LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES
There is always so much going on across our various campuses and courses.
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It’s our T Level Takeover Week! To kick things off, we thought we would take a look into the top 5 reasons why you should consider studying T Levels!
If you’re not sure what T Levels are, they are innovative courses designed to bridge the gap between academic and vocational education, and they will offer you a practical and industry-focused learning experience.
Here are our top 5 reasons to study T Levels:
1. They are a Direct Pathway to Employment
One of the most significant advantages of pursuing T Levels is the direct pathway they offer to employment. T Levels are designed in collaboration with industry experts, ensuring that the skills and knowledge acquired during the course align with the demands of the job market. By studying a T Level, you gain valuable practical experience and expertise in a specific industry sector, making you highly employable upon completion. Employers often value T Level qualifications due to their practical nature, making them a great choice for individuals seeking immediate career opportunities.
2. Extensive Industry Placement Opportunities
T Levels provide students with invaluable opportunities to gain real-world work experience through industry placements. These placements, lasting for a minimum of 315 hours, allow you to apply the skills and knowledge you've learned in the classroom to a professional setting. These hands-on experiences enable you to develop a deeper understanding of the industry, establish valuable connections, and enhance your employability. Industry placements also help you make informed decisions about your future career path, allowing you to explore different roles and industries before committing to a specific job.
We work with some amazing local employers that offer T Level learners placements too, from Hydrock to Suez – they are a fantastic way of developing your skills and CV, ready for your career.
3. Higher Education Progression
While T Levels are a fantastic option for students seeking direct entry into the workforce, they also provide a pathway to higher education. T Level qualifications are recognised by universities, and many institutions offer specific progression routes for T Level students. By completing a T Level, you can accumulate UCAS points, making you eligible for higher education courses. Whether you choose to pursue a degree related to your T Level or explore other fields, T Levels serve as a solid foundation, equipping you with practical skills and knowledge that can greatly enhance your university studies – especially if you are looking at degree apprenticeships.
4. Enhanced Career Prospects
In today's competitive job market, having a qualification that sets you apart is crucial. T Levels offer a unique opportunity to gain industry-recognised skills and qualifications, setting you up for long-term career success. Employers value the practical skills developed through T Levels, as they demonstrate your ability to apply knowledge to real-world scenarios. With T Levels in your arsenal, you'll have a competitive edge over others in the job market, opening doors to a wide range of rewarding career opportunities.
5. Personal and Professional Development
Studying T Levels not only equips you with practical skills but also fosters personal and professional development. T Level courses are designed to nurture transferable skills such as teamwork, problem-solving, communication, and adaptability. These skills are highly sought after in today's dynamic work environments, and T Levels provide an excellent platform to develop and showcase them. Moreover, T Levels instill confidence, independence, and a strong work ethic, preparing you to thrive in your chosen career and face the challenges of the ever-evolving job market.
T Levels offer a refreshing and effective alternative to traditional academic pathways, equipping students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the workplace. Whether you're eager to jumpstart your career, gain valuable work experience, or progress to higher education, T Levels provide a versatile and future-ready qualification.
By choosing to study T Levels, you open the doors to a world of opportunities, enhancing your employability and setting the stage for a fulfilling and prosperous professional journey.
Embrace the chance to build practical skills, gain industry recognition, and be prepared for the demands of the modern workforce with T Levels.
Find out more about our available T Levels, by clicking here.
Weston College learners have returned triumphant after a successful day at the Young Enterprise Awards.
This month, some of our fantastic Sixth Form learners attended the Young Enterprise Awards. One of our teams, ‘Crystals on a String’, secured an impressive three achievements, including the prestigious Award for Best Customer Service.
All our learners worked incredibly hard throughout the competition to deliver carefully crafted presentations to a large audience.
We would like to give a special mention to Economics Lecturer, Aaron Wilson, who lead the team through the competition. His expertise, perseverance, and mentorship of the learners throughout the process ensured their success on the day.
We are so proud of our learners for what they have achieved. This experience has been invaluable for all teams taking part, and it is a great example of where hard work and dedication can get you.
Congratulations to ‘Crystals on a String’ and the rest of our participating students on their well-deserved success.
To find out more about opportunities at our Sixth Form, click here.
Weston College's Automotive learners were given a fantastic opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of luxury automobiles during an unforgettable visit to Career Excellence Hub Partner, Mercedes-Benz, Weston-super-Mare dealership.
The amazing trip allowed learners to explore the garages and engage in enlightening conversations with managers, salesmen, and mechanics.
The excursion was part of Weston College's commitment to providing its students with hands-on experiences that enhance their learning and career prospects. By collaborating with renowned industry leaders like Mercedes-Benz, the college aims to expose its learners to real-world scenarios and foster a deeper understanding of the automotive industry.
During their visit, the motor vehicle learners were welcomed onto the bustling shop floor of the Mercedes-Benz dealership, where they witnessed firsthand the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into creating each iconic vehicle. From the sleek exteriors to the state-of-the-art technology embedded within, the learners gained invaluable insights into the manufacturing process and the attention to detail that distinguishes Mercedes-Benz from its competitors.
