Creating brighter futures

This month, our Music and Production students had the incredible opportunity to take a 12-day trip to Nashville due to the generous funding from the Turing Scheme. The trip offered students the chance to explore the city whilst giving them a better understanding of the music industry, further developing their personal and professional growth.  

The Turing Scheme is an amazing initiative that provides financial support for education providers, enabling students to take part in international study and work placements. This support opens the door to global learning experiences that not only enrich education but also provide cultural awareness and career growth. For many of the students on this trip, it was a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience, with some having never left the UK before, let alone travelled across the world. The scheme made the adventure extremely accessible, with some students even attending completely free of charge.  

Despite an unexpected delay caused by airport closures that pushed their departure back three days, and weather warnings during their stay, the students remained upbeat and resilient. They took everything in stride, embracing every moment with positivity and maturity.  

After arriving in Nashville, the group’s itinerary was jam-packed! They visited world-renowned music landmarks such as the Johnny Cash Museum, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum where they got to immerse themselves in the history and evolution of different genres. However, the most beneficial visits included Full Circle Music and WeiRock Entertainment as they gave the students valuable industry and studio experience, giving them the chance to network and build connections with Music industry professionals.

They also got the chance to attend tours of iconic locations such as the old and new Grand Ole Opry, Musicians Hall of Fame, various recording studios, and the Ryman Auditorium which allowed students to see first-hand the spaces where music history was made. This gave them a behind-the-scenes look into their future careers with the chance to ask questions.  

Workshops also played a vital role in the educational value of the trip. Students took part in a marketing workshop led by Rick Barker, best known for managing Taylor Swift in her early career, and a vocal training session with Brett Manning, an industry-renowned coach. Peer songwriting sessions encouraged collaboration, with students sharing their work and receiving feedback in a supportive environment. Some even performed on a public piano in one of the museums, capturing the attention of visitors with their music. The final workshop offered a chance to present their songs to a panel of professionals, giving them an invaluable taste of real industry feedback.  

On top of this, the trip also offered a range of cultural experiences. Students enjoyed street performances, a fantastic evening show at the Grand Ole Opry, visits to Madame Tussauds, and free time exploring the famous Broadway strip. They stopped at the world-renowned Carter Vintage Guitars which gave them a hands-on look at top-tier instruments, and they also enjoyed lots of delicious food during their trip which was definitely a highlight! 

This trip made a lasting impact, allowing students to gain perspective on what a career in music really looks like. By meeting professionals, exploring legendary venues, and participating in practical workshops, they developed a clearer understanding of the dedication, creativity, and perseverance required to thrive in the industry. It also boosted their independence and confidence, providing them with essential life skills of navigating life in a city.  

None of this would have been possible without the dedication and support of staff members Oz Cahill, Tom Manning, and Laura Trace, who went above and beyond to ensure the trip was well-organised, safe, and unforgettable. Thanks to their efforts and the incredible funding from the Turing Scheme, this Nashville trip was an unforgettable opportunity that has helped shape our future Music industry professionals.  

This curriculum trip forms part of the Music 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.  

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. 

This May, Somerset Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Business Brunch at The Grove at our Knightstone Campus, where local employers will have the opportunity to stay in touch with existing contacts and make new connections.

Somerset Chamber of Commerce networking events are a great way to get out and meet new people. This event is also a great opportunity to meet contacts face-to-face while enjoying a delicious brunch, served by our very own Weston College students!

We will be joined by representatives from Somerset Chamber of Commerce’s event sponsor Westcotts Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors. The company has been collaborating with businesses and individuals in the region for over 30 years and has offices across the South West, including Tallford House, in Walliscote Road, in Weston-super-Mare.

The Business Brunch will also be an opportunity to hear from Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive, of Weston College. Pat has worked in the public sector for over 30 years, 17 of which have been within the Further Education sector. Pat joined Weston College in July 2024 as Principal and Chief Executive, having previously held the post of Deputy Chief Executive at the Bedford College Group.

Highlighting her leadership capabilities, Pat was shortlisted for the FE Leader of the Year category in 2019 and Bedfordshire Business Leader in the same year. Driving organisational development, Pat has engaged with and delivered national policy changes, driven significant growth, and led successful college mergers and the acquisition of independent training providers.

Notably her work on Estate strategy has seen Pat raising close to £50m in grants, building net zero carbon college sites, working with local councils on large regeneration projects, and the redevelopment of old education sites, benefiting future generations of learners.

As a qualified accountant, Pat maintained outstanding financial health at The Bedford College Group throughout her tenure there as Deputy Chief Executive. This success has led Pat to start a PhD at Oxford University exploring how FE can achieve sustainable finances and how the sector can develop systems leadership to benefit from the research findings.

Pat says, “I am looking forward to sharing my insights into my career journey in the public sector at the Weston Business Brunch this May. How public sector plays a key role in underpinning the basic fabric of society. I look forward to sharing my insights of the amazing careers that support the work that is uniquely theirs to do. This event will be a brilliant opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and to connect with local businesses.” 

David Crew, Managing Director of Somerset Chamber of Commerce, says, “Somerset Chamber of Commerce is the most well-connected business membership organisation in the county and our networking events are a great way for businesses to make their own connections and promote their companies.

“We are delighted to be able to work with Weston College and our sponsor Westcotts for our new business brunch and I am looking forward to making my own new connections and hearing from the college’s Principal and Chief Executive, Pat Jones.”

