News and events

Weston College was proud to attend the Somerset AI Summit as a key partner of the Somerset Chamber of Commerce, joining businesses, researchers and innovators from across the region to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping the future of work.

The summit, organised by the Somerset Chamber of Commerce in partnership with the University of Exeter, took place at the Firepool Centre for Digital Innovation in Taunton. The event focused on practical applications of AI for local businesses, with workshops and discussions exploring generative AI, automation and strategies for adopting AI in the workplace.

Representing Weston College at the event were Joe Abdulgani, Assistant Principal – Knightstone Campus, and Nichola Ripley, Apprenticeship and Skills Account Manager, who engaged with employers and partners from across the county. Joe was invited to participate in a panel debate, sharing insights on the importance of skills, education and workforce development as businesses begin to adopt AI technologies.

However, the conversation also raised an important question: if automation removes some entry-level tasks, what does this mean for young people entering the job market?

At Weston College, we see this as a key moment for collaboration between education and employers. By working together on workforce planning and future skills, we can ensure businesses are ready for the inevitable changes AI will bring, while also creating meaningful pathways for the next generation.

The summit highlighted the growing importance of collaboration between education providers and industry to ensure the workforce is equipped with the skills needed for an AI-enabled future.

Joe Abdulgani: "Being part of the Somerset AI Summit panel was incredibly valuable. The discussions reinforced how essential it is for colleges to teach students about AI usage in a safe, ethical and responsible way. We also explored employers’ expectations around data safety and corporate AI governance, and how education and industry must work together to prepare learners for the realities of an AI‑enabled workplace.

“It was also fantastic to hear from the guest speakers about what AI means for the future of jobs. Their insights strongly reinforced the importance of human skills, creativity and professional judgement - areas where AI can support but not replace the uniquely human qualities that drive innovation. Events like this matter because being in the room with employers, policymakers and innovators ensures our curriculum remains relevant, future‑focused and aligned to the needs of the region.”

Reflecting on the event, Nichola said: "It was fascinating to hear how local employers across Somerset are already benefiting from the power of AI. A strong theme throughout the event was that while AI can improve efficiency and speed up processes, jobs are not disappearing. Instead, the most critical factor remains the human in the loop - the insight, creativity and decision making that AI simply can’t replace.

‘We’re here to support employers in navigating this shift, from identifying skills gaps to developing talent through apprenticeships and workforce development programmes, many of which can be funded through the Apprenticeship Levy.”

If you would like to discuss how Weston College can support your organisation with apprenticeship and skills solutions, please contact employers@weston.ac.uk

Last month, Weston College proudly hosted the Association of Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) South West Regional Competition at the Winter Gardens, welcoming talented students from across the South West and Wales. The event provided an exciting platform for aspiring professionals to showcase their skills, creativity, and technical expertise in a competitive, real-world environment.

Our FE Hair and Barbering, Beauty Therapy, and Make-up and Prosthetics students, alongside UCW HE Makeup, Wigs and Special Effects BA (Hons) students, took part in a wide range of categories. From body painting, theatrical ageing, and face painting to cut and blow-dries, facials, and hairstyling, the competition challenged students to apply their practical knowledge under time pressure while maintaining high professional standards.

We are delighted that 14 of our students have progressed to the AHT National Finals in Blackpool on 11th May, where they will compete against top students from across the UK.

Taking part in competitions like this plays a vital role in our students’ development. Working in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment helps to build confidence, resilience, and adaptability which are essential qualities for careers in the hair and beauty industry, where working with clients often requires quick thinking and professionalism.

The experience also enables students to refine their technical skills and push their creative boundaries. Constructive feedback from industry professionals gives them valuable insight into current standards and expectations, helping them to elevate their work and continue improving.

In addition, the competition provides invaluable networking opportunities. Students are able to connect with peers who share similar ambitions, as well as industry experts, allowing them to exchange ideas, gain inspiration, and build relationships that may support their future careers.

Competing in a respected event such as the AHT also strengthens students’ professional portfolios. It demonstrates their ability to perform at a high level in a competitive setting and provides credible, industry-recognised experience that will stand out to future employers.

It was also great to see former Beauty Therapy student and training WorldSkills judge, Maddie Hulbert, on the judging panel. Her fantastic progression and achievements act as a role model for our students, showing them what can be achieved with hard work and perseverance.

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College, added, “Seeing our students apply their classroom knowledge to a professional competition and do so calmly and maturely was fantastic to see. It reflects how far they have come since they began their course, and I am so proud to see what they have achieved. I would also like to say a huge thank you to the FE and HE Hair, Beauty, and Media Makeup team who have worked tirelessly with our students. These fantastic results are also a reflection of the hard work you’ve committed to our students.”

A huge thank you to VTCT and the judges for their time, expertise and invaluable feedback that will inevitably elevate the learner experience.

We wish all of our finalists the best of luck as they prepare to represent Weston College on a national stage in Blackpool.

This competition forms part of the Hair and Beauty 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 Hair, Makeup and Special Effects! 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.

This week, our Animal Management students took part in mock interviews with employers to provide them with valuable insight into the application process for a full-time job following college.

With employers such as the RSPCA, a local Dog Groomer, a Zookeeper, a Conservation Ranger, and a Vet Assistant, this broad range of employers prepared our students for a variety of pathways, giving them the chance to ask questions, experience a professional interview setting, and gain an understanding of the criteria and qualities employers typically look for when recruiting.

During the interviews, students came prepared with their CVs, researched into the background of the organisation, and sat down with an employer to simulate a real-life interview. This not only prepared them for future careers, but it also gave them a fantastic networking opportunity, connecting with industry professionals and learning invaluable insight from people in the industry.

Mock interviews are a fantastic way for students to build their confidence and gain an understanding of the potential questions employers could ask when applying to full-time roles in the future. It reduces anxiety, boosts confidence, and refines their communication skills through personalised and constructive feedback from professionals within a safe environment.

The feedback from the employers was fantastic, with the RSPCA Animal Care Supervisor, Verity Carley, sharing how impressed she was with all the students, saying, “The interviews with the students went really well! I could tell that the students had been preparing themselves, with many of them having researched the RSPCA by giving me quotes and statistics. I could feel the passion and enthusiasm that they had for the RSPCA which was amazing. Mock interviews like this are very valuable for the students as it is very scary going into an interview having never done one, so the fact they have this practice and our feedback for them to know what they did well and what to improve on is fantastic.”

Chris D’Agorne, former Conservation Ranger and current Animal Science lecturer at Weston College, said, “When I left my A Levels, I didn’t have a clue about going into the working world, and even when I left university, I still wasn’t trained in interview techniques or knew what was expected of me during that process, so for these students to be receiving these skills and practical experience of sitting down in a real interview scenario so early in their career is invaluable for their professional development.”

Also, receiving comments regarding the impressive hands-on experience our students have already received in the industry has increased their confidence and given them a deeper understanding of how their course has prepared them for a range of pathways in the Animal Management industry.

A huge thank you to the employers and industry professionals for taking the time to interview our students, share your insight, and provide detailed feedback for each learner so they can apply this to future interviews.

This mock interview scenario 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.