News and events

It is vital that businesses keep their workers up to date with the latest industry trends and skills, and this is key for businesses in the automotive industry, where the likes of electric vehicles are constantly evolving and expanding.

To help automotive businesses with upskilling their staff, we offer Skills Bootcamps for Electric Vehicles, funded by the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. This Skills Bootcamp runs over 10 weeks (day release, 1 day per week for 10 weeks) and equips staff with the technical knowledge and practical skills to confidently and safely maintain and repair electric and hybrid vehicles.

On completion, learners will be able to work safely on electric/hybrid vehicles and carry out essential tasks including high-voltage system repairs, data recording, and recommending maintenance solutions. The Skills Bootcamp includes a blend of classroom-based and hands-on workshop learning, preparing participants to meet the demands of the fast-evolving electric vehicle (EV) market.

Our Skills Bootcamps have paved the way for numerous inspiring success stories, and one standout example is Jack Goodall and A&D 4x4 Ltd.

A&D 4X4 is an automotive company focused primarily in the Land Rover market, which increasingly involves hybrid and electric vehicle technologies. As the automotive industry shifts towards greener alternatives, it has become crucial for their technicians to possess skills in maintaining and repairing electric and hybrid vehicles.

Jack Goodall participated in the Electric Vehicle Skills Bootcamp, where he gained valuable, up-to-date knowledge and hands-on experience with these emerging technologies. Since completing the program, Jack has integrated the skills and insights he acquired into his daily work at A&D 4X4, greatly enhancing the company’s capability to service modern electric and hybrid Land Rovers with confidence and expertise.

During his time on the course, Jack covered a wide range of topics including:

• Health and Safety Protocols
• Isolation & Lockout Procedures
• Electrical Engineering Fundamentals for Electric Vehicles
• Electrical Theory
• High Voltage Battery Charging System Theory
• HV System Repair & Rework
• Fault Diagnosis
• High Voltage Battery Removal
• Module Disassembly
• Testing and Replacement

Our next Electric Vehicle Skills Bootcamp will begin on 16th October 2025. To find out more, click here.

How can education empower communities? That’s the question Weston College’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager, Jason Selormey, will be exploring as a panellist at Weston’s Annual Black History Month Forum 2025.

This year’s theme, “Standing Firm in Power and Pride,” will frame an inspiring evening of discussion, performance, and celebration at Front Room, Weston-super-Mare.

The night begins with a live panel conversation hosted by Louise Hill-Davis, where Jason and fellow panellists from University Hospitals Bristol and Weston (UHBW) and the Arts sector will reflect on leadership, identity, and inclusion. Jason will share his perspective on the power of education, highlighting why diverse voices and lived experiences must be represented in teaching and learning. The audience will also have the chance to contribute to the conversation.

After a short networking break, the evening continues with live poetry and storytelling hosted by Vanessa Otoo, including a performance by Jaidah, alongside West African-inspired food. The celebration concludes with an informal after party at Afri Lounge, with music from DJ Tamara J.

This vibrant, community-led event promises to be a true celebration of Black history, pride, and power in Weston. Staff, students, and the wider community are welcome to join this event to connect, reflect, and celebrate together.

Book your place, by clicking here

Recently, one of our former Animal Management students, Maddie, came in to deliver a guest lecture to our current Animal Management students, outlining the journey she took into her role and discussing the importance of experience and passion to become a professional in the industry. 

Maddie completed the Level 3 Animal Management course in 2020 but has also had many years of experience, helping in a veterinary practice at just 14 years old, before managing livestock on a farm, working in rescue kennels and then working in a veterinary hospital. She then launched her own business, Maddie’s Pawfect Pooches, in 2023 where she provides personalised dog training for clients.

Throughout her Animal Management course, Maddie completed a range of work experience including White House Kennels where she helped care for dogs in boarding and Court Farm where she worked in the farming industry. She said, “The benefits to completing a placement at college are endless. You gain hands-on experience with animals, but you also learn how to talk to customers and clients. Depending on what you want to go into, it can also be a great way to make connections with employers, learn more about that specific industry, and how to secure a permanent job in that role.”

“I absolutely loved the Animal Management course. I felt it had a great element of practical as well as theory, and being able to work with the animals at Puxton Park was a great way to get the necessary hands-on experience.”

For many years, Maddie knew she wanted to start her own dog training business, therefore, after her Weston College course, Maddie completed a Level 4 Dog Training, Behaviour, and Welfare course to create a well-established business across North Somerset.

Within her business, Maddie supports dogs and their owners through tailored training sessions and solutions, specialising in rescue dogs and reactivity cases. Within these sessions, Maddie helps dogs build their confidence, overcome behavioural challenges, and help dogs feel safe and understood as well as help their owners better understand the reasons behind their behaviour and how to manage it in the future. She also creates puppy training programmes for owners to navigate and cope with the behavioural and developmental stages of a new puppy. 

During her 1-to-1 training sessions, Maddie completes a behavioural assessment through observations and interactions, she then creates a training plan and educates the owner on what she has discovered regarding the dog's behaviour. To overcome the issues, Maddie completes training with the dog, this can take anywhere between a couple of sessions to a couple of months depending on the severity of the case. She then has monthly catch-up sessions with the owner and their dog to monitor any changes and check progress.

This thorough process is the foundation of her successful business and has been extremely effective and received great feedback from clients, making the waitlist for her services around 6-7 months.

“My favourite thing about owning my own business is getting to know all the dogs and clients personally. I love seeing the progression that the dogs make, from when I first meet them, they’re nervous and reactive, to then seeing them confident and emotionally balanced, it’s just so rewarding.”

Maddie is an excellent reflection of what students can achieve when they set their mind to something and put in the work. She knew what she wanted and worked hard to get it, gaining a range of different work experiences to secure a wide knowledge base of working with different animals and specialties. 

A big thank you to Maddie for sharing her experiences and acting as an excellent role model for the students.

This Careers Event forms part of the Animal Management 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.

Progress to the next level in Animal Management! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. 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.