A student at Weston College’s Sixth Form has won a district award at a Young Enterprise event, and will progress to the regional finals.

Ilja Voroncovs, who studies A Levels in Psychology and Sociology and an Extended Certificate in Applied Science, recently took part in the Young Enterprise programme and was nominated by his tutor for a Journey Award. 

The Journey Award is for students who took part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme, and have progressed particularly well not necessarily just within the project itself. 

Elinor John, Lecturer in Photography and Employability Co-ordinator at the Sixth Form, said: “I nominated Ilja due to his increased confidence over the programme. Ilja was extremely shy at the beginning of the course, but flourished as a result of the opportunity with the Young Enterprise. 

“Ilja’s confidence went from strength to strength, and he was really deserving of that recognition. The most rewarding aspect was that not only did his team, business advisors and I see the growth in Ilja, but he recognised it in himself.”

The Young Enterprise programme challenges teams of students to start a business from scratch, selling a product of their own design and making a profit. It requires them to work as a team, alongside real business advisors who help to guide and mentor them.

Wayne Richards, Head of the Sixth Form, said: “The Young Enterprise programme gives students the opportunity to get a feel for real-life business, and start to explore the different aspects of creating and running their own business. 

“We’re so proud of students like Ilja who really challenge themselves, and end up progressing not just within the College but personally, too, as a result of the project. We encourage all our students to grow and develop in any way they can and we’re really proud of what Ilja has achieved.”
 

Weston College launched an Aspiring Managers Programme at Avon Fire and Rescue training centre in Bath last week (10th May 2018). The Aspiring Managers Programme was created in partnership with Avon Fire and Rescue following Weston College’s success in the tender process to deliver a Team Leading Level 3 Apprenticeship.

The programme will develop 22 Team Leaders from different departments within Avon Fire and Rescue, and is due to last 18 months. At the end of the programme the 22 learners will have gained greater management knowledge and also a Level 3 qualification.

Liz Marchant, Learning and Development Manager at Avon Fire and Rescue, said: “We are so pleased to have secured Weston College as a training provider for our new management programme. This will provide vital development for our first-line managers, across Operational, Control room and Support staff areas.

“It is an exciting time for us and we are proud to forge a partnership with the College both in recruitment of apprentices and developing our existing staff.”

Tracie Leahy, Head of Apprenticeship Sales and Recruitment at Weston College, added: “We are delighted to be working with Avon Fire and Rescue and building a partnership with them to deliver this Aspiring Managers Programme.

“We have worked together to produce a bespoke training programme that will inspire the next generation of leaders within Avon Fire and Rescue. We are excited for the programme to get underway and wish the learners the best of luck.”

Weston College's Futsal team has beaten two university teams in the FA Female Futsal Cup.

Futsal is a format of football usually played indoors with a smaller ball which has 30% reduced bounce. It is a ‘5 a side game’ but with very different rules to the traditional ‘5 a side’. It is a sport all the greats grew up playing, such as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The FA Female Futsal Cup is a national tournament that is held once a year by The Football Association.

Weston's Academy of Sport entered a team which had to get past two university teams in the regional qualifiers on Sat 20th January. They won the qualifiers by beating both Exeter University and Plymouth University, with Felicity Hind, Level 2 Sport student, and Desni Darch, Level 3 art and design student, both scoring.

Coach Sarah Adams said “Having won the FA cup previously as a player it was great to give the students the opportunity to experience the buzz of this tournament and fall in love with the sport. Opportunities for futsal are increasing year on year for females and these talented girls have really put Weston College on the map nationally in terms of female futsal.

"This is the first time the College has entered this competition, the students preformed incredibly well competing against experienced adult teams. We never imaged they would get as far as the last 16 and be so close to reaching the quarter finals."

Student Felicity Hind said: “This tournament gave me an insight into an elite competition level that I would have otherwise never had the opportunity to be a part of. It was great to challenge myself by playing against adults and quality, experienced players and I am really proud to have represented the college in the last 16 stages.

"It has made me much more confident, I now have better knowledge of a new sport and can't wait to play it again.”