News and events

Weston-super-Mare's prestigious Winter Gardens venue played host to the highly anticipated annual Weston College Business Awards last night. 

The event brought together 250 distinguished guests for an inspiring celebration of learners and local employers who have worked closely with the college to offer work-placed opportunities to people taking their first steps in their career. 

The Winter Gardens was transformed into a hub of excitement and anticipation as attendees, including prominent figures from the local business community, educators, and local dignitaries, gathered to honour the outstanding achievements and commitment of individuals and businesses alike. 

This year we have revamped our awards and rather than separating out learner and employer awards, we celebrated partnerships – with both the learner and employer being recognised for the same award.   

The event was hosted by Bristolian Actor and BBC Radio Bristol Host, Joe Sims.

Interim Principal, Jacqui Ford commented: 

“It was fantastic to celebrate and showcase not only the exceptional talent and dedication of our learners but also the invaluable support and collaboration of our esteemed employer network, at the Weston College Business Awards. 

"The overwhelming number of nominations we received is a testament to the high standards and relentless commitment demonstrated by our learners. Each learner showed exceptional drive and ambition, making us immensely proud of their accomplishments. 

"Equally, our partnerships with key employers have proven to be vital for the growth and prosperity of our local community. It is through their unwavering support and collaboration that our learners can excel and thrive in their respective fields.  

"Congratulations to all the winners and nominees. Your hard work, dedication, and passion have truly set you apart. We are honoured to play a part in your journey and celebrate your successes with you." 

Winner of the Luke Wheaton Engineering and Automotive Partnership Award, Damien Pearcey from AmeyBriggs, commented on the evening: “Just to be nominated and shortlisted for these awards has been an achievement in itself, it’s been a fantastic opportunity from day 1 right up to today and i couldn't be more thankful to the college and AmeyBriggs. From here on out the sky is going to be the limit!” 

Additionally, Darcey Winter from North Somerset Council won the Business, Finance and Professional Services Partnership Award commented:  "To come to something like this tonight, it feels really nice to be recognised within the workplace and see all the other Weston College learners. I have my parents here, my colleagues and my apprenticeship assessor and it has been really nice to bring everyone together! 

Additionally, employers were acknowledged for their unwavering commitment to fostering a culture of learning and providing valuable opportunities to their workforce. 

Winners of the Into Work Partnership Award, Elborough Care Services, said: “We are so thrilled that we have won the into work partnership award tonight at the Weston College Business Awards. We are so proud of Josh and feel very lucky to have him in our team!” 

A huge thank you to our headline sponsor CJ Hole and sponsors, Honeyfield Property Services, DPL Partnership, Mindful Education, Image Sign Systems, Pace, Michelmores, Mendip Activity Centre and Skylight. 

A huge congratulations to all of our finalists and winners!  

Over 20 enthusiastic Level 2 Health & Social Care learners and industry employers met at our Health and Social Care careers event on Wednesday.

The event was designed not only to showcase the learners' skills and aspirations but also to foster meaningful interactions between learners and potential employers, laying the groundwork for future collaborations and employment opportunities!

The day began with a unique reverse careers fair, where learners presented their skills, experiences, and career ambitions directly to visiting employers through their creative work stands and CVs.

Employers engaged in one-on-one conversations, gaining firsthand insights into what the learners get up to and their future aspirations, learners were also able to speak with people within the industry to find out about their career journeys.

Participants then moved to the simulation suite, where learners demonstrated their practical skills in a controlled, real-world healthcare setting. Employers also experienced an interactive virtual reality (VR) session, showcasing the high standards of the Health & Social Care program.

The students conducted themselves in a professional manner, were eager to speak with the employers, and were especially proud to show off the incredible simulation suite. It was an all-round great event with learning opportunities for both employers and learners!

If you want to find out more about our Health and Social Care courses, click here: https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/health-and-social-care

North Somerset has become home to a new Mobile Newton Room located at our South West Skills Campus.

The mobile classroom with three table-top flight simulators will be used to teach students STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts with a specific aviation theme. 

The facility will provide a unique and unforgettable experience for visiting students and teachers providing them with the opportunity to explore, use high-quality equipment, collaborate, discuss, and have fun with STEM subjects.

The Boeing-supported Mobile Newton Room is engineered by the non-profit foundation FIRST Scandinavia, which will see Weston College offer a career relevant “Up in the Air with Numbers” Newton-module. Three-hour flight specific lessons run by teachers and flight instructors will target 18 students per session for a 12+ age group and will help to inspire and build STEM-related careers within the UK’s important South West aerospace hub. 

Councillor John Crockford-Hawley, The Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, officially opened the Mobile Newton Room, joined by representatives from local government, Boeing apprentices, students from the college, and local education and community groups. 

The concept, which originated in Norway, sees North Somerset as the latest in a network of Boeing-sponsored Newton Rooms across Europe. The UK’s first Newton Flight Academy was opened in Scotland at Glasgow Science Centre in 2022 followed by Newton South Yorkshire which opened in Rotherham in January 2024.

“I am very proud of our UK-based Newton collaborations to date and want to emphasise the importance of like-minded partners such as Weston College and FIRST Scandinavia in nurturing the next generation of scientists, engineers and aviators,” said Maria Laine, president of Boeing in the UK, Ireland and Nordic region. “Boeing is currently exploring the provision of apprenticeship courses with Weston College, and this Newton Room will ignite the start of an important partnership between our two organisations to support our future talent pipeline.”

The Mobile Newton Room builds on Boeing’s long-standing presence in the UK’s South West region and the recently opened Boeing Bristol facility, home to Boeing Defence UK and a workforce of over 700 employees. 

Alex Warner, Deputy Principal, Curriculum of the Weston College, said “We are thrilled to host the Mobile Newton Room at Weston College and as the lead college of the West of England Institute of Technology, this initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to providing innovative and engaging STEM education. By collaborating with Boeing and FIRST Scandinavia, we are not only enriching our students' learning experiences but also contributing to the development of future talent in the aerospace industry. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this unique educational opportunity will have on our students and the wider community.” 

Per-Arild Konradsen, CEO and founder of FIRST Scandinavia, added “Boeing and Weston College are excellent partners for bringing the Newton Concept to Weston-super-Mare. We feel honoured to work with institutions that share our values and passion for inspiring and preparing young students with quality STEM education. With the Mobile Newton Room experience, we hope to give a great STEM learning experience with our concept to teachers and students visiting.”

The Mobile Newton Room will be open between June 10 to June 28.  For schools wishing to book please follow this LINK.