News and events

Will Creswick has marked the end of his 18-month apprenticeship with estate agency CJ Hole by earning his Customer Service Level 2 Practitioner qualification - and has been offered a full-time position on the spot!

Will began his apprenticeship soon after completing GCSEs at The Kings Academy in Cheddar. Under the guidance of his apprenticeship assessor Georgina, Will has balanced his apprenticeship assignments with on-the-job training at CJ Hole’s Burnham office.

Will’s new role as an administrator continues a family tradition, as he’ll be joining his father Edward and following in the footsteps of older brother Tom, who has been part of the CJ Hole team for several years.

Helen Hamilton, CJ Hole’s Operations Manager, praised Will’s dedication: “We are all so proud of Will and his achievement.”

“He has worked very hard over the past 18 months, and he thoroughly deserves this qualification. We know he will be a great asset to our award-winning team.”

To find out more about apprenticeships at Weston College, click here.

Weston College is proud to celebrate the outstanding success of four learners, who have all qualified for the WorldSkills UK national competitions.

The four learners, who will be competing in November, are: 

• Maddison Hulbert – Beauty Therapy Practitioner 
• Ellie Grimshaw – Beauty Therapy Practitioner 
• Oscar Adams – Foundation Skills: Digital 
• Jodi Massebo-Bass – Foundation Skills: Horticulture

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College, worked closely with Maddison and Ellie throughout their WorldSkills journey so far, and said:

“Maddie and Ellie have had an exceptional year, recently completing their Level 3 Beauty Therapy qualifications with Distinction * grades.

“Their commitment has gone far beyond the classroom, with both students undertaking extra weekly training outside of their regular timetable to hone their techniques and elevate their performance.

“Building on their experiences from last year’s WorldSkills UK Beauty Therapist qualifiers, Maddie and Ellie have embraced every opportunity to grow. This year, they competed in the inaugural South West Skills Challenge, where Maddie won 1st place in the Beauty Practitioner heat, and Ellie earned an impressive 2nd place in the Beauty Therapist heat. Ellie continued her winning streak by taking 1st place at the AHT Finals in Blackpool this May, outperforming a strong field of competitors.

“Their momentum carried through to this year’s WorldSkills competition, where their entry videos earned them spots in the regional heats at Cardiff and Vale College. Now, both learners have successfully qualified for the national finals in the Beauty Therapy Practitioner category—placing them among the top eight young beauty therapists in the UK.

“This achievement not only reflects their personal excellence but also the high-quality training provided by Weston College’s Beauty Therapy team. With expert guidance from Heather and Becky, and strategic support from the Head of Service Sectors, Maddie and Ellie have been empowered to reach their full potential.”

In recognition of their talent, both students have already secured employment offers from Cadbury Spa, one of the college’s valued CEH employer partners—demonstrating the powerful collaboration between Weston College and local industry.

Find out more about WorldSkills at Weston College, by clicking here.

One of our University Centre Weston (UCW) students, Ryan, has recently completed his degree and moved to Florida to work at Walt Disney World, having completed a full 6-year journey through the creatives at Weston College.  

Ryan’s journey began on the Level 2 Art & Design course where he trialled a range of mediums and developed his skills. During this 1-year course, Ryan found his passion, leading him to complete the Level 3 Graphics Design course at Weston College. Here he built a foundation of knowledge surrounding the different software and tools required to become a Graphic Designer. 

Once he had completed his Level 3 Graphic Design course, Ryan wanted to enhance his skillset further, deciding to progress to the BA (Hons) Graphic Design at University Centre Weston (UCW). During this degree, Ryan entered a competition to design the logo for the Knife Angel visit where it was selected to represent this powerful message. The Knife Angel is a 27ft statue made from 100,000 seized blades which represents the need for social change and the negative effects of violent and aggressive behaviour, particularly in knife crime. 

This opportunity was a great way for Ryan to not only get his work out there and build his confidence and portfolio, but it was also an excellent way to work with clients, follow an external brief, and network with industry professionals involved in such an important cause. 

In addition, Ryan helped his peers with different techniques throughout his degree, giving them assistance with software and tools where needed, and helping them to build their confidence and encouraging them to push their creative boundaries.  

Once Ryan had completed his degree at UCW, he applied to work at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida where he is currently working in merchandising at the flagship World of Disney store in Disney Springs. This exciting opportunity allows Ryan to step out of his comfort zone, meet new people, and network with potential employers from across the world, whilst being inspired by all the magic that takes place within the Resort.  

After having completed 3 years at Weston College and discovering his passion, to progressing onto a further 3 years at UCW, Ryan is a fantastic example of commitment and perseverance, chasing after his goals and constantly developing his skills in a fast-paced and dynamic subject area. 

Well done Ryan for your hard work and efforts, we hope you enjoy Disney and that we get to see your designs in the future! 

If you’re interested in applying to our Graphic Design or Art & Design courses, click the desired subject. 

If you’re interested in browsing our university courses at UCW, click here.