To find out what it’s like to work in the early years sector, we asked an industry professional to share some opinions and experiences from their career. Jay Sparkle has been working in the early years industry for over 12 years. He’s currently area manager for Storal Learning Ltd and works closely with nurseries all over the south west, including Honeytree Nursery at Weston General Hospital.

What made you want to work with young people?

Well I grew up with a large family. I had lots of younger siblings so I always naturally felt this responsibility to look after them. When I was a bit older my nephew would often come round and play. I enjoyed playing along and found the way in which he was learning really interesting. I wanted to learn more about behaviours and what causes them which, in turn, sparked my interest in working with children.

What are the top three qualities or skills you need to work with young people?

Patience, imagination and confidence. You really have to be yourself around children and not worry about what others might think. For example, I know I’m not a great singer, but when I’m singing with the children I don’t worry about others judging me and just go for it. People forget that children don’t judge and ensuring they are engaged and having fun is the most important thing.

A lot of people might be worried about not advancing in this industry. Are there many opportunities for progression?

There are so many opportunities for progression. Starting as a student at a day nursery, you can then progress to become a manager, area manager and then perhaps open your own nursery. And that’s just one possible career path working with children. The industry is always changing and evolving so it’s quite exciting to be a part of. It’s very much ‘the more you put in, the more you get out’ so you’re more likely to enjoy your job more if you’re invested and want to succeed.

Are there currently any skills gaps in the industry?

Knowledge surrounding safeguarding practices and policies will always be relevant and in high demand. More people need to understand that the job isn’t just playing with children. Practitioners have a massive responsibility to keep the children in their care safe and happy. There can be lots of paperwork at times so understanding the core values and safeguarding procedures is of the upmost importance in this industry.

Is a qualification in early years necessary?

It’s clear when an applicant has a qualification in early years. Their underpinning knowledge and skills are already there and ready to be applied in the workplace. However, experience is equally important. I’ve seen people with the top grades struggle because they’re not comfortable with the children. That’s why the work experience programme at Weston College is so beneficial. It allows students to experience the work environment, put their lessons into practice and find out if this career is for them.

What impresses you most about Honey Tree Nursery?

As I said before, the industry is forever evolving. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ and the staff at Honeytree are excellent at responding to changes and adapting their practices accordingly. Every child is different so no two days are the same. The reliable staff always work hard to improve, and their ‘good enough isn’t good enough’ attitude really makes the nursery stand out.

Find out more about our Early Years courses and how you can start your journey to a rewarding and challenging career!

There have rarely been more employment opportunities in the UK construction industry than there are at present.

Companies are crying out for a new generation of qualified workers due to a skills shortage driven by new infrastructure projects, the government’s plans to build 300,000 homes a year, digitalisation of the industry and a rate of retirement that’s outstripping recruitment.

The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has reported that the industry will need to find 157,000 new recruits by 2021.

This skills shortage brings with it a host of opportunities, including great employment prospects, job security and an exciting and varied career.

Weston College is at the forefront of this drive to create the next generation of skilled workers. Our South West Skills Campus, based at Locking Road in Weston-super-Mare is a hub for younger learners entering the industry, with courses such as: bricklaying, site carpentry and general construction skills, among others.

This year we will also be opening our Construction Training Centre, which expands on the existing construction training facilities by offering training and qualifications in three areas where the skills gap is at its widest – scaffolding, plant operations and groundworks. This Centre is based just off the M5 at Weston-super-Mare. For more details on training in these areas, please click here.

So, now you know there are a host of relevant courses on your doorstep, here are some more reasons to choose a career in the construction industry.

Employment opportunities

Around 157,000 new construction jobs are expected to be created over the next four years, as new projects are announced and a generation of workers retires.

The government has pledged to build 300,000 new homes a year by the mid-2020s, which in itself, presents huge opportunities for aspiring construction workers.

Plus, the government has committed to an additional 3,000,000 apprenticeship ‘starts’ across all industries in England by 2020, with a substantial proportion of the opportunities likely to be within the construction sector.

This demand for workers also means that the sector boasts strong job security.

Job satisfaction

Few careers are as rewarding as those in the construction industry.

The satisfaction of seeing your work develop in front of your eyes is one of the most fulfilling aspects of working in construction. You can watch a building transform and grow into the finished product, knowing you have made an important and lasting contribution to the landscape.

Competitive pay

The construction industry is highly competitive, meaning that the salaries are, too. Most technical trainee roles can start on £25,000 a year, while more experienced technical workers can earn £48,000 and above. Trades roles also pay well, generally, with higher skilled workers earning from £15-£25 per hour.

Variety and choice

The construction industry is extremely varied and offers something for everyone – from carpenters, plasterers, plumbers and bricklayers, to engineers, surveyors and project managers. What’s more, no two jobs are the same or in the same location. This means you can work in a huge variety of projects during your career, and will have the opportunity to work across the country and, possibly, abroad.

You’re always being challenged – physically and mentally – and required to find solutions for new problems.

Progression opportunities

The wide variety of roles and projects brings many opportunities to progress. Construction is also viewed as a very meritocratic industry where hard work pays off – after all, many company CEOs started out at the bottom. And, unlike other sectors, construction workers are frequently presented with opportunities to gain new skills and move into different roles.

Innovation rewarded

The construction industry is constantly evolving, as client expectations grow, projects become more complex, and technology improves. Companies continuously need to find more innovative ways to design, build and deliver, which creates opportunities for new employees with fresh ideas and methods.

For more information on our construction courses, please click here.

A college-wide organisational transformation programme to enhance the mental health, wellbeing and welfare of its learners, its staff and its community has received national recognition by winning an Association of Colleges Beacon Award.

Weston College picked up the award for developing sustainable community partnerships/peer networks to maximise engagement and minimise isolation, where staff and students have improved morale and wellbeing.

The judges were impressed by the colleges’ commitment to creating an ethos which puts mental health, wellbeing and welfare at the forefront of college investment -as an inclusive driver to achieve its mission of creating brighter futures for all its staff and students regardless of their starting point in life.

Now in its 24th year, the AoC Beacon Awards showcase best practice and innovation in colleges. It is designed to promote the interdependence of colleges, businesses and professional and voluntary organisations. The awards also highlight excellence and helps share best practice across the sector.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said; “This is a fantastic achievement for the College in such an important policy area, where we are delivering real impact for our students and staff. “

Judges also commented on the fantastic cross college holistic approach to mental health and well-being that was demonstrated by the College, which really set them apart from everyone else.

David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “Each year the standard of entries is extremely high and this year is no exception. This makes choosing the winner so difficult, especially with so many worthy entrants.

“Colleges are inspirational places to learn because education and training is delivered by expert teaching staff in industry-standard facilities. Weston College should be proud of their award.”

For the first time, The AoC Beacon Awards and the TesFE Awards were presented alongside each other at the annual TES FE Awards ceremony in London on Friday 22 March 2019.