<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Earlier this month, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/apprenticeships/electrical-co… Installation Apprentice</a>, Gracie Donaghy, was named joint winner of the <strong>Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2026</strong> Award alongside another apprentice Petra O’Flaherty. Competing against more than 3,000 apprentices from across the UK and Ireland, Gracie successfully progressed through several challenging stages before being crowned one of just two winners.</p><p>The <strong>Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2026</strong> Award is an annual competition celebrating the most promising new talent within the trade industry across the UK and Ireland. The competition encourages apprentices to push themselves beyond their comfort zones, showcase their skills, and stand out among some of the industry’s brightest emerging professionals.</p><p>Throughout the application process, Gracie completed a series of written submissions, interviews, and practical workshops with major brands including DeWalt, Google, and Lego. She then advanced to the final stage, where she faced an interview panel made up of six industry specialists. Impressing the judges with her extensive knowledge, professionalism, and hands-on experience within the trade, Gracie secured the title of Screwfix Trade Apprentice 2026. Alongside this prestigious achievement, she received a prize package worth £10,000, including tools, training, and technology, as well as £2,000 worth of Screwfix vouchers for Weston College.</p><p>This latest success adds to an already impressive list of achievements for Gracie, who was also named <strong>SPARKS Female Skills Winner 2025</strong>. These accomplishments are a reflection of her dedication, precision, and strong work ethic. Taking part in competitions has also enabled her to network with employers, receive valuable feedback, and further develop her practical skills and industry knowledge. Competing alongside other talented apprentices has broadened her perspective and introduced her to new approaches within the trade, helping her continue to grow both personally and professionally.</p><p>Gracie Donaghy said:</p><p>“Winning this prestigious award is such a huge honour, and I am incredibly grateful to the team at Screwfix for giving me this opportunity. Earning the title of Screwfix Trade Apprentice, alongside the fantastic prizes, will massively benefit my career going forward, not only throughout the remainder of my apprenticeship, but also in my future career. It has also shown me that all my hard work is paying off.”</p><p>“I have always felt supported and encouraged throughout my time at Weston College to produce my best work. My lecturers have consistently motivated me to enter competitions to help build my confidence and allow me to recognise both my strengths and the areas where I can continue to improve. Without their ongoing support and encouragement, I would never have realised what I was capable of achieving.”</p><p>“I would encourage any apprentice considering entering a competition to go for it. You never truly know what you’re capable of until you put yourself out there. Competitions open up incredible opportunities, help you grow in confidence, and are hugely beneficial both personally and professionally.”</p><p>Richard Hanney, Head of <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; at Weston College, added:</p><p>“Gracie continues to amaze us with everything she has achieved throughout her time at Weston College. The work she produces is consistently of an exceptionally high standard, and she is always a pleasure to work with. We are incredibly proud of how far she has come and excited to see what she achieves next.</p><p>We always encourage our learners to step outside of their comfort zones and take part in competitions to build confidence and showcase their talents. Seeing how much they gain from these experiences, both personally and professionally, is fantastic.”</p><p>Thank you to the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… Trades</a> Team at Weston College for their ongoing support and dedication to push their learners beyond the classroom, these achievements wouldn’t be possible without your care and encouragement.</p><p>Finally, a huge congratulations to Gracie on this outstanding achievement, and a massive thank you for securing £2,000 worth of Screwfix vouchers for Weston College, helping to support future talent and invest in high-quality equipment for our learners.</p><p>This competition forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">This week, one of our Electrical Apprentices, Marcus Pan, competed in the <strong>SPARKS Learner of the Year</strong> <strong>2026</strong> competition, working on an electrical build against other learners from across the UK. After winning the South West Regional competition in January, Marcus progressed to the final against 6 other regional winners and placed 2nd overall. A fantastic achievement and reflection of his hard work and dedication to his apprenticeship.</p><p>The SPARKS competition brings together individuals from across the UK to compete for the title of Learner of the Year award and showcase their talent amongst other students within the industry. This is a prestigious and well-known competition sponsored and endorsed by several industry professionals, making this a fantastic networking opportunity as well as providing various career-enhancing prizes to support our students’ professional development.</p><p>Marcus is a <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/apprenticeships/electrical-co… 3 Electrical Installation and Maintenance Apprentice</a> with <strong>Holden Electrical</strong>, and is a hardworking and determined student who demonstrated an outstanding approach, attitude, and standard of work throughout the competition.</p><p>The finals were a demanding two-day installation involving multiple systems and components, all completed against strict industry criteria in a time-sensitive environment. Competitors were required to install, power up, test, and fault-find their work under pressure, demanding both technical excellence and resilience.