Recently, our Construction learners delivered several high-quality flowerbeds to Weston Hospital for their Sanctuary Garden as part of the students’ Growth & Grace Community Action Project, creating a space that patients and staff can visit filled with plants and flowers that have been grown on site. 

This was a fantastic initiative led by the Construction trades, getting all students involved to build 11 high-quality planters and a potting table. Students also created a wooden crate and supplied a variety of seeds and bulbs, bags of soil, gardening tools, and watering cans to provide the hospital with everything they need to begin growing their sanctuary garden. 

Each of the Construction trades worked hard to create the planters using recycled materials, learning new skills and gaining a better understanding of the importance of community engagement. From Plumbing, Electrical and Plastering, to Bricklaying and Carpentry, our students worked together to design, build, and treat the planters. Not only this, students also explored the role of the hospital, the importance of community, and how their skills can positively impact others within their Personal Development sessions. 

Students and staff then delivered the planters to the hospital, setting them in place as directed and treating the wood again before filling them with soil ready to be used. They also attached a wire trellis above the larger planter to allow for the plants to grow and flourish. This was a fantastic opportunity for the students to see the space that they had created and meet the staff who will help to maintain the area, allowing them to experience the impact that their work has had on the community and give them a sense of pride in their work. 

Richard Hanney, Head of Construction Trades at Weston College, said, “The standard of work and attitude from our learners has been outstanding. They have delivered on their promise, and more importantly, they have represented the very best of what young people can bring to their community. The Growth & Grace is not a one-off project, it’s the start of a long-term partnership with Weston General Hospital and the Chaplaincy team, supporting the incredible work they do.” 

One of our Bricklaying students, Izzy, added what this project has meant to her, saying, “It was lovely to deliver these planters to the hospital and make somewhere that can often be quite a sad environment a little bit brighter. I’ve found myself visiting family at Weston Hospital, so it feels good to come for something happy and do something nice for the community and the patients.” 

A huge well done to the students who got involved with this initiative, your hard work made this project a success!  

This Community Engagement Project forms part of the Construction 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.  

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. 

Last month, our Protective Services students continued their Ten Tors training, walking several miles in difficult terrains and rough camping to prepare them for the Ten Tors Challenge next month where they will push their limits against other students in this competition. 

The Ten Tors Challenge gives thousands of students the opportunity to navigate a course of 35, 45, or 55 miles in teams across Dartmoor over two days. Teams are required to be completely self-sufficient, carrying all their equipment and supplies necessary to safely complete their route and camp overnight. Along the way, they must reach ten nominated tors or checkpoints, testing not only their physical endurance but also their navigation and survival skills. 

On the first day of their training, the students completed an impressive 20-mile route before they settled down for the night and set up their overnight wild camp. This prepared them both physically and mentally for the next stage of their training and gave them an idea of the expectations and challenges that they will face during the official Ten Tors Challenge. 

On the second day of training, the session was cut shorter than planned due to an injury, however, the students quickly worked together and showed strong leadership and initiative, supporting their peers and prioritising safety and wellbeing.  

This experience highlighted the core attributes developed within our Protective Services course. Improving their teamwork skills, composure under pressure, and the ability to lead effectively in challenging and unpredictable environments. Students demonstrated exceptional resilience, unwavering dedication, and strong communication, key qualities essential for a career in the protective services. The efforts from the students were a promising reflection of their commitment and potential for their future careers. 

David Usher, Protective Services lecturer at Weston College, said, “It was fantastic to not only see how far our students have come physically by pushing them to their limits, but also seeing how much they’ve grown mentally, particularly in the face of adversities. The students worked together and overcame challenges, reflecting their adaptability and resilience, and seeing the support they have for their team is the most important skill our students can take away from the UPS course and apply to any future career.” 

A huge well done to all the students who got involved and good luck for the official Ten Tors Challenge in May! 

This curriculum trip forms part of the Protective Services 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.  

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. 

Welcome to the April Edition of the Careers and Employability Team Blog! 

As we move into April, our focus remains on supporting our learners to develop their skills, understand their pathways, and make progress toward meaningful destinations.

Careers Café Success! 

Our recent Careers Café sessions have been a great success, giving students the chance to drop in, chat informally, and get personalised guidance from our Careers Coordinators. The relaxed café-style setting has made it easier for students to ask questions, explore their ideas, and build confidence around their next steps. 

We’ve loved seeing so many students take the opportunity to talk through courses, apprenticeships, work experience, CVs, and future goals. The Careers Coordinators have been on hand throughout, offering tailored advice and helping students understand the wide range of pathways available. 

A huge well done to every student who came along - your enthusiasm and curiosity made each session lively and meaningful. And thank you to our brilliant Careers Coordinators for creating such a supportive and welcoming space. 

A reminder that our Careers drop-ins take place every week. 

All drop-in sessions take place between 12:15pm and 1:15pm on the following days and locations

• Loxton Library: Every Tuesday 
• South West Skills Campus Library: Every Wednesday 
• Knightstone Library: Every Thursday  

Celebrating Our CV Competition: Over 65 Impressive Entries and Valuable Feedback Ahead 

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been blown away by the enthusiasm and hard work students put into our CV Competition. With more than 65 entries submitted, this has been one of our most successful competitions yet — and the standard has been incredibly high. 

What made this competition especially exciting was seeing the range of experiences, career ambitions, and personal stories reflected in the submissions. Whether students were applying for part-time roles, apprenticeships, internships, or their dream future careers, each CV showed genuine effort and growth. 

What Happens Next? 

Our team is now carefully reviewing every CV. Because we want this competition to be a meaningful learning experience for everyone involved, we’ll be offering individualised feedback to all entrants and will be announcing the winners as soon as possible.

From Industry Placement to Degree Apprenticeship: A T-Level Success Story 

This term, we’re celebrating an inspiring achievement from one of our T Level students from Business and Administration, who has shown exactly where hard work, determination, and high-quality industry experience can lead. 

As part of his T Level programme, Thomas completed a 10-week industry placement with Lloyds Bank in Bristol alongside other students from Weston College. Throughout the placement, he demonstrated professionalism, enthusiasm, and a real willingness to learn - qualities that made a strong impression on the team at Lloyds. 

His strong performance opened an exciting door: an invitation to apply for Lloyds Bank’s competitive Degree Apprenticeship programme. Rising to the challenge, Thomas completed each stage of the application process, including attending a full assessment centre alongside candidates from across the region. His hard work paid off - he successfully secured a place on the Degree Apprenticeship, starting this September. 

This fantastic achievement highlights the value of T-Level industry placements in giving students real-world experience, industry insight, and, in some cases, a direct pathway into long term career opportunities. We’re incredibly proud of their journey and wish him continued success as he embarks on this next exciting chapter with Lloyds Bank.

Key Dates: 

Thursday 9th April 2026 - Weston Jobs Fair

Tuesday 14th April 2026 - Knightstone Campus Half-Term Workshops

Wednesday 15th April 2026 - Loxton Campus Half-Term Workshops

Wednesday 22nd April 2026 - Engineering Fast Track Event

Get in touch with the Careers and Employability Team, by clicking here.