Weston College has become the first college to sign up to the national Ban the Box campaign.

Candidates with a criminal record can now apply for jobs at the College with the knowledge that they will be assessed on their ability to do the job before any convictions are fairly considered.

However, the same rules surrounding who can legally do certain jobs will still apply, and DBS checks will still take place before any member of staff is appointed. Anyone teaching learners or working alongside College staff will have been through the same rigorous legal checks as usual.

Applicants will however, be asked to declare any such record at the point of job offering, and will undergo DBS/legal checks as all with all other applicants. Only once they are successful in passing those will they be able to accept a position.

The campaign is spearheaded by Business in the Community, and currently more than 90 UK-wide employers are signed up, with the College being the latest. Other organisations include Boots, Barclays, Bristol City Council and Virgin Trains.

The initiative will mean that the College no longer asks about criminal convictions on job application forms, instead committing to considering an applicant’s skills, experience and ability first and foremost.

Having a job can reduce a person’s chance of reoffending by up to 50%, and by signing up to Ban the Box Weston College is creating a fair chance for ex-offenders to compete for jobs and helping to keep the community safer.  

Grace Mehanna, Business in the Community’s campaign director for employment and skills, said: “Two thirds of employers admit to discriminating against people with criminal records, but the employers we work with recognise the skills and loyalty this diverse group of people can bring to their roles. Removing the barrier of a tick box can make all the difference to someone deciding to apply to your company.”

The Ofsted “Outstanding” organisation has confirmed that “Weston College is committed to recruiting an inclusive workforce, reducing barriers to employment and offering opportunities to applicants with the talent, motivation and potential to succeed. The College is already proud to be changing lives by the delivery of high quality Offender Learning and we are delighted to have signed up to this new policy. We know from experience how important it is for people with a criminal record to know that they have a fair chance of gaining legitimate employment to support them and their families and contribute positively to society. As an employer, we pride ourselves on equal opportunities for everyone and this is another step we have taken to show people that it is their skills and ability to do the job that matters.”

For more information about the work the College undertakes with ex-offenders visit www.offenderlearning.co.uk or to find out about current job vacancies across the Weston College Group, visit www.weston.ac.uk/jobs

If you'd like to know more about the 'Ban the Box' initiative visit http://www.bitc.org.uk/banthebox

Weston College is providing staff with the opportunity to boost their digital skills.

The new ‘Digital Advocate’ programme is a part of Weston College’s digital vision – to create an environment in which learners can use real-world technologies to create, collaborate and share.

Staff will be recognised as Digital Advocates, and will help to identify opportunities for further digital enhancement, as well as share new practices.

Digital Advocates will form a cross-College group, supported by the College’s dedicated Learning Technologists. The network of Digital Advocates will share new digital developments, approaches and form a community of good practice.

The College works closely with Microsoft, and Digital Advocates will have access to a range of resources, support and certification, including Microsoft Certified Educator.

Liam Fisher, the College’s Learning Technology Manager, said: “This is a really exciting new programme, and one which is sure to enhance the learners experience at the College.

“We believe that developing digital skills and practices in our staff and learners is the key to unlocking the potential for technology to transform our teaching and learning.”

Weston College has joined forces with Lloyds Banking Group to introduce real-world tech skills to a range of secondary school subjects.

The ReDiscover Project aims to help pupils aged 11-14 see the real-world potential of subjects they may be disengaged with.

The nationwide initiative, created by Lloyds Bank, goes beyond the ICT basics, and teaches skills such as vlogging, graphic design, music streaming and online money management.

Educational experts have developed lesson plans and supporting materials, which align with six traditional subjects – Business Studies, Maths, English, Media Studies, Graphics and Music.

On Wednesday 28th November 2018, Weston College will be host an interactive ReDiscover Project event, at the Winter Gardens in Weston-super-Mare. At this event, Key Stage 3 learners will try out a range of subjects that have been given a specific digital focus.

Students will then get to put their learning and insight into practice, by building a specific business plan that will judged by industry experts.

Lloyds ‘Digital Champions’ and local business experts will also be on hand to offer guidance, advice and to share industry knowledge.

Ben Cocks, Assistant Director at Weston College, said: “This is an exciting project and we are delighted to be working on it with Lloyds Banking Group.

“Digital skills are becoming increasingly important to employers. The ReDiscover Project will present a great opportunity to encourage young people to engage with tech and see how they can use their digital talents to build a career.”

Stephen Noakes, Lloyds Banking Group Ambassador for the South West, said: “Having access to the right skills is crucial for any business or organisation, which is why supporting the minds of tomorrow is so important, both locally and across the country.

“Our colleagues regularly host financial literacy and employability events for schools and colleges across the South West to support young people in their transition between education and the world of work. We believe that celebrating homegrown talent is the best way to tackle the skills gap and help both businesses and individuals prosper.”