The hospitality and catering industry is constantly growing and changing, which is why it’s perfect for anyone looking for an interesting future career. We’ve put together our top reasons why you should consider it!

Students at Weston College will be among the first in the country to study the new T Level qualification.

The College is one of just 54 providers selected to launch the new technical equivalent to A Levels.

T Levels will be available in 15 industry-related subjects, known as ‘pathways’. Weston College will deliver the Digital (software applications design and development) programme from September 2020 – two years before the full roll-out.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said: “T Levels have been described as the biggest overhaul in post-school education for 70 years.

“For Weston College to be at the forefront of this revolution is an honour and an exciting challenge. We’ve built a national reputation for the quality of our sixth form and helping to launch this pioneering programme only enhances that standing.

“It also represents a tremendous opportunity for school leavers in Weston-super-Mare and beyond.

“T levels are shaped by employers and benefit from the unique insights of industry leaders. This means learners will be equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to get ahead in the modern jobs market.”

Delivered over a two-year period, T Levels provide an alternative to A Levels and are aimed at 16 to 19-year-olds who would rather study work-related courses than traditional academic subjects. They have been launched to counter the long-held assumption that only A Levels and a degree can lead to a fulfilling job. Though, T Level students will still be able to progress to university or higher-level technical qualifications.

T Levels have been created by expert panels of employers, are also designed to deliver the necessary skills required to strengthen and grow the UK economy. They will provide a mix of industry-specific technical knowledge and practical skills; relevant maths, English and digital skills; and a work placement of at least 45 days.

Further education (FE) colleges are an essential cog in the education ‘machine’ in England.

As Principal of a college, you might say I’m biased.

But I’d argue that’s given me extensive, first-hand experience of how colleges help people of all ages and backgrounds make the most of their talents and ambitions. And these are only the direct benefits. If you consider the role colleges play and the influence they have in the wider communities, it’s clear they are in driving social mobility and boosting local and regional economies.

And these are only the direct benefits. If you take into account the role colleges play and the influence they have in the wider communities, it’s clear they are driving social mobility and boosting local and regional economies.

To put it bluntly, colleges matter – to their students, staff and local communities.

However, it’s no exaggeration to say their futures are in jeopardy due to the extensive and continued funding cuts affecting the sector.

For too long the vital work of colleges has been overlooked and underfunded.

The total college income in England has fallen by £1 billion since the start of the decade, which represents a funding cut of around 30%.

This drop in funding has led to:

• Fewer hours of teaching and support for young people
• Course closures
• A reduction in the number of learning opportunities for adults
• The value of staff pay falling by over 25% since 2009
• Job losses and recruitment problems
• College teachers earning £7,000 less on average than school teachers.

The situation is completely unsustainable and we need action now.

Fortunately that action is materialising in the form of the ‘Love our Colleges’ campaign, led by the Association of Colleges who are uniting the sector in pursuit of one overarching goal – appropriate funding of further education.

This includes:

• Increasing the 16-19 funding rate by 5% a year for the next five years, and extending the pupil premium to cover post-16 students
• Fully funding a National Retraining Scheme to support Level 3 to 5 skills
• Introducing a lifetime learning entitlement to fund skills training for all adults who have not previously achieved a level 3 qualification.

As well as making the case for extra government funding and fair pay in FE, ‘Love our Colleges’ is also highlighting the great work that goes on in colleges, and the brilliant staff that make it all possible.

The campaign is supported by UCU, Unison, Unite, GMB, NEU, NUS, TUC, ASCL and the Association of Colleges, who organise and co-ordinate a string of events and activities throughout the year.

But among the many great aspects of ‘Love our Colleges’ is that individual colleges and students can get involved to keep the issue at the top of the government’s agenda.

For instance, you can support the campaign by tweeting using the #LoveOurColleges hashtag to say why you think the government should invest more in colleges and their staff and students; and write to your local MP asking them to support fair funding in FE and sign Early Day Motion 1686 calling for urgent investment in FE colleges.

To find out more about Love our Colleges and its various events, take a look here.