
Programmes for School Leavers
Courses for 16 to 18-year-olds
COURSES FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS
With hundreds of unique, exciting and inspiring programmes to choose from, everything you need to create your brighter future is waiting for you at Weston College.
From the minute you walk through the door, the experience and the environment that we create is all about maximising your potential. It’s about preparing and motivating you for a fresh and focused career pathway.
Every Weston College student becomes part of one of our exciting new Career Excellence Hubs. This means you will take part in a study programme with lots of career boosting benefits, all with the aim of help you to go further, giving you the opportunity to become career ready with the skills, knowledge and expertise you need to be successful in your next step and reach your ultimate goal - whatever that may be!
Whether you are looking for the next step after school or the next step in your career, we're bound to have a programme for you. Take a look below at the different types of qualifications available for school leavers and young people between 16 and 18 years old.
Did you know we also run English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL)?
Start your brighter future by selecting a subject you're interested in below, and don't forget - you can apply online and it only takes 5 minutes!
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Qualifications Explained
At Weston College we know that everyone learns differently. That’s why we deliver a variety of different qualification types - to give you the chance to learn in the way that suits you the most.
A Levels
A Levels develop the knowledge, skills and study habits to excel at university, as well as the attributes recognised by employers. Your academic studies will be complemented with enrichment opportunities such as trips, mentoring and work experience, providing the perfect springboard for your future career. A Levels are assessed through exams at the end of two years of study. Most learners study three subjects - some choose four.
Apprenticeships
With an apprenticeship you’ll go straight into the workplace and be shown clear routes to progress straight into employment within a specific occupation. You can achieve nationally recognised qualifications, earn a wage, and gain skills that will see you get ahead. On average you will spend 20% of your learning time in the college and 80% within the workplace..
Professional and Technical Qualifications
Professional and technical qualifications are designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to gain employment within specific industries or occupations. They provide a balance between theory and practical skills development. They are suited to those who want to get hands-on experience within a particular vocational area. These programmes include work placements. Assessment is more varied and will include exams, coursework and practical work.
Traineeships
Traineeships are a great way for 16 to 24-year-olds who haven’t yet gained the skills and experiences necessary to apply for jobs and apprenticeships. They are taught mostly in the workplace and include a mixture of personal and social development, and employability skills. The aim of a traineeship is to train you within a company so that you are more likely to be offered an apprenticeship or a job.
T Levels give you the chance to learn what a real career is like while you continue your studies. T Levels have been designed with leading businesses and employers to give you the knowledge and skills you need, including a minimum of 45 days on an industry placement – this means you will spend 80% of your learning time in College and 20% within the workplace.
CHOOSING WHAT TO STUDY
We are all about CAREERS NOT COURSES and pride ourselves on being able to offer a huge range of programmes to ensure you develop the skills and knowledge employers and universities are looking for. As the only education provider in North Somerset that enables you to work your way up from an entrylevel programme to a degree, we’re here to help you choose the right programme for you.
We can help you choose your study programme or apprenticeship by accessing the following support:
School Liaison Team
Working with local schools we help you find out about college life and programmes of study, and we provide you with advice and guidance about what programmes will best suit you. We will either visit your school, attend careers fairs and parents’ evenings or coordinate campus and virtual events such as our taster days, holiday workshops and tours.
Events
We put on a number of events over the year, which will be a mixture of face-to-face and virtual events. These provide you and your family with the opportunity to explore our facilities, speak to our lecturers, find out about the support on offer and choose the right programme for you. Our events also give you the opportunity to engage with a number of employers to find out about careers in their industry and why they value the calibre of candidates that come from Weston College.
CAREERS ADVICE
- On our website you can access a wealth of career guidance, such as:
- All the programmes you can study.
- What our alumni have gone on to achieve.
- Labour Market Intelligence (LMI) that will help explain what relevant careers and jobs are available, including salaries.
- NEW – Subject careers roadmaps, so you can map your journey with us and ensure it will get you into your chosen career. Also, check out Career Coach - this provides you with the opportunity to:
- Take an assessment that matches you with careers.
- Explore broad career pathways that match your strengths and interests.
- Compare careers within a pathway - including salaries, required education and more.
- Explore our programmes that will set you on the path to your desired career.