Get your ticket for the Weston Business Brunch, here.

Recently, we caught up with former Weston College student Dave Trevaskus, about his journey from studying in Weston, to now being the Head of Retail Training at the LEGO Group.

Read the full interview, below:

Who are you and what is your job role?

My name is Dave Trevaskus and I am Head of Retail Training at the LEGO Group. We have over 1,000 stores around the world, and my team helps roughly 860 of them to create amazing experiences for anyone who walks in the door. We work closely with the LEGO Designers and the Retail Managers to make sure we design and deliver the learning in a way that works for a flexible retail workforce, meaning that everywhere from a small high street store in Mexico to the huge LEGOLAND in Shanghai you get a consistent LEGO experience but delivered with a local flavour.

Can you tell us a bit about your journey from Weston College to where you are now?

I’m not sure you’ve got enough space to cover the entire journey I’ve been on! I studied Maths, Business and Spanish in the late 1990’s but really didn’t know what my career would look like. I found full-time education a challenge, and I wanted to get into working as soon as possible so I didn’t go on to university. Instead, I found myself in several sales jobs in call centres before moving on to car sales (I actually worked in the old MJ Cook & Sons Renault garage which was on the site of the current South West Skills Campus on Locking Road!) and then into a pretty demanding job as a Recruitment Consultant in the global financial crisis in 2008.

Looking back, how did your own career path evolve over time?

I had no clue what I wanted to do except enjoy myself and earn money so I could watch football! Of course if you see yourself as an Engineer, Scientist, Teacher etc then you need to have relevant qualifications and a structured path ahead of you but I really didn’t know what I wanted to do so I didn’t have any of that.

Looking back, I always loved learning but didn’t thrive in a formal learning environment, so my career developed by learning from my own mistakes, making good and bad choices, and a large amount of luck putting myself in the right place at the right time. I’ve benefitted from working under some amazing leaders who have inspired me to be the best version of myself I can be, and I think that’s all we can realistically aspire to be – better today than I was yesterday.

Were there any pivotal moments or unexpected opportunities that shaped your career in ways you didn’t anticipate?

Looking back at my career, I have seen growth or opportunity arise through moments of challenge and struggle. I’ve been fired from a job for underperforming, I’ve quit a toxic working environment, I’ve seen an employer go bankrupt, I’ve been made redundant during a pandemic – and each time I’ve learned something that I can take to the next place I find myself in.

I landed in a Learning and Training job luckily; after leaving recruitment in 2009, my wife had a job at a training company in Portishead who paid me to go to call centres on behalf of Nokia to promote their latest smartphones. Within 5 years I was managing the Nokia Training Academy – I had accidentally discovered a job I was good at and thoroughly enjoyed.   

How important has adaptability been in your career - are there any specific examples you would like to include?

I firmly believe that you get nowhere by sitting around waiting for chances. It’s much easier to find work when you’re in work, so I’d do anything to keep working no matter what the job was.

At times in the early/mid 2000s I found myself working in a pub in Wrington, I was a part-time night porter at Cadbury House Hotel or parking cars in the winter rain at Bristol Airport but these are the times I learned the most about myself, my self-belief and my resilience.

Take any opportunity to learn something – since working in Training I have learned how to facilitate learning effectively, how to present to large audiences, how the brain learns from a neuroscience perspective and how to use certain psychology tools to build relationships and influence people. All of this now helps me empower tens of thousands of retail staff to create awesome experiences for shoppers and their kids.

What advice would you give to students who feel uncertain about their future career path?

Geroge Clooney sold shoes, Albert Einstein worked in a patent office, James Dyson studied classic literature and Nicky Minaj worked in a seafood restaurant – where you are now, does not define where you will go. Be curious and have an open mind. Do whatever you can to work, no matter where you go, and this might possibly open a door or open your mind to an opportunity you didn’t know was there.

When I was getting two buses from Yatton to Oldmixon every morning for two years I had no idea I’d end up working for the world’s most reputable brand, but I wanted to learn about the world, and I wanted to see more of it in action.

In a world where industries and job roles are constantly evolving, how can young professionals stay open to new opportunities and remain agile in their careers?

Be brave and hang around outside your comfort zone – try new things. If you’re a promising and aspiring Engineer of course you need to qualify in an Engineering subject, but is there another way of learning in your world? What else can you try? Also become familiar with tools like AI because, whether we like it or not, AI is going to be as common as smartphones or electricity itself – you don’t need to know exactly HOW it works, but it is going to power everything so we’d better get used to it!

If you could go back and give your younger self one piece of career advice, what would it be?

This is hard because I love my life and my job right now, and everything I have done or experienced has led me to where I am. Every mistake I’ve made or every choice I’ve faced has given me the learning opportunity I needed to get here. I’d say I should have travelled more, or sometimes not taken the path of least resistance, for example I only studied Spanish A Level because I could speak Spanish at the time so I thought it would be easy but because I wasn’t challenged I ended up failing where I could have used my time better.

Is there anything else that you would like to add?

I referenced it above, but I truly believe that Curiosity is our biggest superpower. A desire to understand a subject or a product, seeking to know more about something or someone is what stands us apart and builds unbreakable bonds. I think it can appear to be a scary world at times and it’s not going to get better by doing things alone. Empathy and human connection is the only way to improve ourselves and the world around us.

A big thank you to Dave for his time.

If you would like to study at Weston College, you can find out more about our courses, by clicking here.