Having recently written about the precarious situation in which further education currently finds itself, it’s great to be able to discuss a far more positive subject.

Our newly built Construction Training Centre has been open a few months now and has, so far, been met with universal approval.

There’s a good chance you’ve already seen the centre as it’s visible as you enter Weston from junction 21 of the M5. But if not, let me tell you, it’s a hugely impressive sight – particularly the vast ‘hangar-style’ building, which is used for scaffolding training and warehouse-based activities, such as forklifting.

The centre also provides courses in plant operations, highways and groundworks, and large vehicle driver training.

As well as the purpose-built practical training areas, the centre boasts six classrooms (which ‘open out’ to form meeting rooms), an ICT suite, CSCS testing facility and canteen.

The centre was developed in response to the growing demand for a trained and skilled construction workforce in the region. With that in mind, the training has been developed with employers’ requirements in mind – namely to provide the skills business’s need, when they need them.

And we’re already seeing the benefit of this approach, with bookings for training – from employers and individuals – already exceeding expectations.

Not only that, we’ve been inundated with positive feedback on the facilities, and the quality and range of the training.

Among the reasons for the construction sector’s widening skills gap is the scarcity of specialist training facilities across the country. To illustrate the point, before our centre opened, there was nowhere in England to train scaffolding workers between Plymouth and Birmingham. Our centre – conveniently situated off the M5 – provides businesses and workers in the south west region with a purpose-built resource on their doorstep (comparatively).

This is particularly important given that the region will be home to a number of nationally significant developments over the next decade.

But as with any development of this nature, it wouldn’t be possible without the support and input of a range of partner organisations, including North Somerset Council and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership.

Likewise, the project has benefitted from our long-running relationship with Midas Construction, who were commissioned to build the centre. They understand the College, our priorities and how to provide the learning environment that students and businesses need.

Another key partner in the development are scaffolding training and safety experts, Simian, who deliver CISRS scaffolding training and other related health and safety courses at the centre. Simian are world leaders in the sector and their expertise has enabled us to develop these outstanding facilities and offer sought-after courses.

Although it’s still early days for the centre, the signs are extremely promising – and that’s great news for students, employees, businesses and the wider construction industry.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE

Principal and CEO

You can take a closer look at our courses and facilities on the construction section of Weston College’s website, or the dedicated Construction Training Centre site. You can also apply for our construction courses and training straight through these websites.

Weston College students will be at the forefront of the brand new Digital T Level qualification, which will be launched in September 2020.

T Levels are central to the Government’s plans to improve technical and vocational education. With content designed by employers, these new 2-year, post-GCSE courses aim to deliver a pipeline of skilled young people to help businesses thrive.

The T Level qualification is a highly technical alternative to A Levels, and is part of the Government’s commitment to giving people access to high-quality training opportunities.

T Levels will combine classroom theory, practical learning and an industry placement – of at least 315 hours, or approximately 45 days – where students will build the knowledge and skills they need in a workplace environment.

Damian Hinds, Education Secretary, said: “Everyone agrees that a radical shake-up of technical and vocational education in this country is long overdue. T Levels are our chance to do that – offering young people high-quality alternatives to our world-class A Levels from September 2020.”

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said: “T Levels have been described as the biggest overhaul in post-school education for 70 years.

“For Weston College to be at the forefront of this revolution is an honour and an exciting challenge. We’ve built a national reputation for the quality of our teaching and helping to launch this pioneering programme only enhances that standing.

“From September 2020 we will be offering a Digital T Level and this represents a tremendous opportunity for school leavers in Weston-super-Mare, Bristol and beyond.

“T levels are shaped by employers and benefit from the unique insights of industry leaders. This means learners will be equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to get ahead in the modern jobs market.”

If you or your child is interested in studying a Digital T Level from September 2020 please fill out the form below and a member of our team will be in touch to let you know how.

Weston College has been awarded funds to train five industry professionals to work as post-16 teachers.

It is one of 45 further education (FE) providers selected by the government to receive funding as part of the Taking Teaching Further (TTF) programme. The initiative was unveiled last year to recruit and retrain industry specialists to work in the FE workforce.

The College will use the funding to recruit specialists from the engineering and digital industries.

Successful candidates, who must have at least three years’ experience in either the engineering or digital sector, will benefit from a specialised teacher training programme over the first two years of employment.

This includes:

• A fully recognised teacher training qualification

• An eight-week induction programme

• A reduced teaching timetable to provide more opportunities for professional development, planning and reflection.

If you’re interested in applying, or would like more information, contact Edd Brown on 01934 411693 or email your CV to Edward.brown@weston.ac.uk or attend our Engineering to education event on the 25th July. 16:00 - 18:30 at our South West Skills Campus. 

TTF is part of a wider drive to prepare for the introduction of T Levels from 2020. T Levels, which will be available at Weston College, are vocational equivalents to A Levels and will cover 15 industry-related subjects. They have been introduced to help produce skilled workers for sectors that have found it difficult to recruit in recent years.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “This is a unique opportunity for engineering or digital specialists to embark on a rewarding career in further education.

“It not only gives them a head-start in the industry, but enables them to work at one of the country’s top Colleges and benefit from all the support, resources and progression opportunities they’ll need to achieve success.”

In announcing the winning TTF bids, Apprenticeships and Skills Minister, Anne Milton said: “Teaching in further education is an incredibly rewarding career. We are reforming technical education in this country with the introduction of new T Levels and we want more staff with industry skills to pass on their expertise and inspire the next generation.

“I’m thrilled to announce the second round of providers who will be offered funding to help over 160 industry professionals to become FE teachers.

“We’ve already seen fantastic stories of success. The fund has supported 47 new teachers to date, and I am looking forward to more teachers joining the profession to inspire, energise and bring on the next generation of highly-skilled young people.”

TTF was designed in partnership with the Association of Colleges and the Education and Training Foundation.

The foundation’s chief executive David Russell said there was a “vital need” to bring industry talent into the sector to pass expertise and experience on to learners, teachers and trainers.