- Take a career assessment - and receive an in-depth report that can help you identify the best programme and career path for you!
We’re here and happy to help – if you would like more advice and guidance, contact our school liaison team by emailing schoolteam@weston.ac.uk. - they you can arrange a one-to-one careers appointment with our specialist staff.
LATEST NEWS

<p>T Levels can be a great stepping stone for students interested in <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/course-category/apprenticeship/">degree apprenticeships</a>. They provide a solid foundation of technical knowledge and practical skills that are often highly relevant to apprenticeships in industries like engineering, digital, and healthcare.</p><p>We spoke with two Degree Apprenticeship learners from <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/">UCW</a>, Joshua and Alexander, who both also completed <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… Levels</a> at Weston College, to discover how their T Level experience has influenced their success in their Degree Apprenticeships.</p><p> </p><p><strong>What T Level did you study at Weston College, and which degree apprenticeship are you now currently doing at UCW?</strong></p><p><strong>Joshua:</strong> I studied the T Level in <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu… Production, Design, and Development</a> at Weston College, and now I’m doing a degree apprenticeship in <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/digital-and-technology-solutions-bsc-hons… Development</a> at UCW.</p><p><strong>Alexander:</strong> I studied <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu… Production, Design and Development (DPDD)</a> and I am currently attending the <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/digital-and-technology-solutions-bsc-hons…; degree apprenticeship.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Which company are you currently working with for your degree apprenticeship?</strong></p><p><strong>Joshua:</strong> I am currently working for <a href="https://mttltd.com/">Motor Trade Technologies (MTT)</a> a company in the automotive industry which create garage management software and multiple other solutions in the industry.</p><p><strong>Alexander:</strong> I am currently working for <a href="https://www.airbus.com/en">Airbus</a>.</p><p> </p><p><strong>What were some highlights of your T Level experience?</strong></p><p><strong>Joshua:</strong> My main highlight for the T-Level is the industry placement I did for TwistedWeb, which is the sister company to MTT, as it allowed me to get an understanding of life in a workplace. It also taught me soft skills with talking to customers and skills I needed for my exams in college. Another highlight would be the final major project in my second year, as most people would say they hate exams, this exam was the most fun I had. It included in creating a web application based on a scenario given and going through the steps of the software cycle – this was the best part of my two years there.</p><p><strong>Alexander:</strong> The main highlight was the work experience! For me it was a very unique thing and my placement at Sen5e IT pushed my career forward a lot. Another highlight of my T Level was the teaching style, and the events that were held.</p><p> </p><p><strong>What inspired you to do a degree apprenticeship following your T Level?</strong></p><p><strong>Joshua:</strong> As a person who learns better by doing things in a practical way, I have always had my head set on continuing my education whilst gaining work experience, and the apprenticeship seemed like the perfect option. Also, seeing the students in the year above me in the T Level go to amazing apprenticeships, I felt like I should follow their footsteps and continue learning after my T Level.</p><p><strong>Alexander:</strong> The inspiration came from a mix of working in the workplace, as well as the educational side of a degree apprenticeship. As degree apprenticeships work in a similar way to my T Level, I found that the balance between the work experience and college really suited me, so I chose to continue with the same balance on the degree apprenticeship scheme.</p><p> </p><p><strong>How has your T Level helped you with your degree apprenticeship at UCW?</strong></p><p><strong>Joshua: </strong>The technical and theoretical skills I learnt during my T-Level have been the biggest help. I was already familiar with programming languages and software development practices. This made it a lot easier for me to handle the challenges at UCW whilst also contributing to the workplace.</p><p><strong>Alexander:</strong> The main thing that helped me with my degree apprenticeship from the T-Level was the work experience as it gave me an insight into what the work would be like and the transferable skills from coding.</p><p> </p><p><strong>How did you find the transition from T Levels to degree apprenticeship?</strong></p><p><strong>Joshua: </strong>The T-Level gave me a solid foundation, but the apprenticeship added another level of academic hardship, which took me a while to adjust to. Balancing work and study has also been a challenge, but it is still rewarding to see feedback on both university projects and work projects.</p><p><strong>Alexander:</strong> I found the transition to be very simple! The T-Level prepares you for the degree apprenticeship – it really feels like the course was built for the transfer into a degree apprenticeship.