Last month, three learners from our Into-Work and Welding programs achieved exceptional results at the National Finals of the prestigious WorldSkills Competition. This event was held in Manchester and tested students’ problem-solving, employability, and creativity skills, and our learners rose to the occasion with remarkable performances. 

Amber Hinton, a second-year Into-Work student with aspirations in childcare, competed in the Foundation Health and Social Care category. Despite being self-taught in this field, Amber’s performance was extraordinary. Competing against Level 2 students, she demonstrated NHS-standard handwashing techniques and tackled complex questions with confidence. Amber’s efforts earned her a well-deserved Bronze medal and 3rd place overall in her category—a testament to her determination and talent.  

Amber said, “my favourite part of the competition was meeting new people as I got to make friends with people in my category. I would do it all again 1000 times over and I feel like everyone should go through and experience it.”  

Jack Stevens, an Into-Work learner who transitioned from an internship to paid work at Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity, competed in the Foundation Horticulture category. Tasked with creating six planters—three indoor and three outdoor—and merchandising his display with a seasonal garden centre theme, Jack showcased incredible creativity and precision, earning a fantastic 4th place within his category. 

Aidan Pocknell, a Level 3 Plate Welder Apprentice, faced intense competition in a challenging category that tested both his skill and his composure under pressure. His impeccable welds and strong work ethic earned him a Highly Commended award, highlighting his dedication and craftsmanship.

Aidan said, “it went very well! I was awarded Highly Commended and placed 6th out of 10 participants. I’m very happy with how I performed overall! There were a few moments where I felt overwhelmed during the competition, but I overcame them. In the end it was all worth it and it was a great experience that I would encourage anyone to participate in if they get the chance.”

These achievements demonstrate the impact of the Into-Work and Welding programs. From providing the skills necessary to excel in competitive environments to inspiring personal growth, these programs are empowering learners to reach their full potential.

For Jack and Amber, the experience was even more remarkable as it marked their first visit to a major city, making their accomplishments at the WorldSkills Finals a milestone in their educational and personal journeys.

Congratulations to Amber, Jack, and Aidan for their outstanding achievements. Their success is a shining example of what’s possible when passion, hard work, and support come together. 

Hi, I’m Nick, and I am a Maintenance Controller in the Operational Engineering Department at The Bristol Port Company.

I joined The Bristol Port Company in 2015 as a mechanical engineer. I was employed primarily as a crane engineer but also maintained and repaired other kit such as conveyors, blenders and roller/hammer mills. After years of working as a production engineer on FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) production lines this was my first foray into heavy engineering, but I relished the new challenge.

After approximately 5 years as an engineer, I applied for the role of Maintenance Controller and was successful! I have now been in this role for over five years. My responsibilities now include managing a team of engineers, planning maintenance, sourcing spares, liaising with OEM (original equipment manufacturer) suppliers, issuing permits-to-work and writing risk assessments and method statements.

This was my first experience as a manager, so the head of Operational Engineering (my boss) told me about the ILM Leadership and Management apprenticeship, then encouraged me to do it, as he felt it would be beneficial to me in my new role as a manager.

The apprenticeship has helped me in the workplace significantly. I am now better equipped to deal with all the trials and tribulations that are thrown at you as a manager. During my apprenticeship I learnt many new methods and was given proven models to use in my everyday life at work. These help me manage people, my time and my tasks more efficiently and enable me to be more emotionally intelligent when dealing with personnel issues.

An example of a standout moments from your apprenticeship was the outward-bound course in the Lake District. It was fun and challenging at the same time. Also, spending time with employees from other departments of the company really improved our working relationships. I was able to learn about effective leadership in a hands-on environment.

Weston College provided robust support throughout the apprenticeship. Before starting, they guided me through the enrolment process and outlined what to expect. During the program, I had access to a dedicated mentor, regular check-ins, and resources tailored to my role. After completing the apprenticeship, they continued to offer workshops and networking opportunities to ensure I stayed updated with best practices.

