<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">At Weston College, we pride ourselves on providing apprentices with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in their careers. One of our former apprentices, Asha George, is a perfect example of how an apprenticeship can open doors to new opportunities. Asha completed a Level 2 Junior Estate Agent apprenticeship while working at Cross Keys Estates and has since built a successful career in the property industry. She shares with us her journey and insights into the benefits of apprenticeships.&nbsp;</p><p>During her apprenticeship, Asha gained a wealth of knowledge and practical skills that have helped her excel in her role. She developed expertise in identifying property age and construction types, spotting defects, preparing for negotiations, agreeing terms of sale, conducting viewings, and selling the services of her company.&nbsp;</p><p>Beyond industry-specific knowledge, Asha also improved her communication, time management, and organisational skills – crucial in her role as an estate agent.&nbsp;</p><p>Like many apprentices, Asha faced challenges during her course, particularly as someone with ADHD. However, she received excellent support from her Weston College assessor, Georgie, who ensured she had the flexibility and extra time needed to complete her work successfully.&nbsp;</p><p>"By having some flexibility, dedicating a day to my apprenticeship work, and speaking with Georgie about any concerns, I was able to overcome and manage the challenges I faced," Asha explains.&nbsp;</p><p>One of Asha’s fondest memories from her apprenticeship was spending a week shadowing her Director. This experience gave her insights into the valuation process, including preparing reports, attending valuations, and following up with clients.&nbsp;</p><p>"It was a great week of learning about a slightly different role within the business and how different valuations should be approached. I also loved learning about construction and defects – it was a fantastic module that has massively helped me in my role as an estate agent."&nbsp;</p><p>For Asha, choosing an apprenticeship was a strategic decision that allowed her to apply her learning directly to her job. She was also motivated to gain a qualification that would set her apart in the industry.&nbsp;</p><p>"Being a young woman in this industry can be challenging at times. While the world has made lots of progress, we do occasionally meet people who unfortunately haven’t. This motivated me to gain a qualification through an apprenticeship, giving me as much skill, knowledge, experience, and confidence as possible."&nbsp;</p><p>Since completing her course, Asha has taken her career to new heights. She is now a registered member of Propertymark, giving clients reassurance that she is qualified and up to date with industry regulations. She also manages her own portfolio of properties and sales, creates social media content for her company, and actively engages with clients.&nbsp;</p><p>When asked whether she would recommend an apprenticeship with Weston College, Asha had no hesitation in saying yes.&nbsp;</p><p>"Weston College is an excellent choice for anyone considering an apprenticeship. They have fantastic courses on offer, so there is something for everyone, and the support they provide goes above and beyond!"&nbsp;</p><p>Asha’s journey showcases the incredible opportunities that apprenticeships offer, blending education with real-world experience. If you're looking to start your career while gaining a valuable qualification, an apprenticeship could be the perfect choice for you!&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Interested in an apprenticeship?</strong> <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/apprenticeships?utm_source=ma… our courses and start your career today!</u></a>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Two of our ESOL learners, Romina and Glenn, have been taking part in a weekly <strong>Hospitality Course</strong> at<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.lovesweston.co.uk/"><strong>Loves Cafe</strong></a>. This fantastic initiative, a collaboration between the community and North Somerset Council, aims to support refugees and asylum seekers by equipping them with <strong>essential skills </strong>to help them <strong>gain employment</strong> in the <strong>hospitality sector</strong>.</p><p>Throughout the course, our learners have been developing their <strong>customer service expertise</strong>, learning <strong>key terminology</strong> relevant to hospitality roles, practicing how to <strong>take orders efficiently,</strong> and getting hands-on experience using <strong>card machines.</strong> To build their confidence and practical skills, they have engaged in <strong>role-play exercises</strong>, taking turns as customers and waiters/waitresses to simulate real-life working environments.</p><drupal-entity alt="ESOL learners using card machine" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d6b2f92b-82a6-4829-b0a8-5269c3462258" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Beyond customer service, the learners have also gained valuable knowledge in <strong>food hygiene, food allergies, reading menus,</strong> and <strong>processing orders</strong>. In the coming weeks, they will have the exciting opportunity to enhance their skill set further with <strong>barista training</strong>, delivered by<strong> </strong><a href="https://radicalroasters.bigcartel.com/?srsltid=AfmBOooh-KpucGabfU4bt2vP… Roosters Bristol Coffee Roasters</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>One of our learners, Glenn, joined the course with the ambition of securing his first role in hospitality. Through his hard work and dedication, he has grown significantly in confidence, and he is now planning to apply for a Hospitality course at Weston College to further develop his skills and take the next step in his career.</p><p>Meanwhile, Romina has demonstrated incredible personal growth throughout the course. Her commitment and passion for both learning and contributing to the community were recently recognised when she won the <strong>‘Above and Beyond’</strong> award at our Student Conference!</p><p>We are excited to see our learners continue to integrate and develop their skills throughout the rest of this course!</p><p><strong>(below is an example of a worksheet which helped the learners with learning key phrases in hospitality!)</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="Example of ESOL learner&apos;s work" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="02c3c9ed-5311-4d5a-b8f2-6cc62bd699eb" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity>