</p><p> </p><p><strong>How has the work placement you did during your T Level helped you in your current workplace for your degree apprenticeship?</strong></p><p><strong>Joshua:</strong> My work placement during my T-Level studies was the most valuable part of it. I learned how to communicate with clients, working as part of teams and managing deadlines. These are skills I use every day in my apprenticeship. It also gave me a better understanding of how the theory I was learning in the classroom applied in the real world.</p><p><strong>Alexander:</strong> The work placement I did during my T-Level was the best experience I have had in a workplace. It has helped me in my current workplace as I know how to act and how to present professionally within a work environment. All in all, it really prepared me for the whole of my current position at Airbus.</p><p> </p><p><strong>What advice would you give to anyone considering doing T Levels?</strong></p><p><strong>Joshua: </strong>If you are looking for a practical career, no matter what industry it is, and want to develop your hands-on skills while still getting a solid foundation in your industry, I would recommend T Levels time and time again. It's the best way to gain experience in a workplace and opens the door to apprenticeships, further education and even jobs. In my industry most companies are after experience when looking at CVs, and T Levels are your best friend when looking for experience in specific fields. One thing I had in my first year was the inability to gain a placement, but it took time and networking across the area to land a spot. I will always say not to worry and stay calm as there are always people to help you, the amount of support you get is amazing.</p><p><strong>Alexander:</strong> Do it - plain and simple! The T-Level is the best pathway to prepare you for both the workplace and a degree as it teaches you to balance your time and keep on top of your assignments. T Levels also teach you all the essential skills that every workplace is looking for and there is nothing more valuable than that.</p><p> </p><p><strong>What advice would you give anyone considering doing a degree apprenticeship?</strong></p><p><strong>Joshua:</strong> A degree apprenticeship is an excellent way to earn while you learn. You get to apply what you’re studying in real-time, which is incredibly valuable. It’s hard work, but the payoff is worth it. I’d advise anyone considering it to be ready for the balance of work and study, but also to embrace the opportunity to develop both academically and professionally.</p><p><strong>Alexander: </strong>Again, plain and simple, do it! It is the best way to complete a degree and hopefully acquire a job by the end of it! Again, it teaches discipline, time management and essential social skills. Although it is very different to the standard university lifestyle, it will teach you a lot more.</p><p> </p><p>Find out more about <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… Levels here</a>, and find out more about <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/course-category/apprenticeship/">Degree Apprenticeships here</a>!</p>

<p>The best way to gain a full understanding of what apprenticeships are like is to hear from our apprentices themselves!</p><p>Therefore, for this National Apprenticeship Week we got in contact with four current apprentices from different industries to find out all about their current roles.</p><p>Claudia, Lewis, Charlie and Darren all gave us a fantastic insight into life as an apprentice, find all of their answers below!</p><drupal-entity data-align="right" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="453b5060-d5ba-472b-a66d-30b75b1d18b3" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_150x150","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p> </p><p><strong>Claudia:</strong> I started my role as a Marketing Apprentice for Weston College in January 2024, so I’ve been here for over a year now! My role allows me to gain experience in an array of different areas of marketing, from digital marketing, to social media marketing, to planning and organising events and so on!</p><p> </p><p><strong>Lewis:</strong> My apprenticeship is with a company called <a href="https://www.slx.co.uk/">SLX</a> (Originaly known as Stage Electrics), and I've been working with the team for a couple of months now. For this apprenticeship, my role is a Creative Industry's Production Apprentice, which specialises in helping all around the team/departments. Some examples include maintaining equipment within the lighting department, testing/reparing cables in the power department, and fixing equipment in the engineering department.</p><drupal-entity data-align="right" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a64ac68-34af-4f93-a7f6-ff737ea3a8e4" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_150x150","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p> </p><p><strong>Charlie:</strong> I am completing a Digital Technology Degree Apprenticeship at the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence">Minist… of Defence</a>, where I am primarily focussing on a software engineering pathway. I’ve been on the apprenticeship since September 2023.</p><p> </p><p><strong>Darren: </strong>My apprenticeship at the <a href="https://www.bristolport.co.uk/">Bristol Port Company</a> has been running for 5 months and is being supplied from Weston College. Luckily, I receive all my learning and classes on site at my place of work and have monthly catch ups with my assessor to work through assignments and give any support. My role is the Mobile Plant Assistant Manager and I look after a team of 22 engineers. We service and maintain a large fleet of equipment from small vans to heavy plant up to 120 tonnes.