In addition to observing the shop floor operations, the learners had the opportunity to engage in in-depth conversations with the dealership's knowledgeable managers, salesmen, and mechanics. These industry professionals generously shared their expertise, offering practical advice and shedding light on the various career pathways available within the automotive sector.
Learners eagerly absorbed the wealth of information, asking insightful questions and gaining a clearer perspective on the skills and attributes required to thrive in this fast-paced industry.
Chris Priest, the Subject Area Manager for Automotive at Weston College, expressed his enthusiasm for the visit, saying: "We are incredibly grateful to Mercedes-Benz for welcoming our learners and providing them with such an extraordinary learning experience."
“Engaging with industry professionals and witnessing the inner workings of a prestigious dealership has undoubtedly broadened their horizons and ignited their passion for pursuing careers in the automotive field."
Find out more about Weston College’s Automotive courses, by clicking here.
Recently, we welcomed construction company Tica Acad to South West Skills Campus, to deliver an informative session to our plastering students, on the importance of thermal insulation.
The interactive product demonstration captivated the learners, who were delighted to discover the future earning potential associated within the industry.
At Weston College, learners are treated to unrivalled access from employers, as part of the Career Excellence Hub. Learners can gain work experience, get insight from industry leaders and complete a study programme that has input from the industry.
The visit by Tica Acad proved to be an invaluable experience for the students. The session commenced with an engaging presentation that emphasised the significance of thermal insulation in modern construction and highlighted its positive impact on energy efficiency, sustainability, and occupant comfort.
They also shared progression opportunities within the company, particularly through apprenticeships. Operations Manager for Construction, Richard Hanney, said: "We were thrilled to have Tica Acad visit South West Skills Campus and share their expertise with our plastering learners.
"The interactive product demonstration provided our students with valuable hands-on experience and deepened their understanding of the importance of thermal insulation. Tica Acad's commitment to offering apprenticeship opportunities was especially exciting for our learners, as it opens doors to a prosperous future in a growing sector."
Find out more about our construction courses, by clicking here.
My name is Jason, and I am the General Manager at the Club and Spa Cadbury House. DoubleTree by Hilton Cadbury House is the South West’s finest four-star boutique hotel and spa, and provides event spaces for weddings, private parties, business events, spa breaks or dining experiences. My role at the business is to oversee the day-to-day running of the Health Club and Spa.
We have worked with Weston College for a number of years, as we can see that the students get the best possible help, support and training from the excellent team of tutors available, and we trust the judgement from them on the students that they recommend to us.
We have regularly employed students from the college in various departments of the business as well as giving many students the opportunity for work experience. We find work experience is extremely beneficial as it allows the learner to see first-hand how a business operates in their first steps before employment. We have regular communication with the tutors and business team, to make sure the relationship is always strong.
Working with the college has given students the opportunity to apply for various positions within the Heath Club and Spa. We have recruited many college leavers in the 16 years that I have been in charge, which has really helped us to grow our business. By having regular contact with the Weston College Team and a close working relationship, I know each leaver has been trained to the highest of standards from the excellent tutors and will provide us the experience that our guests expect. Furthermore, this is also beneficial in helping with a career for the individual.
I would highly recommend the College whatever course someone chooses; we have an amazing relationship and long may it continue!
Recently our Level 3 Health and Social Care learners took a trip to London.
The aim of the trip was to encourage the students to learn and gain an understanding of London’s rich medical history, while also experiencing the amazing sights the city has to offer.
Learners explored Florence Nightingale and Mary Seacole's historical impact on medicine at the Florence Nightingale Museum, located on Lambeth Palace Road in South East London.
The museum offers an abundance of rich learning opportunities, from tours to their popular ‘Meet Miss Nightingale’ series, which gives learners a chance to hear live, factual performances from actors taking on the role of Florence Nightingale herself.
After spending the day at the museum, the students were able to enjoy some live music at the Hard Rock Café, followed by a stroll past Buckingham Palace and some shopping in Oxford Street.
Our Health and Social Care students thoroughly enjoyed the trip and were really able to develop their knowledge and understanding of historical healthcare practices.
To find out more about Health and Social Care at Weston College, click here.
The automotive industry is a vast and exciting field that offers numerous opportunities for individuals who are passionate about cars and have the drive to succeed.
Five lucky students, from Weston College’s Automotive Career Excellence Hub, have been given the opportunity to gain paid work experience with Weston based company, ATS Euromaster.
ATS Euromaster offer a wide range of services, to help customers keep their car in peak, roadworthy condition.
The learners, who are studying Level 2 and Level 3 Motor Vehicle courses, have been impressing throughout staff at Weston College, throughout their studies.
Subject Area Manager for Automotive at Weston College, Chris Priest, said: “At Weston College we specialise in creating careers, not courses, and this will give our learners superb experience.
“Our learners are really excited to apply their knowledge that they have gained in their studies to real-world situations and gain practical experience that will help them in their future careers.”
This week, Weston College have hosted two events focusing on sustainability; a Community Beach Clean on Monday 24th April and a Sustainability Conference on Thursday 26th April.
