Weston College is delighted to be invited to join the World Skills UK Innovation Network.

WorldSkills UK is an independent charity and a partnership between employers, education and governments. Their mission is to raise standards in apprenticeships and technical education so more young people get the best start in work and life. Traditionally this is done by offering learners additional training, through national and international competitions, alongside their studies, which also help to improve confidence and future potential.

Being part of this Network is a huge honour for the College and recognises its commitment to ensuring learners advance their vocational and technical skills to the highest level. As part of the Innovation Network the College will have access to:

• Tools and insights to enable it to see how its performance through competition activity compares with other colleges.
• Resources and exchange of good practice to support greater use of competition practice, across its curriculum.
• Insights into good practice from TVET activities in other WorldSkills nations to support the introduction of new techniques in curriculum practice.
• Exchanges and sessions with organisations/colleges, both nationally and internationally and Input from WorldSkills UK employers who are training to top of their game to support practices that raise standards and help meet employer needs.

Weston College has a long and successful track record in creating UK medal winners over the years at both local, national and international levels. For example, in 2019 (when the competitions last took place):

Zoe Clark, aged 17 (at the time of competing), previously from Gordano School, competed in Beauty Therapy where she was a national finalist.

Thomas Griffin, aged 19 (at the time of competing) previously from Broadoak Academy, competed in Web Design he’s was a national finalist and got through to the UK Squad selection process.

Joel Keen, aged 19 (at the time of competing), previously home schooled, competed in CNC Milling, he’s was a national finalist and got through to the UK Squad selection process.

Chloe Williams, aged 19 (at the time of competing), previously from King Alfred's school, competed in Beauty Therapy and successfully secured a place in the UK Squad, to compete in China later this year.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive, Weston College, commented: “We are delighted to be part of this Network and despite the pandemic, we are determined that students feel inspired to grow their skills to build excellence for themselves and the UK.

“We have so many talented students at the College and our goal is to ensure that their talent is nurtured and progressed so that they get the recognition they deserve.

“Our lockdown strategy is very much to continue to showcase excellence and champion the WorldSkills ethos in order to build back better. Being part of this Network will ensure we can access the very best resources for our students to sustain their levels of ambition and aspiration.”

Find out more:

• WorldSkills - Our successes
• Join us – Courses for 16-19 years olds

A skill-focused Esports BTEC qualification is now offered for the first time to students from institutions across the UK and around the world… and it’s here at Weston College from September 2021!

According to Newzoo, the esports industry is projected to generate revenues of $1 billion in 2020 with the total esports audience set to rise to 495m.

Now, the British Esports Association has partnered with global learning company Pearson to create the world's first qualification of its kind to give students a head start on their esports career.

Andy Payne, British Esports Association chair, said: "Esports is a growing, exciting industry that many young people are looking at with interest and it's important they have the opportunity to unlock their potential and be the leaders of tomorrow. The industry is still finding its feet, but with big names like Pearson coming on board to bring learning and curriculum design expertise, this bodes well for the future workforce.

"These qualifications are a unique development that can elevate esports education in the UK and around the world.

"We have taken our time to ensure the qualifications are as comprehensive and high quality as possible, in order to provide students with a valuable qualification that will give them the knowledge and skills they need to pursue a career in esports, video games, tech or other related sectors."

The new Level 3 esports qualification consists of 20 units, including enterprise and entrepreneurship, strategy and analysis, events management, live-streamed broadcasting, video production, shoutcasting, coaching, health and wellbeing, the law and legislation, computer networking and more. The qualifications will enable some learners to enter careers in the esports industry and for others it will offer an opportunity to upskill and progress their careers in event management and business.

The current global pandemic has propelled esports into the mainstream, with Premier League stars participating in competitive FIFA tournaments and F1 drivers regularly streaming iRacing on Twitch.

Streamers and pro players have become some of the highest earners in the entertainment industry and have amassed huge following amongst the Gen Z audience, resulting in the birth of esports degrees being offered at universities in the UK.

Mark 'Garvey' Candella, Director of Student and Education Programs at Twitch, added: "The BTEC in esports really addresses the core competencies needed for students to become empowered and confident young professionals in the gaming and esports industries. To meet students where they are and teach highly transferable and valuable emerging, new and digital media skills in an engaging way is the future."

Weston College is excited to be able to offer both the Level 2 and Level 3 in esports from September 2021 for school leavers eager to start their training for their future career. Find out more about the programmes on offer and how to apply here.

A Weston College Commis Chef Apprentice, Daniel, has been crowned apprentice of the year - beating competition from across the South West.

Daniel joined us on the Level 2 Commis Chef apprenticeship which covers preparing dishes using fresh and raw ingredients cooking meat, fish and poultry dishes, and other culinary skills such as making soups and sauces, either in specialist, ethnic or fine dining restaurants. The programme includes four days with an employer and one day at the College.

We asked Daniel about his experience of the apprenticeship “I would definitely recommend it, it’s a good experience and it’s great to earn money whilst learning your trade. It also shows you can put your knowledge into practical use having done it already. Giulio Ellis, owner of Guilio's Italian Kitchen, was very supportive, he helped source brilliant ingredients to work and experiment with, which I couldn't have accessed myself. I love being in the workplace, it’s been like having a second family and the masterclasses on my course are brilliant.”

Gemma Zaire, owner of Guilio's Italian Kitchen, recalled when Daniel began working at Giulio's, she said: "Daniel came to work with us a year ago when we first opened Giulio’s and we saw something special in him. We asked him if he would like the opportunity to be an apprentice to learn to be a chef, he jumped at the chance. At first, Daniel needed a lot of guidance and help but within a matter of months he has become one of our most valued members of staff."

“Daniel has taken to the catering industry like a duck to water. When speaking with his employer they have nothing but great things to say about his positive attitude, his attention to detail and his ability to work well under pressure. At Guilio's Italian Kitchen, the busier it gets during service, the more they rely on Daniel's cool head.As his assessor, I always find we end up talking about recipes, and different styles of food, what cookbooks we're reading and different chefs or restaurants we're interested in. Daniel is about to turn 18, but he speaks like someone who has been working in the industry for many years who is always keen to try something new and challenge himself, said Grant Spenser, Assessor, Weston College.

Daniel was put forward for the award and was crowned Outstanding Apprentice of the Year in Hospitality, Travel and Customer Service in the contest hosted by both Bristol and Bath Live on 2nd December 2020.

Sandra Bull, Dean of Faculty, Weston College said: “We are very proud of Daniel and pleased that his achievements have been recognised nationally.

“If someone is thinking about a career where they can be creative, have fun, but work hard, then catering is definitely a sector where that can happen.

“There are lots of young people out there just like Daniel, all they need is an opportunity, someone to give them a chance and support them to be their best. The relationship that the College has with an employer like Guilio's Italian Kitchen is a good example of the success that a young person can have when they are given the right support. The pandemic has hit the hospitality and catering industry, but our apprentices are still learning and the employers are temporarily adapting their business models to succeed. It’s an exciting time and we look forward to a time when we can once again sit in and enjoy dinning out.”

Join us on a hospitality and catering course:

• Courses for 16-19 years olds
• Adult courses
• Find an open event