</p><drupal-entity data-align="right" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d503e0c0-1b29-4bde-ad2f-6f0bac1ad286" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_150x150","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p> </p><p> </p><p><em><strong>What are some of the main skills you have learned during your apprenticeship so far, and how might these skills help you through your future career?</strong></em></p><p><strong>Claudia:</strong> One skill I've significantly developed during my apprenticeship is my organisational ability. At the start of my journey, I struggled with managing my workload, which affected the quality of my performance. However, by incorporating strategies like organising incoming tasks and emails, as well as creating to-do lists, I've become much more efficient at handling a heavy workload. This improvement has not only boosted my confidence but also prepared me to manage larger projects, such as events, in my future career.</p><p><strong>Lewis:</strong> I've learned the majority of the insides to a moving light and feel confident enough to diagnose if there is a problem with the unit and how I would go about fixing it. The basics of how the company flows and the process of hiring being delivered back to be prepared for the next hire. Finally, the process of preparing a kit to professional standards.</p><p><strong>Charlie:</strong> I am nearing the conclusion of my second placement within the organisation, which has provided me with ample experiences and opportunities for personal growth. Among the various skills I have acquired, effective and confident communication stands out as one of the most crucial abilities for career advancement, as it is highly valued in numerous teams and areas. Additionally, I have had significant prospects for enhancing my technical skills, both through my work and university studies. This has greatly improved my understanding and application of practical software engineering principles and cyber security concepts. Furthermore, the apprenticeship has played a pivotal role in developing my organisational, disciplined, and punctual attributes. Balancing work, education, and social life can be challenging, and achieving the correct equilibrium has honed these skills. It is important for me to continue developing and improving these skills and many others to help progress my career forwards towards leadership inclined roles.</p><p><strong>Darren:</strong> My apprenticeship is ILM which is based around leadership and management. Although I have been working in my position for some time, I have received no real training on how to support me with this role. However, the ILM apprenticeship has enabled me to learn a variety of management skills and new ways to not only manage people but also deal with conflicts. This has also given me much more confidence within my role as I am now able to use recognised models which have excellent results.</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>What type of tasks are you required to do in your current role?</strong></em></p><p><strong>Claudia:</strong> In my role, no two days are the same! Some days, I’m updating and managing courses on our websites, while on others, I’m writing press releases, arranging posts for our social medias, or even taking part in major events like Graduation and Business Awards. There is such a variety of tasks in my apprenticeship, I have the opportunity to collaborate with different team members, from Marketing Officers to Digital Marketing Managers and Videographers, taking on a plethora of experience!</p><p><strong>Lewis:</strong> The main tasks that are required for my role are operating, maintaining and servicing equipment around the warehouse. If I'm off-site working at a gig, the same rules apply for that particular setting.</p><p><strong>Charlie:</strong> In my current placement, I have been leading engagement, outreach, and support meetings for teams across the entire organisation ahead of an upcoming major policy change, for which I have been a key stakeholder in providing feedback and support in its role out. I also have considerable opportunities to self-develop, complete courses, and partake in practical work that is aligned with my career pathway.</p><p><strong>Darren: </strong>Managing staff including recruitment, organising, training, and competency. I am also required to manage assets and equipment.</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>Are there any standout successes of your apprenticeship so far? If so, please could you describe them?</strong></em></p><p><strong>Claudia: </strong>I feel incredibly fortunate to have been given the opportunity to appear on BBC Bristol Radio and share my apprenticeship experience! It was amazing to be given a platform to share the benefits of apprenticeships to the region. I also received tremendous support from the College's Marketing Team, especially considering I was contacted by the BBC just three days before the interview. Although I was stepping out of my comfort zone, it’s an experience I’m now proud of. Before my apprenticeship, I doubt I would have had the confidence to talk on the radio, but thanks to the skills I’ve developed, I’m so glad I did!