<p>This <strong>National Supported Internship Day</strong>, we wanted to share how impactful <strong>Supported Internships</strong> are on both businesses and learners. <a href="https://www.bakersdolphin.com/">Bakers Dolphin</a> and one of our supported interns, Harry, have shared their internship experiences in their blogs – read below to find out what they said!</p><p><strong>Bakers Dolphin -</strong></p><p>My name is Derek, and I work at <a href="https://www.bakersdolphin.com/">Bakers Dolphin</a>. My role is quite comprehensive; I am a Quality &amp; Compliance Manager, but I also take on responsibilities within HR and recruitment. This means I am involved in various aspects of the business, from maintaining standards to ensuring we have the right team in place.</p><p>My experience of working with supported interns has been very positive. I was initially unsure of what to expect, but having a supported intern on board has been a rewarding experience. I’ve gained a loyal, supportive, and committed individual who has integrated well as part of the team.</p><p>Having a supported intern has provided the business with greater flexibility. Harry has added efficiency to our operations, and I know I can rely on him when things change. His adaptability has been a great asset, allowing us to adjust to different situations smoothly.</p><p>One of the standout moments was seeing Harry’s confidence grow when working on the coach. At the beginning of the week, he was just getting used to the environment, but by the end, he was confidently greeting and onboarding customers. His progression throughout the internship has been remarkable.</p><p>I would say the main skills supported interns gain from their work experience are:</p><ul><li>Confidence – They learn to interact with colleagues and customers, which builds self-assurance.</li><li>Social Skills – They improve their ability to communicate and work within a team.</li><li>Industry Knowledge – They gain valuable insights into how a business operates within their chosen field.</li></ul><p>Supported interns have made our business more efficient. They contribute to daily tasks and help keep operations running smoothly.</p><p>I am very positive about Harry’s future within <a href="https://www.bakersdolphin.com/">Bakers Dolphin</a>. We take pride in helping him build a career and providing him with the foundation he needs to be successful. Seeing his growth and development makes us confident in his potential.</p><p>We have required little support from the college overall while working with supported interns, but knowing that Weston College were there if needed was reassuring. The regular reviews of the internship were beneficial, as they allowed open discussions between me, Harry, and Weston College about his progress and journey.</p><p>To anyone considering taking on a supported intern, I would say to give it a go – you may be surprised! It has been a great experience, and I would encourage other businesses to consider it.</p><p><strong>Supported Intern, Harry -</strong></p><p>My name is Harry, and I completed my supported internship at <a href="https://www.bakersdolphin.com/">Bakers Dolphin</a>.</p><p>One of my favourite moments of my supported internship was after the summer holidays when I was told I had secured an internship at <a href="https://www.bakersdolphin.com/">Bakers Dolphin</a>. Another highlight was being informed in my first week that I had a driving assessment booked, which was exciting and motivating.</p><p>During my internship I have learned that you can always ask for help at <a href="https://www.bakersdolphin.com/">Bakers Dolphin</a>. “Every day is a school day” – I have learned that there is always something new to pick up and improve on.</p><p>I contribute to the day-to-day workload of the business by making myself available to work flexibly; I was adaptable when plans changed and ensured I could assist wherever needed.</p><p>My supported internship has given me the confidence to ask for help when I need it, which has made me feel more comfortable in a work environment.</p><p>Weston College played a key role in helping me secure my internship. One of the most significant moments was getting a driving role within my first week, which gave me a strong start in the role.</p><p>To any businesses considering taking on a supported intern, I would say to give the student time, as they need to adjust. With the right support and patience, supported interns can grow into valuable members of the team.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Amy Harding, Supported Employment and Careers Assessor, quoted:</p><p><em><strong>"</strong><span data-olk-copy-source="MessageBody"><strong>Harry’s Internship with Bakers Dolphin is a fantastic example of what true career investment can look like for learners with SEND. In addition to offering Harry a part-time job, Bakers are committed to supporting his driver training and future career development”.</strong></span></em></p>