The Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Councillor Ciaran Cronnelly, visited South West Skills Campus this morning to greet and give well wishes to the brand-new learners in for their Welcome Day!

His presence at the college symbolised the town's commitment to fostering a vibrant and supportive educational environment for its students.

The Welcome Day gave the new learners the opportunity to meet their classmates, their teachers, and see the facilities ahead of their start date in September. Subject areas including Engineering, Motor Vehicle, Construction and more held a series of activities for the learners, to engage them in the topics and give a taste of what’s to come.

Following a short introduction from Richard Hanney, the Head of Construction, the Mayor spoke to the learners about the opportunities that lie ahead while studying at Weston College, the benefits of working in the Construction, Engineering or Motor Vehicle industry, and how he got to where he is now since his college days.

He was then given a tour of the fantastic facilities throughout South West Skills Campus, and immersed himself in the activities taking place, engaging with the learners as he made his way round the campus.

Richard Hanney told us after: “We were so grateful the Mayor could take the time out of his busy schedule to visit us on Welcome Day. His words were very inspiring, and his presence was very much appreciated on such an important day. We look forward to seeing the learners begin their courses in September, and having the Mayor at the college again in the future!”

Find out about our Construction courses, here.

T Levels are fast becoming one of the most popular avenues for gaining both experience in the industry and an academic qualification. With the digital world everchanging and evolving, learning from the experts within the industry, is the most effective way to develop knowledge and skills in the area.

We recently caught up with John Banks, T Levels and Skills Bootcamps Lead from the Apprenticeships Team at Lloyds Banking Group, who told us about their experience with T Levels so far!

“We first took on a T Level group in April 2022; we started at a smaller scale with just 6 students, but have scaled up to 70 placements in 2023. We have partner colleges in our key hub locations of Bristol, London, Manchester and Halifax.

“Overall, we have been so impressed with the application and initial tech competence of our digital learners. During placements, students have built chatbots, designed web pages and created code. They have also delivered presentations and organised team meetings and away days – we have been very impressed!

“We believe Lloyds Banking Group is a great opportunity for industry placement as we are so much more than the common misconception that we are ‘just a bank’; behind our high street presence there is an engine room of software developers, data analysts and cyber security teams who work on our customer applications and keep customer detail safe. There are plenty of tech roles for students to undertake and develop their technical skills. Whilst on placement the students also get a real feel for the workplace environment and develop key interpersonal and communication skills.

“We began working further with Weston College earlier this year as we expanded the T Level placement to our Bristol hub. We already have an existing relationship and share the same ethos and passion for early careers. What is impressive about the college is the learning environment they create for students and their dedication for creating opportunities for young people.

“I am a huge advocate of quality work placements and the value it gives to students. What I would say to anyone considering T Level placements is that it is a two-way street; as employers, we create the opportunity but we are also on the receiving end of fresh insight and access to talented young people, with the opportunity to create a pathway into a career which is particularly appealing in the tech space, given the digital skills shortage.”

Find out more about Digital T Levels, here!

The service sectors faculty recently held their end of year celebration in the Knightstone Bistro at Weston College, to award the achievements of learners’ outstanding performance and dedication throughout the academic year.

The Service Sector Department at Weston College encompasses a diverse range of courses, including Catering & Hospitality, Education & Early Years, Hair & Beauty and Digital. These programs aim to equip students with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in the dynamic and ever-expanding service industry.

Over 160 learners attended the event in support of their peers and the event was hosted by Sandra Bull, Dean of the Faculty, who praised the students for their unwavering commitment and perseverance. She emphasized the importance of their chosen fields and highlighted the immense opportunities awaiting them in the service sector.

Each of the four subject areas presented the ‘Employer of the Year’, ‘Apprentice of the Year’ and ‘Learner of the Year’ award, based on nominations from teachers and peers across the faculty. Reasons for nominations and winners ranged from exemplary academic performance, strong work ethic, leadership skills, and contributions to their courses.

The winners were:

Digital Employer Nomination- Maple from SenseIT

Digital Apprentice of the year- Rion

Digital Full-time learner of the year – Luke

Hair and Beauty Employer Nomination- Ellie from Aesthetica

Hair and Beauty Apprentice of the year- Kate

Hair and Beauty Full-time learner of the year – Kiera

Education and Early Years Employer Nomination- Ruby from Little Bears

Education and Early Years Apprentice of the year- Amy

Education and Early Years Full-time learner of the year – Callie

Hospitality Employer Nomination- Anthony from The Rising Sun

Hospitality Apprentice of the year- Owen

Hospitality Full-time learner of the year – Sophie

Sandra Bull, Dean of the Faculty, commented on the success of the event: “I am so proud of all the learners and their achievements from the past year. It has been an absolute pleasure watching everyone develop their skills in their chosen industry, and I cannot wait to see what they go on to achieve following their time at the college.”

The end-of-year celebration at Weston College's Service Sector Department not only recognized the exceptional achievements of its students but also served as a reminder of the college's commitment to nurturing talent and preparing individuals for success in their chosen fields. The event left everyone inspired and eager to embark on their professional journeys, armed with the knowledge and recognition they had gained during their time at Weston College.