Weston College has been shortlisted for three major apprenticeship awards at the national AAC Apprenticeship Awards.

The FE Week and AELP AAC Apprenticeship Awards celebrate excellence in apprenticeship delivery in the UK.

Weston College has been shortlisted in three categories:

• Digital Apprenticeship Provider of the Year
• Promoting Apprenticeships Campaign of the Year
• Overall Apprenticeships Provider of the Year

This accolade demonstrates the College’s dedication to working with employers and industry; it currently works with over 2,500 business and delivers over 50 different apprenticeships.

This announcement is the latest in a string of highly impressive accolades received in 2019, with the most recent seeing the College named Lloyds Bank’s National Employer of the Year.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said: “This is fantastic recognition of the hard work we put into our apprenticeship delivery.

“At Weston College we are committed to producing as many opportunities for our learners as possible. We are playing an important role in creating the workforce of tomorrow, working closely with employers and learners, to ensure our offer is meeting everyone’s needs.

“To be recognised for the specialist area of digital apprenticeships demonstrates our strength in this sector, as we also embark on the Digital T Level and the Institute of Technology in 2020.

“To be a finalist in the Promoting Apprenticeships Campaign of the Year recognises our innovative approach to marketing apprenticeships to schools and the wider community.

“And to be shortlisted nationally for overall apprenticeship provision, truly showcases the exceptional work of Weston College staff, and further cements why we are creating brighter futures.”

Managing director of FE Week publisher Lsect Shane Mann said: “Nominations were up by 20 per cent this year, which is great and shows there is a real appreciation across the sector for celebrating individuals and organisations.”

He said the judging panel, which included representatives such as CocaCola’s Sharon Blyfield and chair of the Apprenticeship Ambassador Network Jason Holt, found it “incredibly tough” to decide the finalists.

The winners will be announced on the 3rd March 2020, in Birmingham.

Weston College catering learners have had the opportunity to pick the brains of one of the world’s top chefs.

Marco Pierre White visited the College’s Grove Restaurant and Kitchen this week for a question and answer session with learners.

Marco was interviewed by Matthew, a Commis Chef Apprentice, and Josh, currently studying the Professional Cookery Award. Among a series of searching questions, they asked what it was like be a world-renowned chef, about his industry experience and for some top tips.

Matthew also asked Marco to name the strangest combination of food he has tasted.

“I’m a classicalist – I don’t like strange combos,” answered Marco. “I like salt and vinegar, cheese and onion – who wants salmon with liquorish?!

“In my opinion the more you do to food the more you take away from the food. I believe that, as chefs progress, dishes become simpler because they start to have confidence in themselves. So, have confidence in yourself.”

Marco shared an inspirational story about leaving Allerton High School in Leeds without any qualifications. After deciding to train as a chef, he began working in the kitchen at the Hotel St George in Harrogate, before moving to the Box Tree in Ilkley.

Arriving in London as an 19-year-old with “£7.36, a box of books and a bag of clothes”, Marco began his classical training as a commis chef under Albert Roux and Michel Roux at Le Gavroche – one of the UK’s top restaurants.

Aged just 24, he and a business partner opened their own restaurant – Harveys – and, nine years later, he became the first British chef and, at the time, the youngest chef be awarded three Michelin stars.

During these years, Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal and a host of now well-known chefs all benefitted from his tutelage. These include Bryn Williams, Matt Tebbutt, Robert Reid, Thierry Busset, Jason Atherton and James Stocks.

Josh asked if Marco had any advice for those coming to the end of their course.

Marco said: “Trust people around you, work as a team and stay focussed. Take advantage of opportunities that are presented to you.

“You may have to make personal sacrifices to achieve your dream so don’t look back and have regrets. The more you work the quicker you learn; the more you invest, the more you will take back.

“Knowledge is key, so find a chef who can teach and inspire you.”

Matthew, who hopes to open his own restaurant one day, appreciated the opportunity to attend the inspirational event.

He said: “It was great to speak with Marco. It was interesting to hear his thoughts about the creation of dishes and his honesty about how tough the job can be. “It’s great that the college have the contacts to give us this opportunity and the guest chef masterclasses we benefit from as part of our course.”

If you’re interested in a front-of-house or chef course:

• See list of courses for 16-19 year olds
• See apprenticeship vacancies
• Find out about our next open event.

An adult learner at Weston College has been recognised for the exemplary standard of his work on a HR management course.

Phil Davies, HR advisor, has now completed the Level 5 Intermediate Certificate in HR Management and won the CIPD Student of the Year Award 2019 (West of England Branch) at the CIPD People Management Awards. The awards celebrate and reward the outstanding achievements and contributions made by HR and Learning and Development professionals.

The 2019 winners were announced at a ceremony at the UWE Exhibition and Conference Centre.

Diane Steer, a Lecturer in HR at Weston College, said: “Phil was nominated for the award because his work was consistently of an exemplary standard. He is an outstanding learner who always contributed to class discussions and debates and was able to relate theory to his own practice. He is a credit to the HR profession.”

The College’s Level 5 Intermediate Certificate in Human Resource Management is a one-year course that’s studied one evening a week. It covers a range of units including developing professional practice; business issues and the context of HR; using information in HR; employment law; resourcing and talent planning; reward management.

Phil said: “I’m proud to have achieved a formal qualification that recognises and validates my years of practical HR experience. Many thanks to my employer for supporting and encouraging me and to my lecturers at Weston College who skilfully guided me in my studies."

Helen George, the College’s Dean of Professional Studies, said: “This is the second time a College Level 5 CIPD learner has won a CIPD Student of the Year Award. This is a real credit to both the excellent learners and staff here at Weston College. We are very proud of Phil and this his achievements.”

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