</p><p>Not only was his result a reflection of his attention to detail, dedication, and precision, but it also displayed the fantastic support and teaching within our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; team at Weston College.</p><p>Marcus received multiple job offers as a result of his success, however, he remains focused on completing his apprenticeship and continuing his journey with Holden Electrical.</p><p>Marcus said, “The build was challenging as I’ve not done much metal work but overall it was good and I feel I timed it well. This competition has also given me connections to many people and companies which may be helpful in the future, but it has also built my confidence knowing that my standard of work is good enough to win such a huge achievement. Thank you to my lecturers who has supported and helped me throughout my time at college!”</p><p>Richard Hanney, Head of <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; at Weston College, added, “We are incredibly proud of Marcus for the professionalism, confidence, and skill he demonstrated throughout this competition. Competing in an unfamiliar environment alongside other highly talented students is never easy, yet Marcus remained composed and self-assured from start to finish. He applied his abilities with precision and professionalism, ultimately achieving an outstanding result.”</p><p>“Providing students with opportunities like this not only strengthens their confidence, but also gives them a valuable advantage within the industry. Experiences of this standard help students build meaningful professional networks, develop essential career skills, receive professional-standard tools and equipment that support their development, and enhance their portfolios by competing in such prestigious competitions.”</p><p>Well done to the competition winner, Samuel Stevely of HRUC Uxbridge, and all of the students who took part, and a massive well done to Marcus for this fantastic achievement and for representing the college with an amazing display of professionalism and maturity throughout both competitions!</p><p>This competition forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last week, Level 2 <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; learner, Izzy Tanner, competed in the <strong>Guild of Bricklayers</strong> competition at New College Swindon, demonstrating an excellent level of skill and professionalism.</p><p>The <strong>Guild of Bricklayers</strong> aims to promote and uphold the highest standards of craftsmanship in brickwork. The Guild annually organises Junior and Senior regional heats through the UK’s Construction college network, with the support of industry partnerships. These competitions bring together bricklaying professionals from all over the UK to further develop their skills and confidence.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Izzy and her lecturer smiling before the competition&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="1d2fc589-9eb0-4310-855a-13ee729e92b0" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_650x650&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>During the competition, Izzy encountered some challenges, identifying an issue with her build in which she made the difficult decision to take her wall down completely and start again from scratch as opposed to trying to patch and adjust to rescue the build. This display of problem-solving showed the high-quality that Izzy maintains throughout her work, knowing that a quick fix wouldn’t meet the benchmark standard that her work reflects.</p><p>By the end of the competition, Izzy had rebuilt two-thirds of her wall to a much higher standard, taking the time to be precise and careful, with a strong focus on quality. She displayed the importance of finishing properly as opposed to finishing first, and that the integrity of her work was more valuable than completing a job that didn’t meet her standard of work.</p><p>Although Izzy didn’t place, she displayed an excellent amount of resilience, confidence, and professional judgement, working well under pressure and producing a high-quality build even in the face of adversities. Her attention to detail and determination stood out in the competition, showing the importance of not just who wins, but how students approach the task with accuracy and thought.</p><p>Competitions like this are a fantastic opportunity for students to meet likeminded individuals and build on constructive feedback from industry professionals, making their work even stronger and preparing them for a career in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…;. We encourage as many of our students as possible to take part in enriching competitions like this to develop their confidence, expose them to industry standards, and provide them with networking opportunities.</p><p>Izzy reflected on her work following the competition, saying, “I’m so pleased I started again. I feel a lot better about the work I’ve done, and proud that in college I may have had to walk away, but today I didn’t."</p><p>Richard Hanney, Head of <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; at Weston College, said, “Izzy has overcome several barriers on her journey, but this was another moment worth celebrating, not just for the outcome, but for the character she displayed. It is important that our students develop not only the skills and precision required to succeed in the industry, but also build the qualities and attributes that will set them apart from others and reflect their enthusiasm for their work, and it was great to see Izzy embody that.”</p><p>A huge well done to Izzy and to the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; team who have worked with her and supported her journey!</p><p>This competition forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.&nbsp;</p><p>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/engineering-and-construction/"…;! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/">University Centre Weston (UCW)</a> our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/">Click here!</a></p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></p>