Weston College celebrates the outstanding success of its Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAPs), which have resulted in a remarkable 47% job outcome achievement rate. The SWAP courses, delivered by Weston College's Pre-Employment Team, have helped over 553 individuals complete training in various industries, leading to a staggering 262 individuals securing employment.

Weston College's Pre-Employment Team has delivered 50 SWAP courses since April 2022 to April 2023. During this period, the team received 891 referrals and enrolled 553 of those referrals, a start rate of 62%.

From using the TOMS framework the success of these SWAP courses has resulted in an estimated average saving for the public purse of £15,085.95 for each unemployed person who has secured work, which indicates that in 12 months, Weston College's SWAP offer alone has generated a £3.9m Social Return on Investment.

The SWAPs are a key part of Weston College's efforts to help jobseekers improve their job prospects and enhance their CVs through bespoke training in a particular industry. Each SWAP includes pre-employment training, work experience, and a guaranteed interview with an employer in the sector or help with the application process.

Weston College's SWAPs are designed to create a skilled workforce for employers, and the programme is flexible and can be adapted to meet the individual needs of businesses. There is no direct cost to employers who offer a SWAP, with candidates remaining on benefits, and the government offering support with travel and childcare costs for benefit claimants completing the scheme.

Successful SWAP have run with Employers who have worked with the College on the SWAP programme had this to say:

Adrian Batty, Estates Manager from the NHS commented:

“We were looking for a Band 3 Administration Support Assistant and one was recruited successfully right away!”

“The process of recruitment was absolutely brilliant – from the interview on Wednesday the candidate started with us on Monday – it worked really well because with SWAPs the candidates are already DBS checked, inductions have been done and they are set up on the system with emails etc. Our new employee has already been holding the fort and has added value to the team.”

Alex Pryde, Manager of Outpatients and Mass Vaccination Programme Booking Team, said:

"The introduction of mass vaccinations required rapid staffing, and the SWAPs Team delivered exceptional candidates. One standout SWAPs candidate coordinated the vaccination program and was promoted from Band 2 to Band 3. Now, on the verge of a Band 4 promotion and a permanent contract, their journey highlights the excellent quality of SWAPs candidates."

James Warren, Lead for Covid 19 Testing Team, stated:

"Recruiting for my team is challenging due to the need for advanced IT literacy and navigating multiple systems. SWAPs has been invaluable in streamlining the pre-interview process and ensuring candidate suitability. One standout candidate has proven to be an exceptional and consistent team member, a true asset. I highly recommend SWAPs to other departments in need of similar services."

The success of Weston College's SWAPs demonstrates the outstanding work of its Pre-Employment Team in delivering bespoke training, and the programme's effectiveness in creating a skilled workforce for businesses. The college looks forward to continuing to deliver successful SWAPs in the future.

If you are an employer with live vacancies who is interested in having your own SWAP, or someone who is unemployed and would like to learn more about the opportunities please reach out to our pre-employment team on 01934 411 147.

June 23rd marks an important day on the calendar for the engineering community and beyond – International Women in Engineering Day. This annual event serves as a powerful reminder of the contributions, achievements, and ongoing challenges faced by women in the field of engineering. It is a day to recognise and celebrate the remarkable women who have shattered glass ceilings and challenged stereotypes, while also highlighting the ongoing efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in the engineering profession.

Engineering has long been considered a male-dominated field, with women historically underrepresented in various engineering disciplines. However, at Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW), we are making conscious efforts to give the support and encouragement needed for women to pursue their dream career in the Engineering industry. This support has been in the form of scholarships, job opportunities and apprenticeships, encouraging women to break down the barriers and have a successful career in the industry.

One of the most significant challenges faced by women in engineering is the gender imbalance within the field. According to recent data from EngineeringUK, women make up only 16.5% of engineers in the UK. This disparity can be attributed to a multitude of factors, including societal stereotypes, lack of representation, unconscious bias, and systemic barriers. Women in Engineering Day serves as a platform to address these issues and advocate for change. By showcasing the accomplishments of women engineers and highlighting their stories, we can inspire more young women to consider engineering as a viable and rewarding career path.

Georgia was recently awarded a new Engineering and Green Skills scholarship, in partnership with the Luke Wheaton Trust, who impressed judges in her application with her love of engineering and desire to succeed.

