A new sensory learning base for students with Profound and Complex Learning Disabilities (PCLD) has been officially opened at Weston College.

The centre is the final part of a £1million investment that provides high quality facilities.

The new base opened its doors to students in September 2014 at the Knightstone Campus in Weston town centre, meaning students with PCLD no longer have to leave the local authority to receive specialist support.

Ben McConkey, the College’s strategic lead in inclusive practice, said: “In the past, students with PCLD may have had to leave the local authority when they finish school to access the specialist education and support they require.”

The Sensory Learning Base provides students with an individualised high quality multi-sensory programme.

Ben McConkey said: “Our programmes will help young people develop the skills to lead a more independent life, access their community and develop and maintain relationships with family and friends through a wide range of sensory experiences and holistic approaches.”

Weston College Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips OBE described it as a ‘vital’ facility for the area.

He said: “It’s a far cry from when the College first opened its doors to a small group of teenagers with learning difficulties and disabilities back in 1981.

“We now have more than 1,000 learners receiving support on further education and higher education courses across all sites.

“This is a vital new facility for the local authority that will support some of the most vulnerable young people in our community and I look forward to welcoming new learners to the College.”

“The Sensory Learning base will work in collaboration external agencies to ensure every individual receives outstanding support and positive outcomes.” 

Weston College has set up an advice service for employers to help guide them through the new apprenticeship levy, due to be introduced in April 2017.

Last Friday (12th August) the government published proposals for a new funding model for apprenticeships and further details on the apprenticeship levy. The funding will support people of all ages to gain high-quality skills and experience and help employers to offer more training opportunities and build a skilled workforce.

The key points are:

• The start date for accessing the new funding system will be 1st May 2017
• The system applies to both levy and non-levy paying employers
• Starts prior to 1st May will be funded for the duration of the apprenticeship under current funding terms and conditions in place at start of programme
• Non-levy paying employers will not use the Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) until at least 2018
• 15 funding bands have been proposed, with the upper limit of these bands ranging from £1,500 to £27,000. All existing and new apprenticeship frameworks and standards will be placed within one of these funding bands
• Co-investment is a requirement of the new system for non-levy paying employers or employers who have used up their levy and it is proposed that employers co-invest 5 per cent of the costs, with government paying the remaining 95 per cent
• For employers with less than 50 employees it is proposed to waive the co-investment element if these employers take on a 16 to 18-year-old apprentice
• English and maths functional skills funding will not require an employer contribution nor will it be taken from levy paying employer’s accounts; it will continue to be paid directly to the provider
• Re-training – it is proposed that eligible learners will be able to undertake apprenticeships at a lower level than their current education level ‘to acquire substantive new skills’.

The levy was first introduced in the 2015 autumn statement and in response to a number of enquiries Weston College has set up a Levy Solution Service.

Liz Redwood, Executive Director of Apprenticeships and Commercial Strategy, said: “Weston College is able to support you through this process whether you are a levy paying employer or non-levy paying employer.

“We can help you begin to plan how to make the most of the new system, so please contact the Apprenticeships Team on 01934 411 594 or email us on business.enterprise.centre@weston.ac.uk to book a free advice and guidance session."

In the past, apprenticeships have been shunned in favour of other academic routes such as A Levels and university…

Now they are being recognised as a competitive alternative to traditional classroom-based study. They offer students the chance to enter into an industry, achieve nationally-recognised qualifications, and at the same time earn a wage and gain relevant work experience.

Weston College works with over 1,400 employers in the Bristol area to deliver 70 different apprenticeships, so we’re very familiar with the reasons why people choose to become an apprentice over other methods of studying.

Here are some of the top reasons our current apprentices give for choosing apprenticeships…

It can work out cheaper for the same qualifications

Many people are choosing apprenticeships because they offer great value for money compared to classroom-based study. With the new higher-level apprenticeships, you can even study a for a degree at the same time as gaining relevant work experience and earning a wage. Most of the time, an apprenticeship is paid for by the Government or the employer, however if this isn’t the case there are generous incentives such as the Advanced Learner Loan you can take advantage of.

You get more choice with the things you learn

Apprenticeships give people a lot of choice when it comes to choosing the skills they are taught, and apprenticeship training providers like Weston College will match prospective apprentices with relevant employers to ensure that they will enter in an industry they’re interested in and are appropriate for them. Our apprentices are offered career advice and support from our experienced commercial recruitment team to maximise our apprentices’ chances of success.

Apprenticeships lead to jobs most of the time

A major benefit of an apprenticeship over classroom-based study is the fact you’ll go straight into employment and gain highly-relevant work experience. Entering straight into the industry allows you to establish yourself within a business and gain the sector-specific skills employers are looking for. As a result of this, 90% of our apprentices are offered permanent positions at the end of their course.

It can still lead to uni and career progression

Once you’ve finished your apprenticeship and gained employment, you’ll have the option of progressing onto further study, an apprenticeship at a higher level, or specialising in an area of your industry. A lot of our apprenticeship subjects are taught at a variety of levels, so you may be able to study with us right up to degree-level.

All the benefits of being a student and having a job

So, apprenticeships enable people to achieve nationally-recognised qualifications, earn a wage, and gain skills – but there are many other benefits too… As well as benefitting from being an employee of your company, you’ll be able to enjoy access to the facilities your apprentice training provider offers. Weston College’s apprentices benefit from students’ union membership, NUS cards, a subsidised bus pass, access to our award-winning facilities and sports academies, and support and guidance from our dedicated teams.