Both events’ main aim was to educate those in attendance on the importance of sustainability, through interactivity, guest talks and informative resources.
The Beach Clean was open to staff and students, but also to members of the community to work towards a cleaner environment. This event was very kindly funded by Burnham & Weston Energy, meaning all necessary equipment could be provided to help make this event as accessible as possible! The clean was a huge team effort of volunteers from the college and community, to help with the restoration and preservation of our coastlines, and acting as a fun and engaging way to raise awareness about environmental issues.
Alongside the actual beach clean element of this event, there were also several stands set up in the Tropicana where students and the public could learn more. North Somerset Council’s Waste and Recycling team, as well as their Energy team had stands at the Tropicana, on hand and ready to inform and engage in meaningful conversations with the community.
Following the theme throughout the week, the Weston College Sustainability Conference took place at the Winter Gardens Pavilion, with learners from the college and UCW, as well as employers in attendance. Burnham & Weston Energy’s Lynda Wookey provided the keynote speech, focused on Community Energy to contribute towards the development of the college’s sustainability strategy for the future.
Employers who work closely with the college also dotted stalls throughout the ballroom, including North Somerset Council, Uncle Paul’s Chilli Charity and Garden Organic. The stalls, similar to the beach clean, were able to bring interactive games and resources to engage the attendees in learning about environmental issues. Our Travel and Tourism learners had their own stall on the Future of Sustainable Transport in Weston, which acted as fantastic experience in interacting with new people and presenting their own ideas.
Following this, the attendees were treated to an insightful Q&A session with panellists including Lynda Wookey (Burnham & Weston Energy) Kate Eastment (Garden Organic), Joe Tristram (Centre for Sustainable Energy), Alexandra Watson (Michelmores) and Amelia Cruz (Younity), before a student discussion to conclude the event.
Jo Philpott, Vice Principal – Curriculum Delivery & Technical Innovation, commented on the success of the week: “Here at Weston College, we are very committed to our Sustainability and Social Action Framework. This framework, in turn, will help us in building a green, lean and socially responsible culture to create a sustainable and community focused College of the Future.
“Through implementing initiatives such as the Beach Clean and the Conference this week, we are able to engage a huge number of our learners, staff, and the wider community of North Somerset, and play a part in an agile and responsive approach to our community. I am thrilled with the outcome of both events, and look forward to the impact they each have for the future.”
Learners studying courses from the Public Services Career Excellence Hub, have taken part in some exciting adventures recently.
Adventurous training, sport and physical fitness are all at the very core of the various Armed Forces and Emergency Services that our learners aspire to build careers in, so learners get the opportunity to test their skills and build their confidence through several activities.
Some of the activities that learners have recently participated in, have included:
- 28km hike / camp through the Brecon Beacons
- Orienteering at Ashton Court
- Developing personal climbing in the Sports Hall
- Boxing skill sessions
- ‘Stairwell Challenge’ where learners completed as many ascents of the back stairwell, raising money for RAG Week.
The activities have involved learners across different levels and year groups, leading to rapport building, increased physical and mental robustness and a greater awareness of the careers they are aiming for.
If you’d like to find out more about our Public Services courses, click here.
Marketing and Communications
The marketing department is responsible for promoting Weston College to the public, by promoting the Colleges courses, achievements and events.
Our aims are to attract learners to study within the Weston College Group, build and grow the College’s brand and highlight its reputation, and promote the College Group’s success, student progression and outstanding support for our learners.
The marketing department manages the College’s websites and official social media accounts, runs advertising campaigns, creates press releases, and manages many of the College Group’s events, such as Graduation, the Celebration of Success and the Business Awards.
We produce a wide range of publications including our full-time, Higher Education and part-time prospectuses, course leaflets and posters, and other documents such as the College’s annual report, magazines and newsletters, course brochures and the student handbook.
Weston College is committed to providing accurate and timely information for local, regional and national media, and the general public.
The marketing team is available between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 8.30am to 4.30pm on Fridays. You can get in touch with us by emailing marketing@weston.ac.uk.
All of our press releases are uploaded to the news section of our websites. News from the academies we sponsor, including the North Somerset Enterprise and Technology College, can be found on the news section of the Inspirational Futures Trust’s website. News pertaining to our Higher Education Provision can be found on www.ucw.ac.uk.
The marketing department produces most imagery and film in house, and keeps an extensive archive of the photographs it takes. If you would like a copy of an image featuring you or a member of your family, please contact us at photography@weston.ac.uk.
Our photos of graduation and many other events can be found on the College’s Facebook page. High quality images can be found on the College’s Flickr account.
Weston College is able to accommodate many requests to provide locations for film and photography. The College has a range of attractive, modern and adaptable facilities which can be viewed on our youtube channel.
We also are able to provide heritage facilities such as the Victorian Hans Price designed Conference Centre and, from September 2017, the 1927 Winter Gardens Pavilion.
For booking details, contact marketing@weston.ac.uk.
For enquiries about sponsoring key events such as Celebration of Success, Business Breakfast, Business Awards and Graduation, please contact the marketing team by email at marketing@weston.ac.uk.
