Last week, our T Level: Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction learners took part in a Speed Interview Day alongside 11 different construction employers. This event provided them with the invaluable opportunity to secure a placement as part of their T Level programme.

The day started with the employers each giving 10-minute presentations to the learners about what their company offer, and how having a T Level placement would benefit both their business and the learner. Some examples of projects the learners could be working on for their placement included the project to restore the Grade II* Listed Birnbeck Pier, construction of Weston Airfield Primary School, and aiding the reconstruction of railway lines.

The presentations provided the learners with a comprehensive understanding of what each employer could offer in terms of placement opportunities, company culture, and potential career pathways. This well-rounded insight enabled the learners to make informed decisions about which three employers aligned best with their interests and aspirations, allowing them to select the companies they were most eager to engage with during the speed interview sessions.

Following the presentations, learners participated in three speed interviews with their preferred employers. During these interviews, they tackled typical interview questions and demonstrated why they would be the perfect fit for the placements on offer.

Thank you to the following employers for coming along and giving our learners such a beneficial experience (also see what the placement learners will get up to with each business!)

• North Somerset Council – Birnbeck Pier project management
• Smith and Brenson – North Somerset Council’s contractor for the Birnbeck Pier landside
• Haverstock – North Somerset Council’s architect for the Birnbeck Pier lanside
• Mackley – North Somerset Council’s contractor for the Birnbeck Pier structure
• Morgan Sindall – North Somerset Council’s contractor for the Tropicana improvement project
• Willmott Dixon – constructing Weston Airfield Primary School
• Tilbury Douglas - potential projects include education buildings or construction of healthcare centres
• Kier Construction - potential to work on projects such as new student accommodation or prison rooms
• Beard Construction - working on projects in Bristol
• DMS Drywall Systems - potential to work on new projects in the Bristol area
• Griffiths - potential to work on the new Bus Service Improvement Plan

Employer feedback:

"Your students were amazing, and we had a great day. Thank you for having us!"

"Was a great event with another strong cohort this year. We are also happy to offer a week of work experience for the other students we interviewed on the day as they were really engaged."

"The enthusiasm and ambition of today’s students show just how bright that future can be!"

"Well done to the learners on T Levels at Weston College today. Great to see your enthusiasm for the construction industry and meet some of you in the speed interviews."  

"Great T Level event run by Weston College this morning for the 1st yr T Level construction students. A chance to listen to presentations from all areas of the industry and then a speed interview session. Lovely to catch up with our Beard T Level student who was taking part in the morning. Thank you for our invite and the warm welcome."

Last month, the Student Engagement Team organised a fantastic Freshers’ Fair for nearly 1,200 Year 1 learners. The event featured a range of local businesses, charities, and attractions, showcasing all the brilliant opportunities available to our learners in and around Weston-Super-Mare.

Learners connected with local organisations, picked up freebies and vouchers, and discovered a range of activities and experiences. Attendees included sports and fitness organisations such as PureGym, Bristol City Robins Foundation, and Hutton Moor Leisure Centre, as well as food outlets like Nando’s and Miss Millies. Activity centres such as All Stars and Laser Quest were present, alongside essential local services including Avon and Somerset Police and Avon Fire and Rescue. Local charities including SWEDA, NACOA, Weston Hospicecare, and Talk Club also attended to promote the work they do in the community and encourage learners to help and volunteer where possible.

On top of this, there were many interactive activities and games for learners to enjoy throughout the event including hoop-shoot basketball, inflatable surf simulator, and a photobooth with props for students to get pictures with their friends. There were also many games like spin-the-wheel that allowed students to win prizes such as discounts, samples, and sweets.

The Student Engagement Team highlighted the many ways learners can get involved in the Students’ Union (SU), from joining clubs and societies across all campuses, to taking part in sports academies or going on exciting trips in both the UK and abroad. Learners can also join the Student Committee, taking on roles such as Student Representative, Apprentice Ambassador to give their peers a voice, or become part of the Student Leadership Team to help drive initiatives and lead positive change. 

A huge thank you to all the organisations who attended, and the Student Engagement Team for organising such a well-planned out and interactive event for the students!

To get involved in anything the SU has to offer, contact the Student Engagement Team at student.union@weston.ac.uk or visit the Student Engagement Hub.

Weston College was delighted to welcome back its alumnus, Dave Trevaskus (now Head of Retail Training at the LEGO Group), for a full day of workshops on Thursday 2nd of October. Dave’s visit brought energy, insight, and a genuine sense of connection as he shared lessons from his own journey and encouraged learners and staff to see every challenge as a stepping stone and to encourage a playful mindset.

Dave’s sessions revolved around three core themes: learning through play, sustaining curiosity, and embracing bravery. Drawing on more than 30 years of experience, he made it clear that real-life careers seldom follow a straight line, and that’s okay. He stressed how powerful it is to push beyond your comfort zone, because that’s where growth happens.

In his talk (featured in the video), Dave said, “If you don’t make mistakes, you won’t create anything new.” He reminded the audience that mistakes aren’t signs of failure, they’re part of the process. He also urged everyone to “be curious first, and confident later” to ask questions, experiment, and let that spirit guide your next steps.

Dave opened the day with a playful but meaningful quiz, helping participants explore the LEGO Group’s history and values while also giving a peek into his own professional path. It sparked laughter, curiosity, and healthy rivalry - the quiz champion walked away with a special LEGO set.

One of the standout challenges had groups using just six LEGO bricks to build a duck. Despite everyone having the same minimal materials, the results were wildly varied. That playful exercise drove home a serious point: our perspectives differ, and that diversity is a strength. It showed how creativity, and the courage to try something unexpected, can turn the same raw materials into wholly unique outcomes.

Throughout the workshops, Dave returned repeatedly to his message about mistakes. He said, “Don’t be afraid to break things - break assumptions,” and encouraged the group to reframe errors as experiments rather than missteps. In doing so, he helped foster a culture of resilience, curiosity, and more daring thinking.

Dave commented that for him the visit was more than a speaking engagement, it was a chance to return and to stir excitement and possibility in the next generation. His passion for lifelong learning, creative thinking, and courageous action resonated deeply, leaving attendees energized and more willing to lean into uncertainty.

@westoncollege Weston College alumni, Dave, has made his way back to Weston College to host multiple workshops for both learners and staff about his career journey, learning through play and his role at @lego ♬ original sound - WestonCollege