Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds (old)
COURSES FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS
With hundreds of unique, exciting and inspiring programmes to choose from, everything you need to create your brighter future is waiting for you at Weston College.
From the minute you walk through the door, the experience and the environment that we create is all about maximising your potential. It’s about preparing and motivating you for a fresh and focused career pathway.
Every Weston College student becomes part of one of our exciting new Career Excellence Hubs. This means you will take part in a study programme with lots of career boosting benefits, all with the aim of help you to go further, giving you the opportunity to become career ready with the skills, knowledge and expertise you need to be successful in your next step and reach your ultimate goal - whatever that may be!
Whether you are looking for the next step after school or the next step in your career, we're bound to have a programme for you. Take a look below at the different types of qualifications available for school leavers and young people between 16 and 18 years old.
Did you know we also run English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)?
Start your brighter future by selecting a subject you're interested in below, and don't forget - you can apply online and it only takes 5 minutes!
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Find Your Future Path
Qualifications Explained
At Weston College we know that everyone learns differently. That’s why we deliver a variety of different qualification types - to give you the chance to learn in the way that suits you the most.
A Levels
A Levels develop the knowledge, skills and study habits to excel at university, as well as the attributes recognised by employers. Your academic studies will be complemented with enrichment opportunities such as trips, mentoring and work experience, providing the perfect springboard for your future career. A Levels are assessed through exams at the end of two years of study. Most learners study three subjects - some choose four.
Apprenticeships
With an apprenticeship you’ll go straight into the workplace and be shown clear routes to progress straight into employment within a specific occupation. You can achieve nationally recognised qualifications, earn a wage, and gain skills that will see you get ahead. On average you will spend 20% of your learning time in the college and 80% within the workplace..
Professional and Technical Qualifications
Professional and technical qualifications are designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to gain employment within specific industries or occupations. They provide a balance between theory and practical skills development. They are suited to those who want to get hands-on experience within a particular vocational area. These programmes include work placements. Assessment is more varied and will include exams, coursework and practical work.
Traineeships
Traineeships are a great way for 16 to 24-year-olds who haven’t yet gained the skills and experiences necessary to apply for jobs and apprenticeships. They are taught mostly in the workplace and include a mixture of personal and social development, and employability skills. The aim of a traineeship is to train you within a company so that you are more likely to be offered an apprenticeship or a job.
T Levels give you the chance to learn what a real career is like while you continue your studies. T Levels have been designed with leading businesses and employers to give you the knowledge and skills you need, including a minimum of 45 days on an industry placement – this means you will spend 80% of your learning time in College and 20% within the workplace.
CHOOSING WHAT TO STUDY
We are all about CAREERS NOT COURSES and pride ourselves on being able to offer a huge range of programmes to ensure you develop the skills and knowledge employers and universities are looking for. As the only education provider in North Somerset that enables you to work your way up from an entrylevel programme to a degree, we’re here to help you choose the right programme for you.
We can help you choose your study programme or apprenticeship by accessing the following support:
School Liaison Team
Working with local schools we help you find out about college life and programmes of study, and we provide you with advice and guidance about what programmes will best suit you. We will either visit your school, attend careers fairs and parents’ evenings or coordinate campus and virtual events such as our taster days, holiday workshops and tours.
Events
We put on a number of events over the year, which will be a mixture of face-to-face and virtual events. These provide you and your family with the opportunity to explore our facilities, speak to our lecturers, find out about the support on offer and choose the right programme for you. Our events also give you the opportunity to engage with a number of employers to find out about careers in their industry and why they value the calibre of candidates that come from Weston College.
CAREERS ADVICE
- On our website you can access a wealth of career guidance, such as:
- All the programmes you can study.
- What our alumni have gone on to achieve.
- Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) that will help explain what relevant careers and jobs are available, including salaries.
- NEW – Subject careers roadmaps, so you can map your journey with us and ensure it will get you into your chosen career. Also, check out Career Coach - this provides you with the opportunity to:
- Take an assessment that matches you with careers.
- Explore broad career pathways that match your strengths and interests.
- Compare careers within a pathway - including salaries, required education and more.
- Explore our programmes that will set you on the path to your desired career.
- Take a career assessment - and receive an in-depth report that can help you identify the best programme and career path for you!
We’re here and happy to help – if you would like more advice and guidance, contact our school liaison team by emailing schoolteam@weston.ac.uk. - they you can arrange a one-to-one careers appointment with our specialist staff.
