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LATEST NEWS AND UPDATES

Weston College has announced the launch of a new Higher Level Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering.

The new programme is a Level 4 apprenticeship which incorporates an NQV Diploma in Construction Site Supervision and an HNC in Construction in the Built Environment.

The apprenticeship will be delivered in the workplace, with apprentices attending the College’s brand new Future Technology Centre one day per week to complete practical and written assignments.

The Future Technology Centre was built in response to employer needs to fill identified skills shortages within the construction and engineering industry, and to meet the skills demand that the Hinkley Point C project will bring.

The new programme is being launched with Wessex Water, who have confirmed an intake of four apprentices due to start in January 2017.

Becca Thurston, Apprenticeship Coordinator from Wessex Water, said: “Uniting employers with education is key to ensuring the economic success of not only our business, but also our region.

“It is well known that there are significant skills gaps across many industries and the responsibility to solve that lies in a partnership approach.

“Wessex Water has identified that a crucial method of addressing our skills requirement is to find and support high quality training providers, such as Weston College, to design, develop and deliver courses, programmes and apprenticeships to fulfil our business needs.

“We’re excited to see what our joint future holds, how we can work together to ensure our local and wider communities understand the possibilities and opportunities within our industry, and how we can support each other to ensure Weston College continues to provide outstanding training which is relevant, business led and, most of all, effective.”

Liz Redwood, Executive Director of Apprenticeships and Business Development at Weston College, said: “Wessex Water is a key partner of the College.

“We are already supporting them in recruiting and training laboratory technician apprentices and we are delighted to be expanding our relationship.

“Weston College recognises the importance of engineering and construction skills in the South West and we will continue to invest heavily to develop our offer to businesses.”

If your business is looking to upskill or reskill your current workforce and would like to find out more about this programme, please contact the Apprenticeship Team on 01934 411 594 or email apprenticeships@weston.ac.uk

The way GCSEs are graded is changing. The alphabetised G to A* system is being phased out and replaced with a numerical grade that ranges from one to nine, with nine being higher than an A*.

This system means that there is greater differentiation between the highest achieving students. You can find the full table below…

New number grading system Old alphabetised grading structure
9  
  A*
8  
7 A
6  
  B
5  
  C
4  
  D
3  
  E
2  
  F
1  
  G
U U

Weston College business student Bella Febry went out of her way to apply to complete her internship with international oil and gas company ‘OiLSERV’ in Dubai. 

James Foster, Executive Vice President at OiLSERV, said: “We tried our best to challenge her, and give her experience of what it is like working in a fast paced service industry – where we deliver operations 24/7, 365 days a year across multiple countries and time zones. The intent of the program was to help her understand how all elements of the organisation have to work together to be successful. 

“She worked exceptionally hard, learnt quickly, and integrated into all of the culturally diverse teams she worked with. Our teams enjoyed working with her, it was a pleasure for us to have her here.” 

At the end of her placement Bella was asked to do a presentation on her time with OiLSERV to the various teams she had worked with. Following this she received a glowing letter of recommendation from the company, which they say she ‘fully deserved’.

Bella is in the first year of her BTEC Extended Diploma in Business Studies here at Weston College. By completing this invaluable work experience she has gained skills in HR, finance, IT, supply chain, law, marketing, sales, and project delivery. 

When reflecting on her time with OiLSERV, Bella told us: “It was an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity. I was really pleased when I read the feedback. It’ll definitely help my CV and future career prospects. I think it will make me stand out.” 

A student at Weston College’s Sixth Form has won a district award at a Young Enterprise event, and will progress to the regional finals.

Ilja Voroncovs, who studies A Levels in Psychology and Sociology and an Extended Certificate in Applied Science, recently took part in the Young Enterprise programme and was nominated by his tutor for a Journey Award. 

The Journey Award is for students who took part in the Young Enterprise Company Programme, and have progressed particularly well not necessarily just within the project itself. 

Elinor John, Lecturer in Photography and Employability Co-ordinator at the Sixth Form, said: “I nominated Ilja due to his increased confidence over the programme. Ilja was extremely shy at the beginning of the course, but flourished as a result of the opportunity with the Young Enterprise. 

“Ilja’s confidence went from strength to strength, and he was really deserving of that recognition. The most rewarding aspect was that not only did his team, business advisors and I see the growth in Ilja, but he recognised it in himself.”

The Young Enterprise programme challenges teams of students to start a business from scratch, selling a product of their own design and making a profit. It requires them to work as a team, alongside real business advisors who help to guide and mentor them.