When catching up with Georgia about the scholarship, she said: “I was so happy when I found out that I had been awarded the Luke Wheaton Legacy Trust Scholarship.

“I have really enjoyed my apprenticeship so far, as I have been able to meet apprentices from other companies as well as learning important skills about engineering and sustainability.

“I have enjoyed learning about different materials, their testing and application to different aircraft parts.

“When I complete my degree apprenticeship, I would like to further this understanding and research into material properties and look at cost effective and sustainable solutions to use in the aerospace industry.”

Another successful female engineer from within the college is Chloe, who’s job role is Engineering Assessor.

Chloe told us: “I was looking for an opportunity to develop my career in this direction when a perfect job came up at the college. This involved having more time directly influencing and developing up-and-coming engineers on their apprenticeships in a range of technical skills, within an often diverse and challenging environment.”

In recent years, efforts to increase gender diversity in engineering have gained momentum. The West of England Institute of Technology, for example, are 500% ahead of target in female learner numbers. By fostering an inclusive environment and breaking down barriers, these initiatives are helping to create a more diverse and vibrant engineering community.

While progress has undoubtedly been made, there is still work to be done. Women continue to face challenges such as unconscious bias, lack of representation in leadership positions, and the persistence of gender stereotypes. Recognising these obstacles and actively working to overcome them is crucial for achieving true gender parity in engineering. By embracing diversity, fostering an inclusive culture, and providing equal opportunities, we can harness the collective talents and perspectives of all individuals, irrespective of gender.

On International Women in Engineering Day, let us celebrate the achievements of women engineers, past and present, and acknowledge the incredible contributions they have made to society. It is a day to honour their resilience, brilliance, and innovation. But it is also a reminder that our efforts must extend beyond a single day. We must continue to advocate for equal opportunities, challenge gender biases, and support aspiring women engineers. By doing so, we can build a future where engineering is truly a field that embraces and empowers individuals of all genders.

Find out more about our engineering courses, by clicking here.

The Careers Advice Team here at Weston College introduced "My Future Month" earlier this year in March and we have been seeing the benefits ever since.

"My Future Month" combines virtual and face-to-face events to showcase various future opportunities available to our learners, including higher education, apprenticeships, gap years, and self-employment options.

To kick off the month, we provided a virtual program that offered learners a range of webinars, presentations, and talks. These resources were hosted on the Careers Advice Team's SharePoint site, enabling our learners to access information, advice, and guidance conveniently at any time, whether they were at college or at home.

As part of Weston College's "My Future Month," we hosted CareersFest 2023, a face-to-face event held in the Winter Gardens Ballroom. This college-wide gathering featured a marketplace with 28 industry representatives and 25 Higher Education Institutions. Over 1200 learners from Weston College, as well as groups of students from schools such as Priory Community School Academy, Broadoak Academy, Worle Community School Academy, and the King Alfred School Academy, attended the event.

The attendees had the opportunity to network with professionals, explore future career options, and discover various pathways. To encourage interaction with exhibitors, visitors participated in a Treasure Hunt, with a chance to win a prize. Imogen (Year 9 WCSA) and Freya (Year 11 Broadoak Academy) were the winning participants who received Amazon gift vouchers for their outstanding submissions.

Another exciting component of "My Future Month," was the Careers Advice Team’s CV competition that was open to all our full-time learners, as well as those undertaking a traineeship or apprenticeship between the ages of 16 and 19. The judging process involved collaboration between the Careers Advice Team and one of our partners from the Careers Excellence Hub, Hays, who also participated in CareersFest. The winners and runners-up, who have just been announced, from Weston College, Jack, Will, Meghan, Adele, Lucy, and Tim were thrilled to receive £50 and £25 Amazon vouchers as prizes for their outstanding efforts.

Tony Bird, the UK&I Specialism Director at Hays commented,  

“I had the pleasure of judging the Weston College CV writing competition recently on behalf of Hays, which formed part of ‘My Future Month’. I was inspired by the efforts the candidates had gone to, and the CVs are sure to impress employers looking to attract talent in the Southwest. As a resident of Weston-super-Mare, it made me quite proud!”  

The Careers Advice Team were really pleased with the volume and quality of submissions for the competition and are delighted to have collaborated with Hays for this event and is testament to the huge amount of work that goes into ensuring our learners are in a good position to secure their brighter futures!