News and events

Learners across all Weston College campuses recently took part in a series of impactful workshops delivered by St Giles Trust in partnership with the local authority Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) as part of the Home Office delivery plan. Focusing on the realities of county lines, knife crime, and youth exploitation, the sessions aimed to equip students with the knowledge, confidence, and practical strategies needed to make safe and informed decisions about their futures.

Weston College work closely with the VRP, who delivered this session both to educate learners and to gather their feedback on what is needed to improve violence reduction in North Somerset. St Giles Trust led the initial talk, which was followed by a workshop by VRP who gave helpful tips and guidance including the ability for people to report concerns about violence and knife crime anonymously on the “Fearless” website.

Drawing from real-life experiences, St Giles opened the talk with an honest dialogue about the dangers young people may face, and the tactics used by organised crime groups. By sharing personal stories and frontline insights, they helped learners understand how individuals can be groomed into criminal activity, often without recognising the warning signs until it is too late.

A key part of the workshop broke down the four stages of the grooming process:

1. Targeting - identifying vulnerable young people or those perceived as easy to influence.
2. Friendship Forming - building trust through attention, gifts, or offers of support.
3. Loving Relationship - creating a sense of loyalty, obligation, or emotional dependence.
4. Abusive Relationship - introducing threats, coercion, and control to force involvement in illegal activity.

Through this structure, learners gained a clear understanding of how gangs manipulate and exploit young people, often blurring the lines between friendship, favour, and criminal expectation.

The sessions also demystified what county lines means, highlighting how drugs are transported and sold across regions, the hierarchy of involvement, and the perspective of those involved in dealing. Emphasis was placed on the harsh realities and long-term consequences of participation, countering the myth that county lines activity offers quick or easy money. St Giles Trust stressed the concept of “short-term gain, long-term pain”, showing how short-lived rewards are far outweighed by the physical, legal, and emotional risks.

Learners were guided through practical strategies for conflict resolution, helping them recognise safer ways to navigate difficult situations without resorting to violence or carrying a weapon. The St Giles team reinforced that there are always alternatives to retaliation, and that seeking support from college staff, trusted adults, or specialist services can be a proactive step towards staying safe.

Each session concluded with practical advice and guidance, empowering students to identify exploitation, protect themselves and their peers, and access help if they are worried about themselves or someone else.

The workshops were well received across the college, contributing to Weston College’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding, awareness, and student wellbeing.

As employers, we’re always thinking about how to future-proof our businesses, from developing existing teams to nurturing the next generation of talent.

Creating a strong talent pipeline can feel overwhelming, with so many pathways available: apprenticeships, internships, T Levels, work placements, and more. But one of the most powerful and accessible starting points is work experience.

Is Work Experience the Same as an Industry Placement?

Not quite. While both work experience and industry placements are valuable tools that benefit learners and employers alike, they serve slightly different purposes.

Work experience provides learners with a short-term opportunity to explore a career area, gain insight into the world of work, and develop essential employability and soft skills, such as: communication, teamwork, and confidence. It helps young people make informed choices about their future, while giving employers a chance to inspire and engage the next generation.

Industry placements, on the other hand, are typically longer-term and form an integral part of a qualification, such as a T Level. They allow learners to apply their classroom learning in a real-world environment, while employers gain support from students who are developing skills directly aligned with their industry. In many cases, these placements act as a bridge between education and employment, helping businesses shape and grow future-ready talent.

Why Work Experience Matters

Work experience gives employers the chance to meet motivated young people who might not yet have the perfect skillset, but who demonstrate the curiosity, drive, and mindset to grow within your organisation.

At Weston College, we see time and again how successful work experience placements evolve into apprenticeships or permanent roles. This not only strengthens retention but also builds a culture of loyalty and development within the business.

The Real Benefits for Employers

Work experience is far more than a goodwill gesture – it’s a strategic opportunity that delivers tangible benefits, including:

• A recruitment pipeline: Access a pool of potential talent who already understand your organisation.
• Staff development: Enable existing employees to develop leadership, mentoring, and communication skills.
• Fresh perspectives: Gain new ideas and insights from young people who bring creativity and curiosity.
• Project support: Benefit from additional help on short-term tasks or initiatives.
• Community impact: Contribute to your corporate social responsibility goals by supporting local young people.

These benefits sound compelling on paper – but the real impact is best seen in action.

At the Weston College Business Awards, we heard first-hand from learners and employers who have transformed each other’s futures through work experience.

From Work Experience to Industry Innovation

It can be easy to look at the impact in the moment, but it also important to look at the longer term picture, and how work experience can be beneficial in unearthing new talent.

One shining example is Jack Lewis, who completed his work experience with Singer Instruments. Jack made such an impression that he was offered the company’s first-ever degree apprenticeship upon completing his studies.

