Last month, our Animal Management students took a trip to the Bristol Zoo Project to meet the wide range of animals and understand how a large-scale zoo operates. This was a fantastic opportunity for students to apply their knowledge of animal welfare and operations to an external organisation which attracts a high number of tourists each year.

Our Animal Management students' study both the theoretical and scientifical side of animal ecology, biology, and welfare, as well as the practical side of how to care for animals and keep their habitats maintained. Not only this, but they also learn about the operations behind animal centres such as the strategic oversight, administrative protocols, and commercial skills required to run these facilities.

Trips like this offer our students a valuable opportunity to apply their classroom learning to a real-world environment, deepening their understanding of animal behaviour, welfare, conservation and biodiversity. By observing different species and learning about their habitats, adaptations and care requirements, students can develop their practical knowledge and gain a greater appreciation of the responsibilities involved in working with animals.

The experience also helps students explore potential career pathways within the animal care and conservation industries, including zookeeping, wildlife conservation and animal welfare. Seeing how zoological organisations contribute to conservation efforts and educate the public about endangered species can inspire students to consider how they could make a positive impact on animal welfare and the protection of wildlife in their future careers.

Joe Trotham, Animal Management lecturer at Weston College, said, “Taking our students to organisations such as the Bristol Zoo Project is a fantastic opportunity for them to see how a successful wildlife conservation centre is run and gain a more in-depth understanding of the critical role that conservation zoos play in engaging communities and providing opportunities for the public to connect with wildlife. Seeing these principles put into practice gives students valuable insight into the importance of animal welfare, habitat preservation and biodiversity, while demonstrating how their studies can translate into meaningful careers within the animal management and conservation sectors.”

This curriculum trip forms part of the Animal Management Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.

Progress to the next level in Animal Management! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here!

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Weston College Customer Service Assistant and former apprentice, India Pasby, has been highly commended in the Intermediate Apprenticeship Award category at the South West regional heat of the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2026.

The regional awards ceremony took place on 13 October, recognising India’s inspiring apprenticeship journey, which has seen her overcome significant barriers, achieve a distinction and secure a full-time role at the College.

India started her Level 2 Customer Service Apprenticeship to gain valuable workplace experience while developing her confidence, communication skills and independence.

As a Reception and Customer Service Apprentice, India has become one of the first friendly faces welcoming visitors, students and parents to the College. Throughout her apprenticeship, she demonstrated exceptional personal and professional growth, developing strong customer service and organisational skills while confidently tackling challenges such as managing telephone calls and engaging in professional settings.

Beyond achieving a distinction in her apprenticeship, India played an important role in helping the reception team achieve its targets, championed greater understanding of neurodiversity among colleagues and created a popular Wall of Positivity at Knightstone Campus to celebrate team achievements and positive feedback.

The judges commented that India’s progression has been fantastic, and that she is a great role model for apprenticeships as she has overcome challenges and is thriving in her role.

Speaking about her recognition, India said: “I am delighted to be highly commended for this award; it feels very surreal. Before starting my apprenticeship, I never thought I'd be able to hold down a job, so being shortlisted means a great deal to me.

“It has made me realise the value of an inclusive environment and the impact that joining Weston College has had on my life. Looking back, I now understand that it wasn't about trying to fit into workplaces by masking who I was. It was about finding an employer that recognised my potential and provided the support I needed to succeed.”

India also thanked her manager, Sarah Cammish, her assessor, Ffion Rose, and her Autism Support colleague, Alison Goodman, for their support throughout her journey.

The National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards celebrate outstanding apprentices, T Level students, employers and skills champions across a range of industries. With more than 1,000 entries nationally, the awards recognise excellence in training, recruitment, diversity and career progression.

If you would like to find out about apprenticeships, then click here. 

Major funding award will expand training opportunities for learners, apprentices and adults across Weston-super-Mare and beyond.

Weston College has secured £8.8 million in government funding to support the continued development of its South West Skills Campus (SWSC) in Weston-super-Mare.

The £8.8 million investment has been awarded by the Department for Education through the Post-16 Capacity Fund and Construction Skills Capacity Fund and is one of the largest capital investments in the College's history.

The investment will create additional capacity at the South West Skills Campus, improve existing facilities and allow Weston College to support more learners, apprentices and adults looking to develop their skills.

It will also strengthen the College's ability to deliver the technical and vocational training that local and regional employers need, with a particular focus on construction and the technologies shaping the future of the industry.

The investment reflects Weston College's ambition to be a national leader in education, while remaining firmly rooted in the communities it serves. It will create more opportunities for people of all ages to access high-quality education and training, supporting learners to build their skills, confidence and careers.

As part of the development, the College will enhance its facilities for Carpentry and Joinery, Brickwork, Plumbing and Electrical Installation, alongside training in emerging areas of construction and low-carbon technology.

This will include:

• Digital Construction and Building Information Modelling (BIM)
• Drone Surveying
• Low-carbon technologies, including heat pumps, renewable energy systems and retrofit.

The project will also support the ongoing decarbonisation of the South West Skills Campus, with investment in more energy-efficient infrastructure and low-carbon technologies. This reflects the College's commitment to sustainability, ensuring investment in its campuses delivers long-term value for learners, staff and the wider community.

Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said:

"This £8.8 million investment is transformational for Weston College, our learners, our town and the wider region. It reflects the confidence that government has in our ability to deliver the skills that employers need, both now and in the future.

"The South West Skills Campus already plays a vital role in supporting learners, apprentices and industry partners. This funding will enable us to further expand capacity, enhance our facilities and ensure students gain experience with the technologies that are shaping the future of construction and technical industries.

"Most importantly, it will create more opportunities for local people to access outstanding education and training, helping them build successful careers while supporting economic growth across our region."

The College's approach is grounded in its values of integrity, compassion, ambition and being people-centred. These values will continue to shape how the new facilities are developed and how learners, apprentices, employers and partners experience the South West Skills Campus.

Dan Aldridge, MP for Weston-super-Mare, said:

"Investing in the next generation is exactly what this Labour Government is here to do, and I'm delighted that Weston College has secured £8.8 million through the Department for Education's Post-16 Capacity Fund and Construction Skills Capacity Fund.

"This is one of the largest capital investments in the College's history and a real vote of confidence in Weston. It will expand opportunities for post-16 students, apprentices and adult learners, while creating state-of-the-art facilities for construction, digital technologies, drone surveying and low-carbon skills like heat pumps and renewable energy.

"I've worked closely with Weston College since becoming an MP and have seen first-hand the incredible work they do to prepare people for the jobs of the future. This investment will help local people gain the skills employers need, create more pathways into good careers, and strengthen Weston's economy for years to come."

The investment comes at a time of growing demand for technical skills and for training that reflects the changing needs of employers.

For Weston College, the funding will mean more people can access high-quality technical education and gain practical experience with the technologies and skills increasingly required across the construction and wider technical sectors.

It will also help strengthen progression routes into employment, further and higher education, apprenticeships and skilled careers, supporting the College's wider contribution to the economy of Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset and the South West.

This project is supported through Department for Education funding awarded via the Post-16 Capacity Fund and Construction Skills Capacity Fund. Weston College acknowledges the support of the Department for Education in enabling the development of the South West Skills Campus and the expansion of high-quality technical education and training opportunities across the region.