Wayne Richards, Head of the Sixth Form, said: “The Young Enterprise programme gives students the opportunity to get a feel for real-life business, and start to explore the different aspects of creating and running their own business. 

“We’re so proud of students like Ilja who really challenge themselves, and end up progressing not just within the College but personally, too, as a result of the project. We encourage all our students to grow and develop in any way they can and we’re really proud of what Ilja has achieved.”
 

OLS and School of Food join forces

Weston College has held a series of MasterChef-style competitions in prisons across the south west.

Prison learners were taught a range of catering skills before putting them to the test and cooking a meal of their own. Prison governors then chose the winner after sampling the dishes.

The day-long courses were designed to inspire learners and encourage them to consider a career in catering when they are released.

The initiative was hailed a huge success by Weston College Training and Development Manager Brian Howe, who taught the courses with colleague Pedro Aparicio.

Brian said: “First, all the learners took part in a demonstration, which involved showing them how to cut poultry.

“They then produced a range of fantastic dishes using the skills they had learned – including Oriental, Asian and Caribbean-style chicken. Some even cooked their own naan and pitta bread from scratch. The standard was amazing.

“It was so rewarding to see the passion and skill on display – they took in absolutely everything they were shown.

“The idea was to show what a career in catering and hospitality could offer. I lost count how many said that’s what they wanted to do when they are released.”

The classes were organised by the Weston College - the school of food apprenticeship team chef apprenticeship team known as The School of Food – a new chef apprenticeship jointly delivered by Weston College. The School of Food is a unique training course, run by chefs for chefs and designed to tackle the local skills shortage. A new and exciting apprenticeship programme that launched in April 2018, training aspiring chefs. Among the School of Food’s latest intake is a learner recently released from HMP Leyhill, who was inspired by the prison MasterChef class.

Weston College provides education services to ten prisons across the South West of England – Leyhill, Eastwood Park, Bristol, Erlestoke, Guys Marsh, The Verne, Portland, Exeter, Channings Wood and Dartmoor.

The Weston College Offender Learning team delivers a wide range of training provision in South West prisons, including catering, English, maths, customer service, art, plastering, carpentry, plastering and bricklaying. Curriculums are designed to engage offenders in learning and help them gain the skills and qualifications required to find sustainable employment when they are released. Weston College is proud to work in partnership with and supporting the Ministry of Justice and Her Majesty’s Prison and Probation Service to rehabilitate offenders and reduce re-offending.

Searching for the perfect career has never been easier thanks to Career Coach – our innovative new tool.

Career Coach is designed to help you find the career that suits you by providing the most current local data on wages, employment, job postings and associated education and training.

This insightful programme allows you to search for job titles and careers related to you course. It provides invaluable statistics and eye-opening facts, such as the highest-paying and fastest-growing jobs in your region.

“But what if I’m unsure on what job I want in the future?”

Whether you’re choosing a course or looking for employment, it’s important to ask yourself: What am I good at? What do I enjoy? Career Coach can help you discover new careers tailored to your interests and skills based on a six-question quiz.

Follow the link below and start looking for your dream career now.

https://weston.emsicc.com/

A film celebrating Weston-super-Mare’s entrepreneurial women was screened at Weston College’s Conference Centre today (April 25).

The project, sponsored by the College, is the brainchild of producer and interviewer Becky Walsh, a former Weston College student, and Justyna Steinkeller, an associate producer and graphic designer.

Becky studied a BTEC in Performing Arts at Weston College and progressed to The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama for her stage management training. She then spent 15 years in the West End working as a stage manager on shows such as West Side Story and Blood Brothers. She was also part of the lighting team for UK’s ‘Handover of Hong Kong’ to China in 1997.

She then spent time living across the globe, having gained a reputation both in the personal development field as a self-help author and as a TV and radio presenter, before returning to Weston to bring her knowledge back into the town.

Becky said: “The women interviewed for these documentaries come from various backgrounds but have one thing in common – they have brought inspiration and entrepreneurship to Weston in terms of creativity and care.

“Their stories are heart-warming and inspiring, and create a new chapter in Weston’s history.”

The film tells the stories of:

  • Gill Bute, who fought off gangsters to build a company
  • Amelia Eikli, who turned her life around after just one year living in the town
  • Valerie Donegan, who has spent her life helping the people who have made the streets their home
  • Sara Pacey, who organises entertainment events across the area
  • Linda Chan, who was a high flyer in the corporate world until she started to lose her sight.

