Weston College celebrated the successes of its apprentices, trainees, work experience students, and their employers at the annual Weston College Business Awards at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, Weston-super-Mare.

The Awards, sponsored by Honeyfield Property Services Ltd, brought together key figures in the regional business community to reward the outstanding achievements of the College’s learners, as well as the business partners that work with the College to support their success. Ben Smith, Founder and Creator of the 401 Challenge, delivered the keynote speech and handed out trophies and certificates to the winners.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, said: “The Business Awards was a fantastic celebration of the outstanding efforts of our students and the employers that work with the College to enable their learning.

“It was great to see the diverse range of businesses that the College works with come together to recognise apprentices for the hard work that they do. These apprentices haven’t just succeeded – they have excelled and progressed into permanent employment, management and key positions in their businesses.”

Ben Mager, a College student who recently visited Buckingham Palace with Dr Phillips to receive the Queen’s Anniversary Prize, took home the awards for Childcare Apprentice of the Year and Overall Apprentice of the Year.

Ben was born eight weeks prematurely and was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and cerebral palsy. He started studying at Weston College in 2011 as part of the School Link Programme and then followed a progression path through the College’s Faculty of Inclusive Practice. He realised his potential and started to believe in himself while taking part in the College’s Into Work supported internship programme, where he discovered his passion for working with children.

Last year he started an apprenticeship in Children and Young People’s Workforce at Castle Kids, where he has become popular with the children and introduced successful activities to them.

Ben said: “This award shows how far I’ve come, that I’ve worked so hard, and that the College has recognised me for who I am, what I’ve done and what I’ve achieved.

“My aim is to work with children with additional needs and disabilities. I want to give back to them the support I’ve received as a disabled person myself.”

As part of his prize, Ben Mager received a cheque for £150 from event sponsors Honeyfield Property Services Ltd.

Weston College’s Business Awards is open to businesses that work with the College to offer apprenticeships, traineeships and work experience opportunities to its students. There were 30 award winners, ranging from small and medium employers to large international companies such as GKN Aerospace.

Weston College recently welcomed 400 GCSE students from local schools for a hospitality industry taster say with The Chefs’ Forum Academy, designed to get them interested in a career in the industry.

The event, held at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, saw students from Worle School, Hans Price Academy, Backwell School, Voyage Learning Campus, Robert Blake Science College and NSETC welcomed with ‘mocktails’ and canapés made by the College’s Level 2 hospitality students.

The students were then treated to demonstrations from some top chefs on The Chefs’ Forum demo stage, including a fish demonstration from Professional Master Chef Finalist Elly Wentworth (Lucknam Park), and a lesson in pricing from UK Curry Chef of the Year Stephen Gomes (Moksh) and Istvan Ulmann (Berwick Lodge).

Demo chefs were also joined by the College’s level 2 hospitality students, and Istvan Ulmann was joined by his new apprentice, Lillianna Young, who has recently completed her level 3 qualification with the College.

The school students also got some hands-on experience during Gavin Roberts’s butchery demo, learning how he makes sausages for the Kernow Sausage company, and were given free hotdogs made with Kernow Sausages to try.

Sandra Bull, Area Manager for Hair, Beauty, Hospitality and Catering at Weston College, said: “The day was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and it was fantastic to see so many young faces inspired to consider careers in catering and hospitality, with demonstrations by talented local chefs and industry experts.”

Catherine Farinha, Founder of The Chefs’ Forum Academy, said: ““It was a real honour to be asked to stage this event by the College. The Chefs’ Forum Academy is going from strength to strength and feedback from teaching staff and students is fantastic.

The Chefs’ Forum Academy work in partnership with the College to provide classroom-based hospitality and catering students with guest lectures and opportunities to attend industry events.

A Weston College Sixth Form student has won a second award for his work on a Young Enterprise project.

Ilja Voroncovs was recently awarded the Journey Award in the district finals of a Young Enterprise event, and has now won the second stage of the award at the regional finals.

As part of his previous award, Ilja was given a 1:1 mentoring session with Richard Phillips, Director of Three Cherries Limited, who worked alongside Ilja’s tutor Elinor John to help him produce a film showcasing the positive effect Young Enterprise has had on him.

Ilja was then successful in winning the second Regional Journey Award at a ceremony in Exeter, and is now one of just three people that have been selected nationally as finalists for the National Journey Award.

Ilja’s tutor on the project, Elinor John, Lecturer in Photography and Employability Co-coordinator, said: “We are incredibly proud that Ilja has gone on to win a second regional award!

“The Young Enterprise team and all the staff here at the Sixth Form are so pleased that the progress he has made is being recognised. He has come such a long way and is well deserving of this award.”

Ilja has been invited to attend the national final in London on 6 July.