Since then, he’s introduced cutting-edge 3D printing technologies that reshaped the company’s manufacturing processes – reducing costs, improving safety, and minimising environmental impact. Jack’s innovations, including a redesign of microscope components that cut costs from £24 to just 17 pence, demonstrate the powerful long-term impact of giving young people their first opportunity.

Jack was named Somerset Apprentice of the Year and is now shortlisted for the National Apprentice of the Year Award at the Association of Colleges Awards – a testament to what’s possible when employers invest early in emerging talent.

Different Routes to Get Involved

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to work experience. Weston College offers a range of flexible routes to help you find the right fit for your organisation:

The King’s Trust Programmes – Supporting young people not currently in education, employment, or training to gain vital workplace experience.

T Levels – Two-year courses equivalent to three A Levels, combining classroom learning with an industry placement of at least 45 days (315 hours).

Work Experience Placements – Short-term placements (typically one week) across all curriculum areas, allowing learners to put their skills into practice.

Supported Internships – Designed for young adults with SEND, supported by highly qualified professionals to create inclusive workplace experiences that benefit both learners and employers.

Partner with Us to Shape the Future Workforce

We know that understanding the different pathways can feel daunting but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our team at Weston College is here to help you find the route that best aligns with your business needs, culture, and long-term goals.

Together, we can create meaningful opportunities that empower young people, strengthen our local economy, and ensure your business is ready for the future.

Contact us, to find out how we can support you and your business. 

This month, we’re proud to feature Luke Morgan, a Weston College alumnus who has carved out a career in the world of professional football. Luke is now a First Team Football Analyst at Bristol City Football Club, and his journey from classroom to pitch-side is a true inspiration for aspiring sports professionals. 

Who are you and what is your current job role? 

My name is Luke Morgan, and I’m currently the First Team Football Analyst at Bristol City Football Club. My role involves watching, filming, and analysing the technical and tactical aspects of the team’s performance. I focus on analysing upcoming opposition teams to help develop game plans and tactics, as well as reviewing our own training sessions and matches. On match days, I’m in the stadium providing clips and information to coaches and players in real time, helping us to review and improve performance. 

Can you share a bit about your journey from Weston College to where you are today? 

After finishing my studies at Weston College, where I completed the Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science, I achieved the grades I needed to progress to the University of Bath to study for a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science. It was a four-year course, including a placement year that gave me my first real taste of working in professional sport. 

During that placement year, I began working with a company in Durham that provided analysis support for a range of sports, including Durham County Cricket, Scotland Badminton, and England Rugby. That experience sparked my interest in performance analysis. After completing my final year at Bath, I went on to study for an MSc in Sports Performance Analysis at the University of Gloucestershire. 

As part of that postgraduate course, I worked full-time with Bristol City Football Club’s Women’s First Team. After completing my studies, I was fortunate to secure a full-time position with the club, initially working with the Men’s U21 and academy teams. Over time, I progressed into my current role with the Men’s First Team, where I was part of the backroom staff during the club’s first playoff finish in 17 years. 

Weston College played an integral part in that journey. It was the springboard that gave me both academic grounding and personal confidence to move into higher education and, eventually, professional sport. 

Many young people feel pressured to have their entire career mapped out early on. How did your own career path evolve over time? 

Growing up, I was completely obsessed with sports. If I wasn’t playing, I would be watching it! I knew I wanted to work in sport, but I didn’t have a specific career in mind. What mattered most was following something I enjoyed. Going to Weston College was the first step in turning that passion into a possible career. The course helped me understand the range of opportunities within sport and gave me the platform to progress to university. 

At university, I discovered new areas within sport, especially through practical experience. That’s where I realised the importance of gaining real-world placements and internships. It wasn’t until I began my MSc at 23 that I really started to specialise in analysis. My career path wasn’t mapped out from the beginning, but being open to learning, developing, and exploring different options helped me find the right direction. 

Are there any pivotal moments or unexpected opportunities that shaped your career? 

There were definitely several key moments. At Weston College, the support and encouragement I received were crucial in helping me achieve the grades to attend the University of Bath. I was also given valuable career advice, including not specialising too early and keeping an open mind. 

Placements and internships played a huge role, too. Throwing myself into those experiences allowed me to develop the real-world skills needed for a career in professional sports. I also learned the importance of taking initiative and actively seeking opportunities, rather than waiting for them to appear. Of course, there’s always an element of timing and luck, but positioning yourself in the right place and being ready to take opportunities when they arise makes all the difference. 

What advice would you give to students who feel uncertain about their future career path? 

Strip it back to basics: focus on what you enjoy and what you’re good at. If you’re unsure, ask for support and explore different options. Don’t feel pressured into a fixed path - there are many routes to success. And remember, choosing one path doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it forever. Be open and adaptable; there’s always another opportunity around the corner if something doesn’t feel right. 

In the words of Ted Lasso: “Be curious.”