Linda’s luck changed after moving to Weston, when she joined an adult part-time art course at Weston College. She then progressed onto a Level 2 Art and Design Diploma at Weston College and, last year, graduated from UCW with a Contemporary Art and Professional Studies, FdA.

Linda is now an exhibiting artist and her life has been transformed.

Linda said: “I was overwhelmed by how inspirational the first class was and I have never looked back.”

Dr Paul Phillips, CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this event. Weston College is passionate about supporting the people of Weston and helping our community to grow.”

If you would like to join a full-time course, like Becky, visit our website.

If you are interested in a part-time adult course, like Linda, visit us at the Festival of Learning on Saturday 15th June 11am-3pm at the Winter Gardens and Italian Gardens.

There will be a live Q&A with the team at https://youtu.be/ZOX1CZi41zI 

weston college students

Prison learners were given the opportunity to showcase their talents at Weston College’s annual Creative Arts Summer Festival.

The festival, which enabled students from across the College creative arts faculty to exhibit their work, took place from June 11th to 20th and attracted rave reviews.

Work was produced by students studying media production, graphic design, photography, contemporary arts, as well as art and design.

It was also a unique opportunity for the College learners in prisons across the South West and South East, who provided poetry, oil paintings, pencil drawings ceramics and sculptures. Weston College delivers education in 19 prisons across the country.

Hundreds of people from across the region attend the festival each year, including those working and studying in the creative arts industries. Referring to the prison learners’ work, one visitor said: “There is a real depth and substance in the work. As a graphic designer and artist it is apparent to me that art has an ability to expose the truth in everybody without judgement.

“They are clearly very talented individuals who have become lost in society through mistakes made through peer pressure and a lack of positive role models.”

Weston College’s Prison Education provision will continue to showcase the many talents of learners within the prison network. The aim is to support the successful rehabilitation, resettlement and employment of offenders when they are released.

Click here to read more about the Prison Education provision recently winning a £17m prison learning contract…

handshake

Weston College and one of its lecturers have been shortlisted for honours in a military veterans’ awards ceremony.

handshake

Dave Beresford, who is a Lecturer in Public Services at the College, is in the running for the Lifetime Achievement Award at the English Veterans Awards, while the College has been shortlisted in the Employer of the Year category.

The awards recognise the successful veterans who have made the, often difficult, transition from the military to civilian life in England. They reward those who have gone above and beyond and excelled in their relevant fields and act as role models for future service leavers.

It is also an opportunity to salute organisations which have shown commitment to attracting, employing and retaining ex-forces personnel and reservists.

The awards ceremony takes place at Mercure Holland House, Bristol in September 2019.

During his 14 years in the Royal Marines, Dave was awarded the Military Cross after rescuing two colleagues who were weighed down with heavy equipment and under fire from enemy forces. He also served in Northern Ireland and Sierra Leone.

Despite struggling with some common problems associated with transitioning into civilian life, Dave has gone on to forge a highly successful career in education.

After starting as a graduate primary school teacher, he has progressed to lecture in further and higher education at Weston College. As well as being an outstanding lecturer, Dave always goes above and beyond for students – helping them achieve success and realise their potential.

Weston College has a strong history of supporting local military units and the Armed Forces community. It sits upon the North Somerset Armed Forces steering group and has launched several ‘forces-friendly’ initiatives. These include the ‘Train to Build’ scheme, which facilitates the training of ex-forces personnel to build their own accommodation, and ‘Taking Teaching Further’, which encourages veterans and military personnel to consider a career in education.

Dr Paul Phillips, CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “This is a magnificent achievement for Dave – and deserved recognition.

“After a distinguished career in the armed forces, he showed huge determination and aptitude to transition into a wonderful lecturer and inspirational role model for his learners.

“It’s also a great honour for the College to be recognised for the support it provides for the armed forces and military veterans. As well as being a Silver award holder with the Armed Forces Covenant, we employ veterans and reservists across a whole range of areas including vocational and engineering departments, sports and public services faculties plus throughout the College’s prison education contracts.”

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.

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One Message, Different Voices

Take a look at this powerful film made by the staff of Weston College to show how important it is for everyone from different backgrounds to be included. The film shares heartfelt stories and interviews with a diverse group of staff, showing how accepting different identities and backgrounds can make a big difference. Its purpose is to encourage viewers to think about their own biases and work towards making our community more welcoming to all. We invite everyone, regardless of their background, to join us and be a part of our journey toward a more inclusive future.

Halo workplace logo

Our workplace champions the right of staff to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black employees’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance. We celebrate Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps. In this workplace, we recognise and celebrate our colleagues’ identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on an employee's ability to succeed.