This month, our Health & Social Care students took part in Future Skills Week, a week full of hands-on workshops, employer visits and essential training to ensure our students gain the crucial skills required for a career in the industry.  

The week began with careers tutorials to ensure the students had a comprehensive understanding of the career options available to them after college. Students then took part in mock interviews with Seb Farr, the Recruitment and Retention Lead at Access Your Care, a local organisation which provides essential care services to residents across North Somerset. This prepared them for real-world interviews, giving them experience with the types of questions to ask, what they can expect, and the general format of an interview. This career-focused day aimed to reduce the fear and ambiguity that can accompany when finishing college.  

A range of employers also delivered engaging workshops to provide a deeper understanding of the potential career paths available. Employers from organisations like Weston Hospicecare and local care homes visited to outline the careers in care and the benefits, roles and responsibilities of this route. Access Your Care also visited again to deliver an introduction to Health & Social Care and engage our students with the key expectations within the industry and the values required to become a Health & Social Care practitioner.  

Introducing students to a wide range of employers provides them with invaluable networking opportunities and a broader view of the career pathways available to them within the Health & Social Care industry. From nursing and healthcare assistant, to carer, support worker or social care, students can progress to many roles that will make a difference within the community. Additionally, students could progress to occupational therapy, mental health practitioner, or even biological laboratory science.  

By learning more about the potential options and career paths that students can pursue, gives them more time to consider their next steps following college. Depending on the route they wish to take, students may have to complete a degree or degree apprenticeship at university to become qualified, while some students may be able to go straight into full-time employment following the successful completion of their course.  

Future Skills Week better equips our students with what to expect regarding the journey they must take to achieve their goals. It provides students with an in-depth understanding of the wide range of careers depending on their interests and gives them the opportunity to speak to healthcare professionals that have invaluable insight and knowledge regarding these careers.   

Thank you to all employers who took the time to take part in our Future Skills Week, engage with our students and share your journey and experiences with us.  

This Future Skills Week forms part of the Health & Social Care 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.  

Progress to the next level in Healthcare! At University Centre Weston (UCW) 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. Click here! 

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 here. 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.