Today, Somerset Chamber of Commerce hosted a Business Brunch at The Grove, located at our Knightstone Campus. The event provided a valuable opportunity for businesses from across Somerset to come together, connect, and network. The brunch included a compelling fireside chat between Pat Jones, Principal and CEO of Weston College Group, and David Crew, Managing Director of Somerset Chamber of Commerce. Together, they explored Pat’s career journey, leadership approaches, and her vision for the future of Weston College. Following the conversation, attendees were invited to engage directly by asking Pat questions, which led to insightful discussions.

Pat highlighted the important role that businesses play in shaping the futures of students and young people through opportunities such as T Level placements, apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships, and supported internships. Drawing on her own journey – as she began her own career through an apprenticeship - Pat shared how transformative such opportunities can be, offering life-changing personal and professional growth for both young people and adults.

The brunch itself was well prepared and served by our wonderful Level 1 Hospitality and Catering learners, earning praise from many attendees. Thank you to all of the learners who contributed - your hard work and professionalism helped make the Brunch a thoroughly enjoyable experience for everyone!

Welcome to the Weston College Careers & Employability Team Monthly Blog!

This month, we’re excited to welcome Carys to the team as our new UCAS and Higher Education Advisor. Here is a little more about our newest member of our team:

“My name is Carys and I'm the new UCAS and Higher Education Advisor. With several years of experience supporting young people in college settings, I’m here to help learners navigate every step of the university application process.

"Whether you’re uncertain about which course or university to choose, need assistance setting up your UCAS account and completing your application, want advice on crafting a strong personal statement, or simply feel a bit overwhelmed, I’m here for you. No question is too small —I'm here to support you throughout the entire journey.

We track your application progress every step of the way, so we can provide guidance even on results day! You can reach me on Teams or via our uni.help@weston.ac.uk email.”

We’d also like to send our best wishes to Sophie, who has now started her maternity leave. Sophie has worked at the college for several years now and built strong connections with her faculties especially the Health and Social Care T level supporting learners to source, prepare and gain the most of their placements. All the best, Sophie – we can’t wait to meet your little one!

Celebrating a Successful Partnership: Careers Excellence Hub and Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Working with Noah's Ark Zoo Farm for our Careers Excellence Hub in Animal Management has been one of the most successful partnerships we have had. The collaboration has provided our students with invaluable insights into the zoo industry and the personal career journeys of the dedicated staff at Noah's Ark.

Noah's Ark staff have actively participated in career fairs and industry talks, sharing their expertise and experiences with our students. This engagement has not only inspired our students but also given them a realistic view of what it takes to work in the zoo industry.

One of the highlights of this partnership is the exclusive pipeline to Noah's Ark's work experience programme. This programme offers fantastic opportunities for both our T-Level and BTEC Animal Management students to work alongside experienced keepers. The programme is designed to support learners from the start, setting initial targets and providing mentorship to help them understand the work ethic and skills required in the industry.

A shining example of this partnership's success is T-Level student Magdalena, who has been on an industry placement with Noah's Ark since October 2024. Working alongside the birds and reptile keepers, Magdalena has achieved one of her targets by successfully flying Bella the Barn Owl. This accomplishment is a testament to her hard work and dedication.

Through her placement, Magdalena has not only learned about avian and reptile care and behaviour but has also gained vital employability skills such as teamwork, communication, professional behaviour, and problem-solving. These skills are essential for her future career in animal management and beyond.

We are incredibly proud of Magdalena and all our students who have benefited from this partnership. The collaboration with Noah's Ark Zoo Farm continues to be a cornerstone of our Careers Excellence Hub, providing our students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences they need to succeed in the animal management industry.

We look forward to continuing this successful partnership and seeing more of our students thrive in their careers, inspired by the dedicated professionals at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm.

A huge well done to our T Level Business and Digital learners, who have successfully completed their bootcamp placement in preparation for their main summer placement with Lloyds Bank.

They’ve settled in brilliantly, representing the college with professionalism and enthusiasm. During the bootcamp, they met their new teams, took part in team-building activities, and began adjusting to the workplace environment.

Wishing them the best of luck for the summer ahead!

Team Success

Congratulations to Careers and Employability team members Sarah, Sophie, and Emma on successfully completing their Level 6 Careers Guidance qualification!

• UCAS Hub Opens for learners to begin completing their applications - Tuesday 13th May 2025 (For learners who will be starting University in September 2026)  
• University Centre Weston Open Day - Saturday 7th June 2025 
• Summer Show - 7th June 2025
• UCAS Offer Deadline - Thursday 5th June 2025 (Learners must respond to their offers from universities or it will be automatically deleted).  
• UCAS Extra Closes - Thursday 4th July 2025 
• UCAS Clearing Opens - Friday 5th July 2025 
• A Level and T Level Results Day - Thursday 14th August 2025 
• UCAS applications are open and learners can submit - Tuesday 2nd September 2025 (For learners who will be starting University in September 2026)  

A group of Year 2 BTEC Civil Engineering learners recently visited Beard Construction Ltd’s site at the Bristol Zoo Project in North Bristol. The visit was part of the national “Open Doors” initiative, organised by Build UK, which offers students and members of the public a chance to explore live construction sites and discover the diverse career opportunities within the industry. The event was arranged by Bev Parfitt, the Social Value Co-Ordinator at Beard Construction.

The visit began with a Health and Safety briefing at the site offices, followed by an overview of the £9.2 million project, delivered by Beard’s site management team. The project involves the construction of a new Central African Forest habitat at the Bristol Zoo Project, which will bring together critically endangered Western lowland gorillas and endangered cherry-crowned mangabeys for the first time in a UK zoo.

Learners were then taken on a guided tour of the site, where they observed key stages of the construction process. Highlights included the installation of pre-cast concrete retaining walls, steel frame installation, and roof construction. The group also took note of the foundation construction methods as these closely aligned with topics currently being covered in their coursework.

Students also witnessed the lifting and placement of a concrete unit, learning how these elements are installed with precision to ensure they meet the required tolerances and remain level. This gave them valuable insight into the practical application of engineering principles.

The students also loved seeing some of the zoo’s animals, including red pandas and giraffes, observing the construction activity.

The project is expected to be completed by late summer 2025 and handed over to the client. Daniel Comerford, Construction Professions Lecturer at Weston College, commented, “The learners and staff found the visit very interesting and exciting. It was inspiring to see such a complex construction project being carried out to such a high standard. It was also a great opportunity for students to connect their classroom learning with real-world construction practice.”

A big thank you to the Beard Construction site team for their time and insight. We look forward to future opportunities to collaborate and provide learners with more hands-on experiences in the construction industry.

If you’re interested in applying to one of our Construction courses, 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.