After my apprenticeship, transitioning fully into my Maintenance Controller role felt seamless. The knowledge and skills I had gained during the programme gave me confidence in managing my team, planning maintenance tasks, and handling supplier negotiations. I felt more prepared to take ownership of my responsibilities and lead effectively.

My time at Bristol Port has brought unexpected opportunities, such as being invited to participate in high-level strategic planning sessions. Additionally, I’ve had the chance to mentor newer engineers and apprentices.

Working at Bristol Port comes with several benefits, including job stability, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive work culture. The company also provides competitive pay, training programmes, and access to resources that help in both personal and professional development.

My future aspirations are to continue learning, and to shadow the Head of Operational Engineering to enable me to effectively stand in for him in his absence. I also hope to play a more significant role in shaping long-term maintenance strategies and mentoring young engineers and apprentices at Bristol Port.

I would highly recommend doing a leadership apprenticeship! The apprenticeship not only equips you with practical skills but also builds your confidence and emotional intelligence as a manager. It’s a worthwhile investment in your career and offers tools that can be applied immediately to improve your professional performance.

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 in November, our staff and students came together in a powerful display of solidarity for Movember, a global campaign dedicated to raising awareness about men’s mental health and prostate cancer. Building on the success of last year’s initiative, our vice principals and student engagement team organised a series of activities aimed at promoting physical and mental well-being. 

“Move for Movember” Challenge: Aiming for 96,000 Minutes of Exercise 

As part of the Movember initiative, we launched the "Move for Movember" challenge, encouraging staff to accumulate as many minutes of exercise as possible throughout the month of November. In recognition of the 60 men lost to suicide every hour globally, the challenge aimed to reach a target of 96,000 minutes—160% of last year’s total of 60,000 minutes. Last year, staff members collectively exceeded expectations with 69,610 minutes of exercise recorded across more than 1,000 entries, and this year’s goal was to take that achievement even further. 

Two of Weston College’s Vice Principals committed to exercising for 60 minutes daily throughout the month, as a show of dedication to the cause. In total, staff participated in a variety of activities, ranging from high-intensity workouts to low-impact exercises, such as leisurely dog walks, chair aerobics, and swimming. As part of the challenge, participants were also encouraged to join in at their own pace and find exercise that worked for them, reinforcing the connection between physical activity and mental well-being. 

Men’s Talk Club: Offering Safe Spaces for Discussion 

In addition to the physical activity challenge, we introduced Men’s Talk Club taster sessions at its three campuses to further engage students in conversations about mental health. These sessions, facilitated by staff and a member of the External Men’s Talk Club charity, provided a safe, non-judgmental space for male students to discuss their emotions and experiences. The aim was to establish permanent Talk Clubs on campus, offering peer support and creating networks for students facing common stresses and worries. 

These initial sessions provided an introduction to the future Talk Clubs, giving students the opportunity to learn about the supportive networks being created and understand the importance of mental health awareness. 

Campus Challenges: Building Community Spirit 

We also introduced a fun and competitive element to Movember with a series of campus v campus rowing challenges. A rowing machine was placed in the reception area of each campus, with students encouraged to row as many metres as possible for their campus. The challenge sparked excitement and friendly competition among the students, with some pushing themselves to extraordinary distances. The event was a fantastic success, helping students to stay active while supporting a crucial cause. 

" A huge thank you to all the staff who participated in Move for Movember 2024 - we recorded a staggering 73,703 minutes of exercise across the month," said Ben Knocks, Vice Principal for Student Experience and Support. "This may not have been above our challenging target but is still 4,092 more minutes than we achieved in 2023. " 

We'd like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who took part in Movember activities, from the "Move for Movember" challenge to the rowing competition and Men’s Talk Club taster sessions. The community spirit displayed this month has been exceptional, and we are grateful for everyone’s involvement in helping to raise awareness for men’s mental health.