Every year, around 14,000 military personnel leave the forces.

Many will have worked ‘hands-on’, operating in challenging, high-pressured settings that demand teamwork, leadership and project management skills.

When you consider these qualities are also in great demand within the construction industry, it suggests a natural fit for many ex-servicemen and women, who often struggle to find suitable employment when they leave the forces.

The case is even more compelling when you consider that, by 2021, the construction sector will need to find 157,000 new recruits to keep pace with demand – according to The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB).

But while logic is undeniable, comparatively few military personnel make the transition to a construction career. One of the main reasons is that not enough is being done to ex-servicemen aware of the opportunities available.

The construction sector offers huge choice in terms of the roles and career paths available – particularly to those who already possess the fundamental qualities required.

This particularly applies to the Somerset and Bristol area, which will be home to a number of nationally significant developments over the next decade.

Currently, over 26,000 people are employed in the building and construction trades in the West of England – and this figure is set to rise by 14% by 2020.

The biggest growth will be in the plumbing and electrical installation sectors, which will see a big boost due to projects such as Hinkley Point C and the electrification of the main train lines between London and Bristol.

And Weston College is in a prime position to enable former military personnel to adapt the abilities they’ve honed in the forces, fill these skills gaps and start on the path to a rewarding and successful career in construction.

Firstly, our facilities are second to none.

In April we opened our state-of-the-art Construction Training Centre – a purpose-built facility that provides specialist training in plant operations, groundworks, scaffolding, forklifting and logistics.

We also boast the South West Skills Campus. This is a high-technology centre with classrooms, workshops and labs that offer industry-standard equipment to give you the hands-on experience you’ll need to progress into the industry.

And our construction-related courses provide the perfect opportunity for ex-servicemen to re-train, with clearly defined career paths and progression routes, whatever your level of knowledge and experience.

As well as those offered at the Construction Training Centre, programmes range from bricklaying and DIY to construction in the built environment, engineering and carpentry – at a variety of levels.

The College also offer the industry-standard health and training courses that everyone working on a construction site needs – including the H&S Awareness and CSCS Labourer Card.

We have outstanding links with construction businesses throughout the region and beyond, which gives you a head-start in the employment market once you’ve finished your training.

And we understand how daunting it can be to take your career in a different direction. That’s why our outstanding staff are always on hand to give you the support, advice and guidance you need to make an informed decision about course and career path that suits you.

One of our former students, Kevin, chose to retrain as a plasterer after leaving the army and being diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. He says the support and guidance of staff helped turn his life around and allowed him to start his own plastering business, which also raises money for injured army personnel.

Kevin said: “I’d always struggled academically and suffered a number of problems after leaving the army, so it was a huge achievement for me to gain this qualification. Weston College has helped me move on and I can’t thank the staff enough.”

You can take a closer look at our courses and facilities on the construction section of our website, or the dedicated Construction Training Centre site. You can also apply for any of our construction courses straight away through these websites.

If you have any questions, call 01934 411 411 or drop us a message.

Bread and pastry professional Harrison Poole will be leading the next masterclass at the School of Food.

Harrison is Commis Chef at Bakers & Co – a café-come-restaurant on Bristol’s Gloucester Road. He’s worked with Albert and Michelle Roux, who are regarded as the godfathers of modern restaurant cuisine in the UK; cooked for renowned British food writer and critic Tom Parker Bowles; and holds two AA Rosettes (an accreditation for culinary excellence).

Here, Harrison talks about his education and career … and offers some expert advice to potential chef apprentices.

“I have always been interested in cooking. I studied art at college in London and then moved to Bristol. I enrolled on an NVQ Level 2 Professional Cookery course while working in The Town House in Whiteladies, Bristol, where I became an apprentice.

“After I finished my apprenticeship I moved back to London where I worked with Albert and Michel Roux at the Lanham Hotel. I was there for 12 months and learned all about French cuisine under two legendary chefs. I loved working there and learned so much.

