WorldSkills recently announced the finalists of 2023, including 3 Weston College learners from Digital, Floristry and Catering. This is an incredible achievement for the learners and the college, and it would not have been possible without the immense support from the staff who entered their students into the competition.

We were lucky enough to catch up with Jo Matthews, the floristry lecturer who has successfully guided one of her learners, Sarah, to the final!

Here’s what Jo had to say:

“My name is Jo, and I am currently a Floristry Lecturer running a part time introductory 6-week course aimed at students who are interested in moving on to a formal qualification. The short courses range from compete beginners to individuals who have experience for advanced workshops. I am also overseeing a City and Guild Level Two Floristry course which this year has followed onto City and Guilds Level Three.

“I have worked in the industry for several decades as an independent florist and in teaching which has given me a wealth of knowledge. It has given me a solid foundation of technical skills which are the building blocks for a career.

“This is the first year I put learners forward for WorldSkills, and two entered. The initial stage of the competitions was to submit photographic evidence of a sustainable wreath. If successful, you would progress onto the National selection. I am pleased to say both students reached the Nationals.

“After this, they were set another task which took them to the next heat and were also asked to complete a further two designs at the venue – a hand-tied hostess and a table design for a VIP reception – both students had received excellent feedback.

“Students had to wait four weeks to find out the outcome. Sarah reached the final and Tessa has been put on the reserve list. I am incredibly proud of their success.

“The next stage for Sarah is to start the process of building and expanding her skills to ensure that she can be the best and to achieve more than she thought possible. For me, I will provide a mentorship to ensure that Sarah is competition ready.

“I feel incredibly proud of both students who took the opportunity to complete they both took on this even though they had incredible busy working lives.

“After having had the opportunity to take part in many competitions myself, representing and winning regional and national competitions, as well as traveling to an international competition. It has given me confidence and valued the experience which I have carried through my working life. I am sure that Sarah and Tess will have learnt a lot from this process to date and I will watch on in anticipation to see where their journey takes them as I know this is just the beginning.”

Find out more about our Floristry courses, here!

Here at Weston College, the welfare and wellbeing of staff is one of our top priorities. Our fantastic Welfare Officer, Emma, recently announced college-wide ‘Wellbeing Champions’, whereby 20 members of staff across 15 departments have volunteered to offer guidance and support for any work or personal issues any colleague may be struggling with.

We caught up with Emma, who told us about her inspiration for setting up this initiative, and what the impact she hopes it will have on the staff and the college: “Early intervention is crucial when it comes to our mental health but sadly, mental health and wellbeing services are saturated with long waiting lists when help is needed. I wanted to set up a team who could support me in ensuring that all staff have a safe place to talk openly about any worries or concerns they have.

“The Champions are all passionate about mental health and wellbeing, and they have been recruited to work alongside my role as Staff Welfare officer in supporting the wellbeing of all staff within the college.

“We are fully aware how the impact of the challenges that we all face outside of college, can impact how we are feeling at work, so the Champions are happy to offer general support with any issues you may be experiencing in your work or personal life. It is also the responsibility of the Champions to make referrals to myself if further support is required.

“It can often feel difficult to open up at work (or in general), so this new initiative has been put in place to make it easier for staff to have a confidential chat and feel supported at work; Champions will never pressure anyone to chat if they do not want to. We have all heard that prevention is better than the cure and this is never truer than with mental health. It is time to recognize our mental health as essential to our physical health. At Weston college it is important to me that we work hard to send the message the importance of reaching out early for help when we notice something doesn’t feel right.

“I am really passionate and excited to be rolling this project out and I hope it will make a difference to individuals and, in turn, the whole college.”

If you would like to find out more about welfare at Weston College, click here.

The Weston College Group is pleased to announce an exciting collaboration with University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation (UHBW) to provide an exceptional opportunity for learners on health-related courses. As part of this partnership, UHBW will be offering all successful Weston College learners on Level 3 health-related courses an automatic interview for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship program.

The Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship program is a prestigious and comprehensive opportunity for individuals to embark on a rewarding career in nursing while gaining valuable academic qualifications. By partnering with Weston College, UHBW aims to support aspiring nurses in the local community and contribute to the development of a highly skilled and diverse healthcare workforce.

Key details of the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship program, include:

• A direct pathway to a nursing career - successful learners will have the chance to bypass the traditional application process and secure an automatic interview with UHBW for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship. This exclusive opportunity provides a direct pathway for learners to pursue their passion for nursing and enter the healthcare profession.

• High-quality education and training - the program encompasses a comprehensive curriculum that equips learners with the essential knowledge and skills required to become competent and compassionate registered nurses. The curriculum has been carefully designed in accordance with industry standards and is regularly updated to align with the latest healthcare practices. Apprentices will benefit from the expertise and mentorship of UHBW's experienced nursing staff, gaining a solid foundation of skills and knowledge essential for a successful nursing career.

• Hands-on clinical experience - apprentices enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on experience through clinical placements within UHBW, one of the region's leading healthcare organisations. This practical exposure provides learners with real-world insights, allowing them to apply their theoretical knowledge in a supportive and professional environment.

• Financial support and employment - apprentices enrolled in the program will receive a competitive salary while studying, allowing them to earn while they learn. This financial support, combined with the opportunity to work within UHBW, a leading healthcare organisation, ensures a stable and rewarding career pathway from the outset.

• Personal and professional growth - As the employer UHBW, will enable a wealth of professional development opportunities for the apprentice, allowing them to grow both personally and professionally. UHBW is committed to supporting its apprentices throughout their journey, providing mentorship, guidance, and ongoing training to ensure their success in the nursing profession.

By offering all successful Weston College learners on Level 3 health-related courses an automatic interview for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship program, UHBW is demonstrating its commitment to investing in local talent and fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals. This collaboration will not only benefit individual Weston College learners but also contribute to the enhancement of healthcare services and patient care within the region.

Interested learners are encouraged to contact Weston College for further information on the application process. UHBW and Weston College are excited about the prospects that this collaboration presents and look forward to welcoming aspiring nurses to join them on this exceptional journey.