Two graduates from the BA (Hons) Graphic Design, run in partnership with Bath Spa University, have taken up graduate designer roles with Dyson.

Amelia Hurrell and Laura Hughes both graduated with First Class Honours in 2013 and had been working as freelance designers as well as taking up intern positions - Amelia at Sky Creative, having won the New Designers Sky Award 2013, and Laura at Proctor and Stevenson, a prestigious web design company.

Thanks to the strong reputation of the College’s degree provision in Graphic Design, Victoria Norcross, Programme Co-ordinator for FdA and BA (Hons) Graphic Design, was contacted by Ben Tappenden, Creative Head of Graphics and Packaging at Dyson and asked to recommend some graduates for the role of Junior Designer. Amelia and Laura were both successful at interview.

Ben said: “The candidates from Weston College were strong in interview and had encouraging portfolios. Laura and Amelia are competent and exciting graduate designers with a good sense of fun, enthusiasm, confidence, professionalism and ambition in abundance.”

Victoria said: "The achievements of these students are testament to the excellent work-based opportunities they had whilst studying at Weston College. It's great to see them being so highly regarded and working in high-profile companies so soon after graduating."

Amelia said: “The BA (Hons) in Graphic Design degree at Weston College was the perfect springboard for me. It provided the necessary skills and experience - through work placements and communication with local design agencies - to be successful at interview and secure a graduate job with Dyson. I’ve really enjoyed my time at Dyson so far, having been involved in a wide range of projects that have allowed me to exercise the skills I learnt at the College, and I can’t wait to see what challenges await me in the future.”

Laura said: “Studying at Weston College equipped me with skills and real world experience to give me the best possible start to my career. If I hadn’t been to Weston I doubt I could have gained my position at Dyson. Since starting in my role I have been involved in a wide range of really interesting projects and been through a great graduate induction programme. It’s amazing to work for such a big company that is so well respected and always at the cutting edge of design." 

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.

A group of former art students are keeping the skills they learned alive through exhibitions and workshops at the town’s Old Quarry Studios in Queen’s Road

A collection of old industrial buildings was converted for artists’ use in the late 1990s and now there is a thriving group of painters, potters, sculptors, photographers and printmakers - almost all of whom trained at the College - making work there.

The artists have just held a group exhibition at the Rowan Tree tea rooms, next to the studios, and have regular open days on the first Saturday of each month.

Next week a group of current  BA students will be exhibiting at the gallery, and there are plans to run courses for students in the use of a wood-fired kiln, which has been built by studio member Simon Taylor.

Simon is also a Ceramic Lecturer and Course Leader for the mature UAL Arts Foundation programme, and works alongside his dad, ceramicist Sinclair Taylor. Simon has taught several of the studio members and is hoping to inspire the latest generation of student artists with his ‘Anagama’ kiln, which he thinks might be one of the smallest of its kind in the world.

He said: “ I built this kiln not just for personal use as a practicing ceramicist but also for my students at the College.

“Weston Quarry Studios houses many artists and designers who have progressed from the College’s Foundation and Degree Courses and are now working as practicing artists with some flourishing professional businesses. I am particularly proud that I have taught many of these artists who have continue to demonstrate high motivation and commitment to the arts initiated from their original training at the College.”

Vicki Campbell is one of the artists at the studios and is a former College student and lecturer. She said: “My time at the College was very encouraging and stimulating and the staff were great. That experience has led to me joining this studio and pursuing my creativity in a lovely environment.”

Joan Hall is in her 80s, but still loves to paint JMW Turner-inspired seascapes. She said: “the College was a great experience for me and it taught me to explore different techniques that I still use in my painting.”