An archipelago of floating islands installed in Bridgwater’s historic tidal basin have sprung to life, with the help of some of our learners who part took in The Prince’s Trust Pathway’s for Young People course.

Three floating ecosystems were installed by Biomatrix Water Solutions after the company was invited by the WWT Bridgwater Blue Heritage Project to bring the historic site to life.

As part of Bridgwater Blue Heritage, the learners worked with volunteers to plant flowers and shrubs on 3 rafts, which would then be put into docks to promote wildlife, biodiversity and fish breeding areas.

The ecosystems are designed to create a thriving habitat for birds, fish, and pollinators, while improving water quality and softening the edge of the dock basin. By restoring a touch of wildness to this tidal space, the floating ecosystems help to reconnect the community with nature and honour the legacy of the waterways.

Biomatrix Water Solutions said: “A heartfelt thank you goes out to the local volunteers from The Prince’s Trust at Weston College, and to Steve and Stan from WWT, who braved the wind and rain to help bring this project to life.”

Emma Hutchins, Head of Bootcamps and Pathways for Young People, said, “We are so proud of everything our learners have achieved over the 12-week programme – it is evident that they have all developed confidence within themselves whilst simultaneously learning skills that will help them through life, particularly skills in the workplace. This could not be done without the incredible King’s Trust, and our wonderful staff who have supported the learners throughout their time on the programme.”

Find out more about our Pathways for Young People courses here.

To celebrate the successful completion of the first year of their two-year T-Level in Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction, a group of Weston College learners recently enjoyed an educational day out in Bristol.

The group travelled to Bristol, meeting at Temple Meads station before making their way to the Welcome Building – a 207,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art office development. They were given a guided tour by Senior Building Manager, James Puffitt, and Facilities Manager, James Ashton, who provided a detailed insight into the building’s design, features, and sustainability credentials.

The tour covered all areas of the development, from the photovoltaic solar panels and a backup generator on the rooftop, down to the cycle storage, showers, and lockers found on basement level. The building is fully electric, with heating and cooling powered by the Bristol Heat Network, which draws energy from the city’s river network. Learners were able to view both an unoccupied floorplate and a newly completed fit-out, preparing to welcome a new tenant the following week.

James Puffitt noted, “I was pleased the students took something away from the visit. They are our future, so it's important to inform and inspire them where we can.”

After a short break, the group visited a live construction site at One Friary, Temple Quay, where Beard Construction is carrying out a 60,000 sq. ft. office redevelopment. Site Manager, Jordon Marlow, led the learners on a guided tour of the site, where they watched a crane lift in action and observed different stages of construction, including structural steelwork, concreting, and metal decking. One of the learners is currently completing their industry placement on this site as part of the 315-hour work experience requirement of the T-Level course.

The day concluded with lunch at Bristol Harbourside, offering the learners time to reflect on what they had seen and learned and celebrate the end of the academic year with their peers.

Daniel Comerford, Construction Professions Lecturer at Weston College, commented, “I’ve been very impressed with the progress the learners have made since September. This visit was a great way to round off a successful first year, and I look forward to seeing how they continue to develop in their second year.”

If you’re interested in applying to one of our Construction courses in September, click here.

Some of our Travel and Tourism learners secured fantastic placements this year, giving them the chance to gain experience with organisations such as Bristol Port Company and with TUI Travel Agents.

At Bristol Port, eleven learners took part in a dynamic placement supporting the embarkation and disembarkation of cruise ship passengers. Working on shifts, the students assisted with security operations and provided visitor information services to passengers boarding the Ambition cruise ship, operated by Ambassador Cruises. As part of their experience, they also had the opportunity to tour the ship, offering a unique behind-the-scenes perspective of cruise operations.

The Bristol Port Company provided a comprehensive induction and training process to prepare learners for their roles. This experience proved to be a fantastic opportunity to develop key skills crucial to the cruise and wider tourism industries such as communication, cultural awareness, problem-solving, and professional conduct.

The Cruise Industry is a unit on the course, and this work experience provided learners with an inside look at the coordination between travel companies, cruise lines, port authorities and local tourism boards. Learners were able to see how they all work together and be a part of this. This is vital knowledge for a career in travel and tourism.

In addition, two learners undertook placements at the TUI Travel Agent branch in Weston-super-Mare. During their 37-hour placements, they shadowed experienced staff, sourced holiday deals, and created promotional signage for display outside the store. This hands-on experience offered valuable insight into a wide range of Travel and Tourism services, including holidays, package tours, cruises, destination weddings, and bespoke travel experiences.

Ben Melhuish, Head of Business and Tourism at Weston College, added, “Creating these links with local employers is imperative to the success for our learners on Travel and Tourism. Gaining real world experience in the operations of tourism in the local area helps us meet the skills needs of our employers, whilst also strengthening the transferable skills and employability of our learners when they finish their course. The learners have once again been a credit to their course and college and the feedback from has been extremely positive!”

Hannah Carstensen, lecturer in Business and Tourism at Weston College, shared her thoughts on the placement, “Work experience like this is highly beneficial for our Travel and Tourism learners as it provides practical exposure to the industry. The learners were able to gain an insight into the different Travel and Tourism products and services. This will help improve employability and helps learners build professional connections and references for future roles within the industry.”

A big thank you to the Bristol Port Company and TUI Weston-super-Mare for making this opportunity possible and providing an invaluable learning experience.

If you’re interested in applying to one of our Travel & Tourism courses, click here.