<p>Last week, our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve… Level: Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction</a> learners took part in a Speed Interview Day alongside <strong>11 different construction employers</strong>. This event provided them with the invaluable opportunity to secure a <strong>placement</strong> as part of their T Level programme.</p><p>The day started with the employers each giving <strong>10-minute presentations </strong>to the learners about what their company offer, and how having a T Level placement would benefit both their business and the learner. Some examples of projects the learners could be working on for their placement included the project to <strong>restore the Grade II* Listed Birnbeck Pier,</strong> <strong>construction of Weston Airfield Primary School</strong>, and <strong>aiding the reconstruction of railway lines.</strong></p><p>The presentations provided the learners with a comprehensive understanding of what each employer could offer in terms of placement opportunities, company culture, and potential career pathways. This well-rounded insight enabled the learners to make informed decisions about which three employers aligned best with their interests and aspirations, allowing them to select the companies they were most eager to engage with during the speed interview sessions.</p><p>Following the presentations, learners participated in three speed interviews with their preferred employers. During these interviews, they tackled typical interview questions and demonstrated why they would be the perfect fit for the placements on offer.</p><p>Thank you to the following employers for coming along and giving our learners such a beneficial experience (also see what the placement learners will get up to with each business!)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ul><li><a href="https://n-somerset.gov.uk/">North Somerset Council</a> – Birnbeck Pier project management</li><li><a href="https://www.smithandbrenson.co.uk/">Smith and Brenson</a> – North Somerset Council’s contractor for the Birnbeck Pier landside</li><li><a href="https://haverstock.com/">Haverstock</a&gt; – North Somerset Council’s architect for the Birnbeck Pier lanside</li><li><a href="https://mackley.co.uk/">Mackley</a&gt; – North Somerset Council’s contractor for the Birnbeck Pier structure</li><li><a href="https://www.morgansindall.com/">Morgan Sindall</a> – North Somerset Council’s contractor for the Tropicana improvement project</li><li><a href="https://www.willmottdixon.co.uk/">Willmott Dixon</a> – constructing Weston Airfield Primary School</li><li><a href="https://www.tilburydouglas.co.uk/">Tilbury Douglas </a>- potential projects include education buildings or construction of healthcare centres</li><li><a href="https://www.kier.co.uk/">Kier Construction </a>- potential to work on projects such as new student accommodation or prison rooms</li><li><a href="https://www.beardconstruction.co.uk/">Beard Construction </a>- working on projects in Bristol</li><li><a href="https://www.dmsdrywallsystems.co.uk/">DMS Drywall Systems </a>- potential to work on new projects in the Bristol area</li><li><a href="https://griffiths.co.uk/">Griffiths</a&gt; - potential to work on the new Bus Service Improvement Plan</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Employer feedback:</strong></p><p>"Your students were amazing, and we had a great day. Thank you for having us!"</p><p>"Was a great event with another strong cohort this year. We are also happy to offer a week of work experience for the other students we interviewed on the day as they were really engaged."</p><p>"The enthusiasm and ambition of today’s students show just how bright that future can be!"</p><p>"Well done to the learners on T Levels at Weston College today. Great to see your enthusiasm for the construction industry and meet some of you in the speed interviews." &nbsp;</p><p>"Great T Level event run by Weston College this morning for the 1st yr T Level construction students. A chance to listen to presentations from all areas of the industry and then a speed interview session. Lovely to catch up with our Beard T Level student who was taking part in the morning. Thank you for our invite and the warm welcome."</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span data-teams="true">Weston College was delighted to welcome back its alumnus, <strong>Dave Trevaskus </strong>(now Head of Retail Training at the </span><a href="https://www.lego.com/en-gb/aboutus/lego-group"><span data-teams="true"><strong>LEGO Group</strong></span></a><span data-teams="true">), for a full day of workshops on Thursday 2nd of October. Dave’s visit brought energy, insight, and a genuine sense of connection as he shared lessons from his own journey and encouraged learners and staff to see every challenge as a stepping stone and to encourage a playful mindset.</span></p><p><span data-teams="true">Dave’s sessions revolved around three core themes: <strong>learning through play, sustaining curiosity, </strong>and<strong> embracing bravery.</strong> Drawing on more than 30 years of experience, he made it clear that real-life careers seldom follow a straight line, and that’s okay. He stressed how powerful it is to push beyond your comfort zone, because that’s where growth happens.</span></p><p><span data-teams="true">In his talk (featured in the video), Dave said, </span><em><span data-teams="true">“If you don’t make mistakes, you won’t create anything new.” </span></em><span data-teams="true">He reminded the audience that mistakes aren’t signs of failure, they’re part of the process. He also urged everyone to </span><em><span data-teams="true">“be curious first, and confident later”</span></em><span data-teams="true"> to ask questions, experiment, and let that spirit guide your next steps.