Recently, our Photography and Fashion students were given a rare behind-the-scenes look into the world of high-fashion editorial and celebrity styling when Weston-super-Mare hair stylist, Adam Garland, delivered a talk and a hands-on workshop for our Level 3 Photography and Fashion students. 

Garland began his career in Weston before travelling the world to work at the very top of the hair industry, sharing insights around his journey from modest beginnings to styling on professional sets across Europe and Asia for some of the biggest names in fashion. His visit offered students a unique opportunity to learn directly from a creative professional operating at the highest level of the industry. 

During the session, Garland discussed the realities of working on major fashion photoshoots, including the fast-paced, collaborative environment of professional sets. He explained the importance of clear communication between stylists, photographers and creative teams to ensure the desired outcomes are achieved effectively and professionally. Students also gained a stronger understanding of both the creative and professional demands of the industry. 

Following the talk, students took part in a practical workshop where they were able to see first-hand how poses and lighting influence the overall mood, aesthetic and storytelling of a shoot. The session focused on how stylists and photographers collaborate to shape a model’s look to complement lighting, wardrobe and concept - skills that are vital for anyone aspiring to work in fashion photography. 

Sam Brooks, Photography Lecturer at Weston College, added, “This was a highly impactful and insightful session that gave students a deeper understanding of what it is like to work on a real-world photography set for an industry professional. It also provided a valuable opportunity for students to see potential career progression through someone who once started in a similar position to them, inspiring them to pursue their goals and work towards the careers they aspire to achieve.” 

Having already developed a strong professional background within the hair industry, Adam Garner is now expanding his skillset by completing the part-time Adult Photography course at Weston College. This will allow him to professionally showcase his work and capture it in his own creative style. Adam’s journey is an excellent example of how Weston College supports individuals not only in discovering their passions, but also in developing existing talents to further their careers at any stage of life. 

Weston College continues to work closely with industry professionals to ensure students gain valuable real-world experience and insight, helping to prepare them for successful careers within the creative industries. 

A huge thank you to Adam for taking the time to share his extensive knowledge base with our students! 

This hands-on workshop forms part of the Photography and Fashion Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. 

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

On Friday 6th March, as part of Women in Construction Week, Weston College hosted a Women in Construction Roundtable at our South West Skills Campus in collaboration with the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.

The event brought together women from across the construction sector, including representatives from Kier Group, Alun Griffiths, Kane Group, Galliford Try and TClark, alongside Weston College’s own T Level learners, apprentices, and members of the college’s careers and apprenticeship teams.

The session began with a welcome and overview of the event, followed by roundtable introductions. Employers then shared short video clips showcasing their organisations and the opportunities available within their businesses, before offering reflections on their roles and career journeys.

This was followed by a discussion on career pathways within construction, exploring traditional and alternative routes into the industry, as well as advice for those at the start of their careers. The final part of the roundtable focused on the experiences of women working in construction, covering topics such as challenges faced, the value of support networks, the rewards of working in the sector, and opportunities for positive change.

The conversation sparked honest and inspiring reflections on career journeys, early exposure to careers in school, obstacles encountered along the way, and the successes that come with determination and perseverance. The event provided a fantastic opportunity to share experiences, celebrate progress, and highlight the importance of visibility and representation for women in the industry.

Events like this play a vital role in demonstrating that construction is a career open to everyone, offering a wide range of pathways and opportunities.

If you would like to get involved in future events like this, please contact employers@weston.ac.uk.

Last month, our Travel and Tourism students were tasked with designing and creating an event for the Winter Gardens Ballroom to host, teaching them valuable lessons in event planning and the logistics behind organising them.   

The students were split into four groups and had 1 week to come up with an idea that would sell tickets and appeal to a target audience. During this week, students brainstormed ideas, did market research, created cost breakdowns, contacted employers, and came up with promotional materials and designs to promote their event. They then created an in-depth presentation to share with the Winter Gardens Management team who picked the best and most plausible event to run on May 8th.  

The events designed by our students included Bougie Bingo; a black-tie bingo event, Paint and Sip; cocktails and a paint along, Film and Fork night; dinner matching the theme of the movie, and a Murder-Mystery evening. These events were all innovative and well-researched, displaying a high level of creativity and thought within the design processes. Some groups even contacted various employers for quotes to start considering ticket prices which would produce a potential profit.  

After consideration, the Winter Gardens staff chose the Paint and Sip event to conduct on May 8th, deciding it seemed the most plausible to plan in a short amount of time and is already a popular event. It also requires fewer outgoings which means the ticket prices can be more affordable to the public and, in turn, will draw up a larger crowd.  

The winning group have now begun planning the event, organising a budget with the Winter Gardens and booking the required external activities such as food, entertainment and decorations. The remaining groups will help assist and serve throughout the event to reduce costs whilst giving them crucial hands-on experience around the of running an event.  

This collaboration between Weston College and the Winter Gardens is a fantastic opportunity for students to learn from professionals and plan a real-life event for an organisation. It provides them with excellent insight into the potential challenges that students may need to overcome when planning an event, the importance of marketing to promote an event, and the factors to consider in order to create a seamless experience for the public.  

By giving our Travel and Tourism students the responsibility to plan and deliver an event within a set budget gave them invaluable real-world experience which will develop their practical skills in project management, budgeting, marketing, teamwork, and problem-solving while learning to operate within industry standards and expectations.   

Not only this, collaborating with professionals enhances their communication and employability skills, and managing a live event for paying members of the public gives them a sense of accountability, resilience, leadership, and confidence. Overall, this experience is a fantastic opportunity which will provide them with vital employability skills and give them realistic industry insight and a strong sense of achievement.  

A huge well done to all the students who were involved, everyone’s ideas were professional and well-thought out and would certainly appeal to a wide target audience.  

This project management opportunity forms part of the Travel and Tourism Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.  

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.