Weston College students will get the chance to work with an exciting new range of animals thanks to a partnership with one of the region’s top visitor attractions.

The College has joined forces with Puxton Park, which will enable students to develop industry-specific skills working with the park’s specialist facilities and animals.

Puxton’s range of domestic, farm and exotic animals include tortoises, parrots, reindeer, owls, meerkats, donkeys, goats, ponies, rare pigs, alpacas, cattle, emus and stick insects.

The link will also allow students to gain broader experience on their customer service skills, by engaging with tourists, families and school parties; all helping to prepare them for the world of work.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “Puxton Park is an outstanding and well-known venue, boasting a huge range of facilities, resources and animals.

“This innovative and exciting partnership provides a wealth of opportunities for students, to develop practical skills with species to suit everyone’s interests from reptiles to large farm animals through to birds of prey.”

“With future skills gaps identified and the excellent access of Puxton Park on the A370, this partnership will allow us to develop our animal management provision and provide students from throughout the region with the skills they need to succeed in this exciting industry.”

Alistair Mead, Managing Director of Puxton Park, said: “We are proud to be working in partnership with Weston College.

“Puxton Park was originally built with the intention of being an educational working farm park. Over the past 12 years, the park has grown in many ways; however, our roots as a place of learning and growth are deeply ingrained in everything we offer which is why we feel so passionate about supporting and working with future veterinary nurses, animal keepers, animal scientists, farmers and vets.”

Puxton Park is an award-winning family adventure park based near Weston-super-Mare. It provides animal talks, workshops and feedings, as well as indoor and outdoor adventure areas, water activities, rides and games.

Weston College is celebrating its status as market leader in the delivery of apprenticeships by organising two events to mark National Apprenticeship Week (March 9-16)

In the last year the College has seen a 300 per cent growth in employer work placements, which has resulted in lots of vacancies as young people look for alternatives in a tough job market. Employers have also found them to be a very useful way of training 'on-the-job', with 90 per cent of Weston College apprentices being offered a permanent position.

Mid-March marks the start of a national annual drive to promote apprenticeships. From March 9-16 Weston-super-Mare's Sovereign Centre will be hosting a Weston College 'pop-up shop', in which visitors are able to learn more about apprenticeships from expert staff, who will be on hand to give out any information and advice they require.

Also on offer in the shop are a range of free activities related to apprenticeships including wall-building, nail art and manicures, hairstyling, life-saving and learning how to estimate property values.

On Wednesday March 13, between 6-8pm, the College is hosting an Apprenticeship Information Evening at Knightstone Campus (BS23 2AL). Parents, potential apprentices and businesses are all welcome to attend this free event, which is a vital source of information.

Weston College is the biggest facilitator of apprenticeship programmes in the region and its Training Solutions, based at the South West Skills Campus on Locking Road, was set up to provide businesses with relevant and flexible training programmes.

The College has seen a 77 per cent growth in apprenticeship applications, with more than 20 new apprenticeship job vacancies each month.

Helen Booker, Apprenticeship Manager at Training Solutions, said: “The College offers a very wide programme of apprenticeships to people aged 16 and over, with more than 50 different areas to choose from. Naturally, school-leavers are very well represented in this area but apprenticeships can be taken up by anyone, especially adults looking for a new career via a training programme, and also offer a route to degree level study.”

The College's Apprenticeship programme can be studied at Levels 2, 3 4 and 5 and learners can progress through these levels while continuing to work in their chosen career. Apprentices develop the majority of their skills in the workplace, working alongside experienced and skilled staff.

Bobby Turner, 22, from Weston, undertook a Business Administration Apprenticeship at Weston College and has recently begun a new role with the procurement team at Lloyds Banking Group.

He said: “I would recommend an apprenticeship to anyone as there are some great job opportunities available. They are tailored to your particular role and the experience teaches you what’s involved in working in a business environment.”