The group of Geography A-level students took a minibus down to the attraction near St Austell, and after a welcome lecture were given a tour of the Mediterranean and Tropical Biodomes.

Humidity was very high in the Tropical Biodome, adding to the authenticity of the experience. The students were given the opportunity to climb up to a viewing platform 30 metres from the ground so they could see the flora and fauna from above.

College lecturer Richard Hall, who accompanied the students, said: “This was a great experience of learning first hand and close up about Biodiversity, and with the combination of lectures, guided tour and free time to explore, it certainly enhanced enjoyment of this aspect of the course.”

* Pic shows students (left to right) James Savage, Charlie Cox, Luke Flannigan, Will Payne, Josh Hoare-Matthews, Vanessa Wall, Leanne Bryant.

Peter Misson, 50, of Locking Road, was reluctant to come on the Changes course - aimed at those making the transition from Incapacity Benefit and Employment Support Allowance - because he suffers from dyslexia and hasn’t worked for a long time.

But after completing the course at the College’s Training Solutions in Locking Road, Peter has now gone on to a higher course and hopes either to enter employment or full-time education.

“I didn’t want to come on the course at all,” he said, “because I felt I wasn’t good around people and found it hard to engage. But after just two weeks I found my attitude had changed tremendously. I always thought I’d struggle in groups, but the others on the course, and the staff, were fantastic to be with.”

Peter, a former warehouse manager, said the Weston College staff had been ‘very understanding’, which had given him the confidence to think he could break out of the benefits cycle.

“They helped me to realise that I was capable of being around people and actually enjoy that,” he said. “I’ve now got my CV up together, plus a covering letter, and I’m thinking about a much brighter future.”

Changes is a four week course focusing on several areas including IT, Healthy Eating, Employability Skills and Volunteering. The course culminates with an event the participants organise themselves.

Peter has now gone on to the College’s Aspire course, which teaches employability skills. “Weston College has changed my life,” he said. “I feel much more confident and I’ve really surprised myself.”

Laura Leadbetter, Peter’s Trainer Assessor on the Changes course, said his story was just one of a number of similar transformational stories resulting from the course.

“Some of the learners have been off work a long time, and have suffered from various illnesses which have kept them away from work. However, there has been a tremendous amount of positivity around Changes and because we treat people as individuals we find we get excellent results, as with Peter. He enjoyed the course so much he asked if he could do it again!

“We wish him all the best of luck for his future.”

‘Kick Start’ will be held at Weston-super-Mare’s Winter Gardens and will be open for job seekers to visit from 12:00 noon to 2.30pm.

Job seekers from in and around the area are invited to network with employers or companies who may have jobs or apprenticeships available or who would consider offering work experience or have opportunities for volunteering.

In addition to networking, there will be a ‘Speed Dating’ session, during which employers will conduct five-minute initial interviews with job seekers who can showcase their skills and hopefully impress the employers enough that they want to arrange to meet them again or offer them an opportunity.

Job seekers are advised to come ‘dressed to impress’ and bring along their CV.

Sue Estcourt, Weston College’s Employment Support & Outreach Coordinator, said: “This will be a great opportunity for job seekers to network with a variety of organisations as well as gaining some valuable interview practice.

“Taking part in work experience or volunteering can provide an excellent ‘kick start’ to any career, giving an opportunity to showcase existing skills as well as an opportunity to develop new skills and get noticed as a potential new employee. It is also a good chance for job seekers to consider working within different vocational areas.”