make use of this great opportunity – we got to expose our business to the future generation. My tips would be make sure that students have a clear outcome and gain knowledge that can be applied to their own personal career journey.

You can check out Cre8ion’s Genesis brand here.

If you are interested in delivering a guest lecture, or joining our business network, please fill in the form below.

Four talented Applied Computing degree students have scooped high-flying jobs even before they have graduated.

Two of the BSc (Hons) students have invented life-changing apps, including one that reminds patients about physiotherapy exercises between treatments and another which translates sign language.

Student Daniel Fay, 21 of Weston, had already scooped the Principal’s Scholarship at the College’s Celebration of Success in January, for his hard work.

Daniel worked with Weston College’s Deaf and Hard of Hearing Co-ordinator, Emm Sharpe, on an app designed to improve communications in the workplace for people with disabilities.

Now he’s been invited to team up with Southampton University staff on a research project that will see the computing specialist work towards a PhD.

Daniel said: "It was great to get a job before I graduated. My PhD will be based on modelling command teams in various domains from a sociotechnical aspect, and analysing how improvements could be made, to better facilitate objectives.”

One of only three women on the 37-student Applied Computing course is 22-year-old Emily Thorpe of Westbury-on-Trym, Bristol.

Having worked part-time for Bath-based communications technology company Gradwell during her course, she is now working for them full-time as a software engineer.

Tom Osborne, 21 of Weston, is now working as a developer in London for PEX, an award-winning supplier of consultancy and software solutions for property companies and accommodation providers.

Alex Jones, 21 of Weston, created an innovative and bespoke physiotherapy aid after identifying the need for an app when carrying out work experience at Weston-based Cowan House.

Now at software development company, TouMetis, Alex said: “It’s been a great experience and I have learnt so much. I’m working on an app for central control systems in houses for things such as lighting, heating and cameras.”

Computing Curriculum Co-ordinator Janice Castle, who spent many years working in the IT industry, said: “It’s fantastic to find good jobs before they finish their degrees.

“Our courses are vocational with work-based elements providing a range of technical and team-working skills to improve employability.

 “These exceptional students have got jobs several months before graduating and worked part-time until the course finished; their employers were more than happy to wait for them!”

Weston College recently celebrated becoming a Further AND Higher Education establishment following a successful bid to the Government.

The new status means it will be able to expand its degree provision significantly, leading to many more new jobs for the town and surrounding area.

Weston College has been described as a ‘true beacon’ for colleges nationwide when it was presented two awards from the Association of Colleges (AoC).

The College has been handed two national Beacon Awards by the AoC; the UCAS Progress Award for Careers Education and Guidance and the Council for Learning Resources in Colleges Award for the Effective Integration of Libraries/Learning Resources Centres in Curriculum Delivery.

The awards recognise the hard work of the College’s ASPECT (Advice, School, Progression, Employability, Careers, Transition) team and its LibraryPlus team.

The AoC Beacon Award Local Presentation Ceremony was held at the College’s Conference and Events Centre, in Knightstone Road, on Tuesday 4th May.

The ceremony formally announced the two achievements and consisted of networking and a lunch followed by presentations and prize-giving.

Local businesses and dignitaries, including Weston-super-Mare’s Mayor Cllr Raymond Armstrong and Mayoress Joan Dunne, attended the ceremony. 

Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, Dr Paul Phillips OBE, said: “It’s tremendous, the work which goes on at Weston College. These two teams have shown a real entrepreneurial flair and have ensured the learner has come first.

“Thank you to all of the guests who attended the ceremony, your support demonstrates the importance of collaboration and partnership in a true sense – we are all working together to ensure learners succeed.”

Ian Monroe, South West Regional Director of the AoC and Jon Graystone, representing the AoC’s steering group which judged the awards, attended the ceremony to present the two awards.

Mr Graystone said: “I am delighted to recognise and celebrate these achievements. We received 140 nominations and the quality of the two from Weston College was clear and the reason that they won.

“The judging process is rigorous, it involves all nomination being made anonymous, and so judges are unaware which colleges they come from.

“Weston College is a true beacon for Colleges in the UK.”