Weston College was delighted to welcome back its alumnus, Dave Trevaskus (now Head of Retail Training at the LEGO Group), 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.

Dave’s sessions revolved around three core themes: learning through play, sustaining curiosity, and embracing bravery. 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.

In his talk (featured in the video), Dave said, “If you don’t make mistakes, you won’t create anything new.” He reminded the audience that mistakes aren’t signs of failure, they’re part of the process. He also urged everyone to “be curious first, and confident later” to ask questions, experiment, and let that spirit guide your next steps.

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.

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: our perspectives differ, and that diversity is a strength. It showed how creativity, and the courage to try something unexpected, can turn the same raw materials into wholly unique outcomes.

Throughout the workshops, Dave returned repeatedly to his message about mistakes. He said, “Don’t be afraid to break things - break assumptions,” 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.

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.

@westoncollege 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 ♬ original sound - WestonCollege