News and events

Weston College has been named as the Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Provider of the Year for the third year in a row.

The awards were virtual this year, and were hosted by BBC personality, Ali Vowles. There were winners from across the region, as the hard work of apprentices, employers and training providers were recognised.

Weston College learners picked up prestigious awards too, with Harvey Castree (Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Engineering, Manufacturing, Energy & Electrical) and Danny Gould-Dyer (Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Health, Wellbeing, Care & Education) winning their categories.

The highlight of the evening was the Bristol & Bath Apprentice of the Year award which went to Harvey, for his fantastic work with his employer, GKN Aerospace.

This is further success for the Weston College Apprenticeship Team, with Leadership and Management apprentice, Dan Green, recently winning the Gloucestershire Apprentice of the Year.

The College delivers a range of apprenticeships from Level 2 to degree-level and works with many high-profile employers in the Bristol and Bath area, including the Ministry of Defence and GKN Aerospace and Royal United Hospitals Bath.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said: “I am delighted that we have managed to win this award for the third year in a row, it really does showcase the amazing work that goes on in this College on a daily basis.

“Our team are once again bucking the national trend, creating new opportunities for our learners. Our apprentices are also having huge impacts on their businesses, and it is fantastic to see.

“I’m also delighted for our learners, as we had six apprentices make the finals, with both Harvey and Danny coming out victorious. Our learners show such a fantastic attitude to their studies and I am thrilled to see them performing so well in such a difficult period.”

Weston College is delighted to be invited to join the World Skills UK Innovation Network.

WorldSkills UK is an independent charity and a partnership between employers, education and governments. Their mission is to raise standards in apprenticeships and technical education so more young people get the best start in work and life. Traditionally this is done by offering learners additional training, through national and international competitions, alongside their studies, which also help to improve confidence and future potential.

Being part of this Network is a huge honour for the College and recognises its commitment to ensuring learners advance their vocational and technical skills to the highest level. As part of the Innovation Network the College will have access to:

• Tools and insights to enable it to see how its performance through competition activity compares with other colleges.
• Resources and exchange of good practice to support greater use of competition practice, across its curriculum.
• Insights into good practice from TVET activities in other WorldSkills nations to support the introduction of new techniques in curriculum practice.
• Exchanges and sessions with organisations/colleges, both nationally and internationally and Input from WorldSkills UK employers who are training to top of their game to support practices that raise standards and help meet employer needs.

Weston College has a long and successful track record in creating UK medal winners over the years at both local, national and international levels. For example, in 2019 (when the competitions last took place):

Zoe Clark, aged 17 (at the time of competing), previously from Gordano School, competed in Beauty Therapy where she was a national finalist.

Thomas Griffin, aged 19 (at the time of competing) previously from Broadoak Academy, competed in Web Design he’s was a national finalist and got through to the UK Squad selection process.

Joel Keen, aged 19 (at the time of competing), previously home schooled, competed in CNC Milling, he’s was a national finalist and got through to the UK Squad selection process.

Chloe Williams, aged 19 (at the time of competing), previously from King Alfred's school, competed in Beauty Therapy and successfully secured a place in the UK Squad, to compete in China later this year.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive, Weston College, commented: “We are delighted to be part of this Network and despite the pandemic, we are determined that students feel inspired to grow their skills to build excellence for themselves and the UK.

“We have so many talented students at the College and our goal is to ensure that their talent is nurtured and progressed so that they get the recognition they deserve.

“Our lockdown strategy is very much to continue to showcase excellence and champion the WorldSkills ethos in order to build back better. Being part of this Network will ensure we can access the very best resources for our students to sustain their levels of ambition and aspiration.”

Find out more:

• WorldSkills - Our successes
• Join us – Courses for 16-19 years olds

A skill-focused Esports BTEC qualification is now offered for the first time to students from institutions across the UK and around the world… and it’s here at Weston College from September 2021!

According to Newzoo, the esports industry is projected to generate revenues of $1 billion in 2020 with the total esports audience set to rise to 495m.

Now, the British Esports Association has partnered with global learning company Pearson to create the world's first qualification of its kind to give students a head start on their esports career.

Andy Payne, British Esports Association chair, said: "Esports is a growing, exciting industry that many young people are looking at with interest and it's important they have the opportunity to unlock their potential and be the leaders of tomorrow. The industry is still finding its feet, but with big names like Pearson coming on board to bring learning and curriculum design expertise, this bodes well for the future workforce.

"These qualifications are a unique development that can elevate esports education in the UK and around the world.

"We have taken our time to ensure the qualifications are as comprehensive and high quality as possible, in order to provide students with a valuable qualification that will give them the knowledge and skills they need to pursue a career in esports, video games, tech or other related sectors."

The new Level 3 esports qualification consists of 20 units, including enterprise and entrepreneurship, strategy and analysis, events management, live-streamed broadcasting, video production, shoutcasting, coaching, health and wellbeing, the law and legislation, computer networking and more. The qualifications will enable some learners to enter careers in the esports industry and for others it will offer an opportunity to upskill and progress their careers in event management and business.

The current global pandemic has propelled esports into the mainstream, with Premier League stars participating in competitive FIFA tournaments and F1 drivers regularly streaming iRacing on Twitch.

Streamers and pro players have become some of the highest earners in the entertainment industry and have amassed huge following amongst the Gen Z audience, resulting in the birth of esports degrees being offered at universities in the UK.

Mark 'Garvey' Candella, Director of Student and Education Programs at Twitch, added: "The BTEC in esports really addresses the core competencies needed for students to become empowered and confident young professionals in the gaming and esports industries. To meet students where they are and teach highly transferable and valuable emerging, new and digital media skills in an engaging way is the future."

Weston College is excited to be able to offer both the Level 2 and Level 3 in esports from September 2021 for school leavers eager to start their training for their future career. Find out more about the programmes on offer and how to apply here.