“I moved back to Bristol and worked in various cafés and restaurants, including Wilson’s. Here I cooked for Tom Parker Bowles when he reviewed the restaurant for The Times.

“I finally ended up at Bakers & Co, which serves quality brunch, seasonal lunches and colourful suppers alongside coffee, fresh juices and natural wines.

“I manage the bakery and am responsible for the baking of all the bread, cakes and pastries. I also make fresh croissants, Danish pastries and bread daily.

“I love cooking, because everyone needs to eat and it’s an essential skill to have. There’s always something new to learn and it’s such an exciting career path to take. It’s also allowed me to work with and meet so many people many whom are now good friends.

“I would say to potential apprentices that there will be difficult times during your apprenticeship, and things will go wrong. However, working as a chef builds resilience and makes you a stronger and more confident person.”

You ‘knead’ to check out Harrison’s Instagram page – @pooleharrison

Find out more:

• The School of Food
• Apprenticeship vacancies
• Find out about our next open event

A ‘double first’ for Weston College Apprentices was celebrated on the town’s Grand Pier last week.

Around 70 Apprentices took part in the ‘TrailBlazer’ event, the first of its kind to be held by a UK college and the first graduation ceremony ever to be held entirely on a British pier.

The event was just one of six to be held around the UK and was funded by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) and managed by the Association of Colleges (AoC) and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP).

Despite inclement weather, Apprentices from many different fields gathered to receive certificates marking their achievements and to hear inspirational speeches from fellow Apprentices, employers and BBC’s ‘The Apprentice’ finalist Jim Eastwood.

After a photocall, Apprentices and their families filed into the pier’s main building for the ceremony. Weston College Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips, OBE, introduced the event.

Dr Phillips praised the efforts of all the graduates, and thanked all employers, sponsors and organisations involved in creating TrailBlazer.

Talking about the benefits of hiring apprentices, Jill Male, of Wrington-based company Freelance Surgical, said: “Every apprentice should be proud of what they have achieved and learned. It is essential in business that young people are given the opportunity to continue developing.”

Among those graduating was 20-year-old Jodie Pickles, of Weston. She took a Level Three Apprenticeship in Business Administration and is working for Broadway Lodge, a Weston-based charity providing residential treatment in the field of addiction.

She said: “I began in administration and now I work in HR and IT. I really enjoyed my Apprenticeship and Weston College has been very supportive the entire time. I wasn’t expecting a graduation ceremony but it’s a real boost for everyone here today.”

Speaking at the event, 37-year-old Nikki Durkin, who works for GE Oil and Gas in Nailsea, described how an Apprenticeship furthered her career while enabling her to maintain a work-life balance.

She said: “I would encourage anyone to go out and learn new work-based skills. An Apprenticeship is a fantastic way of gaining knowledge and developing your career.”

Keynote speaker Jim Eastwood, now the Vice President of internet voucher firm Groupon, talked about his time on ‘The Apprentice’ and praised Weston College’s efforts to raise awareness of Apprenticeships and increase the numbers of Apprentices on its books.

He said: “Apprenticeships are credible. They’re not just an alternative form of education. You gain experience and, as we’ve heard, 90 per cent of Weston College Apprentices are retained by their employers after the Apprenticeship is finished. They are a fantastic way into industry.”

Also graduating was Wendy Hatfield, a South African national now living in Burnham-on-Sea. She took a Level Three in Hospitality and Supervision and worked at the Holiday Inn, near Bristol Airport.

She said: “My experience was a very good one. The Apprenticeship taught me how to manage people and it really boosted my confidence. The Apprenticeships team at Weston College have been brilliant and very supportive. I struggled with Maths but I received a very high level of support and got through it with their help.”

Dr Phillips said: “This has been a ground-breaking ceremony, and not only because we are the first and only College in the UK to hold it but also because it is the first on a UK pier.

“I’d like to take the opportunity to congratulate all our Apprentices today, and also their employers for investing in such talent and enthusiasm. Apprenticeships are a great way of earning while you learn and I’d urge anyone interested – both employers and potential employees – to get in touch with our Apprenticeships team.”