Weston College takes local action to mark Colleges Week 2021

Following on from the success of last year’s ‘Love Our Colleges’ campaign, Weston College is dedicating 18 – 22 October to Colleges Week 2021 and highlighting the amazing work colleges do and why long-term investment is crucial if the government is to ‘level up’ all areas of the country.

As part of Colleges Week, Weston College is celebrating its WorldSkills students and their development journey as they prepare to compete on a national level, also service sector students will be in the Sovereign Centre on Monday 18th with Hospitality and Catering students making cakes and pastries, Fashion, Theatre, Media Hair and Make-up students will be creating themed demos and Early Years and Education students will be providing activities and packs to take away for children aged under 5. Plus, the College will be celebrating some of our adult learner journeys who have used education and training to find a job or get a promotion or change their careers completely!

Events are taking place all week and Thursday will see students and staff calling for dedicated support for colleges to take action on climate change. With the government’s comprehensive spending review taking place imminently, Colleges Week is also a reminder to the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak that funding colleges, training and skills is the catalyst for a stronger, fairer and more resilient society. We are calling on John Penrose MP to ensure we remain a priority in the comprehensive spending review.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE Principal and Chief Executive at Weston College said: “Providing world class education is what we aim to do here at Weston College. With fantastic industry opportunities, taught by industry professionals, we're all about forging careers and not just courses. Colleges Week not only highlights the need for proper investment to make this happen but also showcases the amazing place Weston College is for students and staff.

“This year’s week of action comes at a crucial time. The big contribution further education will make to the country’s economic rebuild must be recognised and long-term investment is vital if we are to combat long-term challenges like climate change and training workers for the jobs of the future.”

David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said: “Colleges Week showcases exactly why further education holds the answers to some of the biggest issues facing all of us. Now more than ever we need highly skilled and well-educated workforces to deliver the economic recovery this government aspires to.

“Colleges Week this year is about celebrating the amazing work colleges do, educating 2.2 million people every year, including more than 600,000 16 to 18-year-olds. They hold the key to reducing skills gaps, combatting inequality, and providing better opportunities to disadvantaged communities. This week is about making our voices heard and campaigning with partners to make sure colleges continue to be a serious political, economic and social priority.”