LATEST NEWS
<p>Carpentry is an exciting trade, which is in high demand! It is a very skilled trade, with carpenters using natural materials (wood/timber) to cut, shape and install wooden structures, fittings and furniture.</p>
<p>In the UK there are more than 5,000 organisations who recruit carpenters, with an estimated turnover of nearly £4 billion.</p>
<p>With so much demand, you might be wondering how to become a carpenter? Well, you’ve come to the right place!</p>
<p>There are several different routes you can take to become a carpenter or joiner. You might be someone that is looking to earn while they learn, and the good news is, you can do this through an apprenticeship. Or you might be someone that wants to complete a course to learn some skills before entering the carpentry – whether this be full-time or part-time with evening courses.</p>
<p>Let’s look at the options in a little bit more detail.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>Apprenticeships</strong></h2>
<p>An apprenticeship is a fantastic way of entering the industry, and can be a great way to get your foot in the door with a local organisation that is looking to grow and develop their workforce.</p>
<p>Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16, so you could be a school leaver, or someone that wants to turn their passion into a career. As an apprentice you will be employed by the company, and complete training at college – you will be expected to work at least 30 hours a week, with the rest of your hours being training.</p>
<p>You can complete apprenticeships at a number of Levels, depending on your experience and skill level. At Weston College, we offer several different carpentry apprenticeships, click the course below to find out more:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/carpentry/carp… and Joinery Level 2</a> – 14 months</li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/carpentry/site… Carpentry Level 2</a> – 14 months</li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/construction/c… and Joinery Level 3</a> – 12 months</li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/construction/s… Carpentry Level 3</a> – 12 months</li>
</ul>
<p>Once you have completed your apprenticeship, you can either further your development by studying the next level, or go into full-time work.</p>
<p>Before you work on a construction site, you will need a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card.</p>
<p> </p>
<h2><strong>College Courses</strong></h2>
<p>If you would prefer to study at College, there are a range of options available, from full-time courses to shorter part-time courses.</p>
<p>We offer courses for <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan… 1, Level 2 and Level 3</a>, which all aim to develop your skills and prepare you for life as a carpenter.</p>
<p>On our full-time courses you will be part of our Construction Career Excellence Hub, which means that you will get unrivalled access to employers, with opportunities for work experience, master classes and hearing from industry insiders. Our construction courses are all endorsed by organisations from industry.</p>
<p>We also offer <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/construction/s… adult courses in Carpentry</a>, which allow you to sharpen your skills and are a great opportunity to change careers.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>If you'd like to find out more about a career in carpentry, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news-and-events/events?utm_source=main-menu&am… along to one of our open evenings</a> and chat to the team, they will be more than happy to help!</p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Last week our Sixth Form learners got the opportunity to meet their Career Ready mentors. </p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Career Ready is a programme delivered by the social mobility charity, <a href="https://careerready.org.uk/">Career Ready</a>, that is at the heart of a network of educators and employers who believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to kickstart a rewarding future!</p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">The workshop was hugely successful, with mentors from businesses like <a href="https://www.thatcherscider.co.uk/">Thatchers</a>, <a href="https://abatec.co.uk/">Abatec</a>, <a href="https://www.turnerandtownsend.com/">Turner & Townsend</a>, Epic Beers limited, <a href="https://www.otho.uk/">Otho UK</a>, and <a href="https://westcotts.uk/">Westcotts </a>in attendance.</p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Emma Cox, from Thatchers said "Through our nationally recognised Young Talent Programme, Thatchers regularly engage with the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs?utm_source=main-menu&am… Excellence Hubs</a> at Weston College to engage and inspire students. We really enjoyed the session at the Sixth Form and look forward to future activities."</p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Mentors delivered interesting talks on their companies and what they do, as well as engaging in 1-1 sessions with their learner mentees to offer advice and guidance on how they can progress post-college.</p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Richard, from <a href="https://abatec.co.uk/">Abatec Recruitment</a> told us “It was a pleasure to have been invited to the Career Ready icebreaker and I am looking forward to working with our allocated student over the duration of the course.”</p>
<p>10 of our Sixth Form learners are currently signed up to the programme, with plans to expand to more areas across college like Computer Science and SEND.</p>
<p>Learners had this to say:</p>
<p>"I found it very useful. The group environment when first meeting our mentors was very good as it eased some nervousness. It was well organised and I really enjoyed it as I got to learn the next steps with my mentor."</p>
<p>"My first meeting with my mentor went really well and she was easy to talk to. I hope to be clearer about my career aspirations by the end of the programme."</p>
<p>Career Ready is a fantastic opportunity for our Further Education learners to really invest into their futures and make proactive steps to achieve their hopes and aspirations for their careers!</p>
<p>Thank you to all of the wonderful mentors that attended!</p>
<p>To find out more about the Career Ready Programme, <a href="https://careerready.org.uk/">click here</a>.</p>
<p>To find out more about A Levels, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… here</a>.</p>
<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []"> </p>
<p> </p>
<p>Weston College’s Construction Career Excellence Hub launched BACE Talks this week, which went down very successfully with learners.</p>
<p>The idea, which took inspiration from the very popular online series, TED Talks, allows learners to hear from industry professionals, who share their story and give top tips for the industry.</p>
<p>The first event was headlined by Pete Greene, the Deputy Branch Manager at Bradfords Building Supplies. He shared his personal story, which really connected with the learners, and inspired them.</p>
<p>Richard Hanney, the Subject Area Manager for Construction Trades at Weston College, said: “BACE Talks are a fantastic new initiative, which is bringing our Career Excellence Hub to life.</p>
<p>“We work with a range of fantastic employers, who all have so much knowledge and experience to share with our learners, and we are looking forward to creating this platform which will benefit all involved.</p>
<p>“The team have worked on a fantastic setting for BACE Talks as well, which combines the industry we’re working in with the type of backdrop you would expect to see in a TED Talk.</p>
<p>“We have some excellent guest speakers lined up for the rest of the term, and I know that the learners are just as excited as I am, for what is going to be shared.”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… you’re interested in starting a career in construction, you can find out about our courses for 16-19 year olds by clicking here.</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/Free-BACE-courses">Or, if you’re an adult looking to either gain some new skills or change career, please click here.</a></p>