</span></p><p><span data-teams="true">Dave opened the day with a playful but meaningful quiz, helping participants explore the LEGO Group’s history and values while also giving a peek into his own professional path. It sparked laughter, curiosity, and healthy rivalry - the quiz champion walked away with a special LEGO set.</span></p><p><span data-teams="true">One of the standout challenges had groups using just six LEGO bricks to build a duck. Despite everyone having the same minimal materials, the results were wildly varied. That playful exercise drove home a serious point: <strong>our perspectives differ, </strong>and that <strong>diversity is a strength. </strong>It showed how creativity, and the courage to try something unexpected, can turn the same raw materials into wholly unique outcomes.</span></p><p><span data-teams="true">Throughout the workshops, Dave returned repeatedly to his message about mistakes. He said, </span><em><span data-teams="true">“Don’t be afraid to break things - break assumptions,”</span></em><span data-teams="true"> and encouraged the group to reframe errors as experiments rather than missteps. In doing so, he helped foster a culture of resilience, curiosity, and more daring thinking.</span></p><p><span data-teams="true">Dave commented that for him the visit was more than a speaking engagement, it was a chance to return and to stir excitement and possibility in the next generation. His passion for lifelong learning, creative thinking, and courageous action resonated deeply, leaving attendees energized and more willing to lean into uncertainty.</span></p><p>&nbsp;</p><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width:605px;min-width:325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@westoncollege/video/7556974252814109974&quot; data-video-id="7556974252814109974"><section><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@westoncollege?refer=embed&quot; target="_blank" title="@westoncollege">@westoncollege</a> Weston College alumni, Dave, has made his way back to Weston College to host multiple workshops for both learners and staff about his career journey, learning through play and his role at @lego <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-WestonCollege-7556974283492…; target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - WestonCollege">♬ original sound - WestonCollege</a></p></section></blockquote><script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script&gt;

<p>It is vital that businesses keep their workers up to date with the latest industry trends and skills, and this is key for businesses in the automotive industry, where the likes of electric vehicles are constantly evolving and expanding.</p><p>To help automotive businesses with upskilling their staff, we offer <strong>Skills Bootcamps for Electric Vehicles, </strong>funded by the <strong>West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. </strong>This Skills Bootcamp runs over <strong>10 weeks </strong>(day release, <strong>1 day per week</strong> for 10 weeks) and equips staff with the technical knowledge and practical skills to confidently and safely maintain and repair electric and hybrid vehicles.</p><p>On completion, learners will be able to work safely on electric/hybrid vehicles and carry out essential tasks including<strong> high-voltage system repairs, data recording,</strong> and <strong>recommending maintenance solutions.</strong> The Skills Bootcamp includes a blend of classroom-based and hands-on workshop learning, preparing participants to meet the demands of the fast-evolving electric vehicle (EV) market.</p><p>Our Skills Bootcamps have paved the way for numerous inspiring success stories, and one standout example is Jack Goodall and <a href="https://www.aandd4x4.co.uk/">A&amp;D 4x4 Ltd.</a></p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ALkS_0ZZ34g?si=BiGkRG_6aFVhLhqw&quot; title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> &nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.aandd4x4.co.uk/">A&amp;D 4X4 </a>is an automotive company focused primarily in the Land Rover market, which increasingly involves hybrid and electric vehicle technologies. As the automotive industry shifts towards greener alternatives, it has become crucial for their technicians to possess skills in maintaining and repairing electric and hybrid vehicles.</p><p>Jack Goodall participated in the Electric Vehicle Skills Bootcamp, where he gained valuable, up-to-date knowledge and hands-on experience with these emerging technologies. Since completing the program, Jack has integrated the skills and insights he acquired into his daily work at <a href="https://www.aandd4x4.co.uk/">A&amp;D 4X4</a>, greatly enhancing the company’s capability to service modern electric and hybrid Land Rovers with confidence and expertise.</p><p>During his time on the course, Jack covered a wide range of topics including:</p><ul><li><em>Health and Safety Protocols</em></li><li><em>Isolation &amp; Lockout Procedures</em></li><li><em>Electrical Engineering Fundamentals for Electric Vehicles</em></li><li><em>Electrical Theory</em></li><li><em>High Voltage Battery Charging System Theory</em></li><li><em>HV System Repair &amp; Rework</em></li><li><em>Fault Diagnosis</em></li><li><em>High Voltage Battery Removal</em></li><li><em>Module Disassembly</em></li><li><em>Testing and Replacement</em></li></ul><p>Our next Electric Vehicle Skills Bootcamp will begin on <strong>16th October 2025.</strong> <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/automotive/ski… find out more, click here.</a></p>