The most outstanding individuals and institutions that the FE sector has to offer have been recognised in the shortlist for the 2020 Tes FE Awards.

It's been revealed that Weston College has been shortlisted for two awards; Professional Services of the Year and Employer Engagement.

Tes FE editor Stephen Exley said: “Excellent practice exists right across the further education sector, and those shortlisted for the Tes FE Awards are the cream of the crop. Our judges were extremely impressed with the calibre of entries. To be shortlisted is an extraordinary achievement"

The winners will be revealed at a gala awards evening at the Grosvenor House Hotel, Park Lane, London on Friday 20 March 2020.

Three Weston College learners are just a step away from the international final of the prestigious WorldSkills competition. At Weston College we embrace the competition and encourage learners to build resilience and test themselves, so they are ready for employment.

Chloe Williams, Joel Keen and Thomas Griffin have been invited to join the UK Talent Development Programme after progressing through numerous rounds of their respective skills events. The national final was held last month at WorldSkills UK LIVE at the NEC in Birmingham.

The trio will now undertake an 18-month training programme with WorldSkills UK, before finding out if they have won a place in the final UK squad to compete in Shanghai, China in 2021.

Chloe, 19, of Burnham-on-Sea, is competing in the beauty therapy event, Joel Keen, 19, of Bristol, in the CNC (Computer Numerically Controlled) Milling competition and Thomas Griffin, 19, of Weston-super-Mare, in the web design event.

The WorldSkills international final takes place every two years and is known as the ‘Skills Olympics’. The event features over 1,000 of the world’s most talented apprentices and students, each battling it out to be named the World Champion for their skill. Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal of Weston College, paid tribute to their talent and efforts.

He said: “For Chloe, Joel and Thomas to reach the national final of this pioneering and competitive event is an achievement in itself. But to be selected in the UK team – one step away from a global competition – is testament to their outstanding ability and determination to succeed.

“They are an inspiration to every Weston College learner, and we all wish them luck in final selection.”

Ben Blackledge, Deputy Chief Executive WorldSkills UK, said: “Congratulations to Chloe, Joel and Thomas – this is a life-changing moment. They have already excelled in the WorldSkills UK regional and national competitions – and now they are facing an even tougher test as they look to secure their place to represent the UK on the world stage.

“They have dedicated hundreds of hours to improving their skills to get to this level – but will put in many months more of hard work with our training managers in a bid to transform their careers and lives.”

The previous WorldSkills competition was held earlier this year in Kazan, Russia, where Team UK was awarded 19 medals. By competing in the competition, WorldSkills UK is able to identify global best practice, research and insight that will help the new UK government to deliver world class standards in technical education.

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This week marked the official opening of Weston College’s Health and Active Living Skills Centre. The multi-million flagship facility is based at the College’s Loxton Campus and is set to inspire and educate new generations of students to enter the health and active sectors.

The grand opening was marked by an event held at the Centre, where key industry and community figures were invited to hear how the facility had been devised through a partnership approach. The audience heard from Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive, Weston College, Tim Bowles, West of England Mayor, Pat Lam, Director of Rugby, Bristol Bears and Robert Woolley, Chief Executive, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust.

The guests were then treated to a tour of the facility from students including skills demonstrations in the simulation room and science laboratories.

The aim of the bespoke facility is to provide learners with knowledge of the healthcare and sport sectors as well as vital industry skills. The centre brings together the College’s health and social care, sports therapy and active living courses into one facility, which will benefit students, businesses and the wider community.

It features a state-of-the-art training hospital ward, science laboratories, a full size 3G pitch, a full size rugby pitch, a multi-gym and a sports hall. Dr Paul Phillips, CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, said: “This outstanding new training centre is the latest step in our drive to provide students with the very best learning facilities and resources.

“We have worked with key business partners to ensure that the Health and Active Living Skills Centre will tackle the current skills shortage in the sector and address the longer-term issues that affect our health service and the health of the local population.”

The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through the Local Growth Fund, administered by the West of England Combined Authority contributed £5.4 million towards the project.

Tim Bowles, West of England Mayor, said: “With so many leading sports teams and top notch medical facilities in the West of England to inspire people, I’m pleased that Weston College’s new centre will be able to give those people the skills they need to start and progress their careers right here in the West of England.”

Prof Steve West, Chair of the West of England LEP, said: “We need to train more people for future careers in our hospitals and community services - this new skills centre will improve the quality of care and improve people’s lives. With more highly qualified professionals, and with people trained in a wider range of disciplines, people will be better cared for.”