</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wQuN7tB8N0A?si=2WnPPGPWXQdcCW7F" 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> </p><p><strong>Lewis: </strong>I've gone straight into the deep end, which I love. Within the first day of my apprenticeship, I was working with some of the most expensive moving lights they have and seeing all the technicalities that make up the future. On the second week, I was asked to help set up and pack down Sudley Castle for their festival of light show they do every year. My job was focusing on putting up all the P-Lighting (fairy lights) round the grounds. Only two months into my apprenticeship, and I've already had the experience of seeing the full process of an event.</p><p><strong>Charlie:</strong> I’m proud of all the work I’ve completed so far on the apprenticeship, however, in terms of stand out successes I have had multiple recognitions and rewards for the work I’ve completed. I remain grounded and eager to improve but it is positive to receive good feedback and to see that work I complete or contribute to is having a real impact.</p><p><strong>Darren:</strong> It is still very early days, but having the support from my workplace and the college and being willing to learn at an older age has opened other avenues to help me develop withing my career.</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>What support have you received during your apprenticeship?</strong></em></p><p><strong>Claudia:</strong> In the office, I never felt like a burden when asking questions. Whenever I was uncertain about something, the team always went above and beyond to guide me and ensure I understood how everything worked. I’ve also received immense support with my coursework. Given its variety, each team member has played a role in helping me succeed, and I’m especially grateful for my fantastic assessor, who always encourages me to strive to reach the best grades possible.</p><p><strong>Lewis:</strong> I've received a lot of support from my coworkers regarding the learning side of things. They are pretty open to anything I ask, even if it sounds like the silliest of things. The same goes for the people who work on the office side of things. Anything I need to answer to help with, there is more than happy to assist.</p><p><strong>Charlie: </strong>Everyone around the organisation is generally pro-apprentice, with many having been apprentices themselves before moving into full-time roles. As a result, most people across the business do tend to be supportive and helpful. I want to give a special mention and express my gratitude to the team of scheme managers in entry talent. They are always there to provide support and assistance whenever needed, and they play a consistent and crucial role throughout the entire apprenticeship journey.</p><p><strong>Darren:</strong> There has been constant support from my tutor and Weston College, and I have been able to contact through phone and email whenever I stumble across an issue and need support - they are always very quick to respond.</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>What part of your apprenticeship do enjoy the most?</strong></em></p><p><strong>Claudia: </strong>It's difficult to pinpoint just one aspect I enjoy the most, there are so many rewarding parts of my role. However, the event side of marketing stands out. I really enjoy being hands-on with events, from celebratory evenings like the Business Awards and Celebration of Success to Open Evenings and, especially, the Graduation Ceremonies. I love engaging with prospective students, showing them what the College has to offer, celebrating students' growth and achievements, and even helping set up the Ballroom for these prestigious events. It's really exciting to be part of such impactful moments.</p><p><strong>Lewis:</strong> Diving in to all the different departments and building up my knowledge. There's always something new to learn, and it's quite exciting</p><p><strong>Charlie:</strong> What I find most enjoyable about this apprenticeship is the chance to work in various areas within the defence sector. We are granted a great level of independence to seek out and initiate our own placements based on the projects and skills I am interested in developing. We also have the opportunity to not only work within the MoD but also explore opportunities to collaborate with industry partners or other government departments. This enables us to acquire and enhance skills and experiences that may not be readily available internally.</p><p><strong>Darren: </strong>I am enjoying working through each assignment and learning something new each time. The monthly assignment days and catch ups allow me to work through anything outstanding with support on hand.</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>Do you have any ideas of what you want to do after your apprenticeship?</strong></em></p><p><strong>Claudia:</strong> Since starting my apprenticeship, I feel so much more confident in what my future looks like. I’d love to continue working for Weston College but progress onto an officer role, whether that’s going onto further or higher education officer, an events officer or web officer – the variety in roles are endless!</p><p><strong>Lewis:</strong> At this time, I don't have a clear answer. I'm hoping to stay with SLX after finishing my degree if they offer me a position. If not, however, I would like to take a break from the years of hard work and spend some time travelling the world. We will see how it flows.</p><p><strong>Charlie:</strong> I don’t know exactly what area I’d like to go into after the apprenticeship, but I plan to remain in defence, go for promotions and perhaps go for a masters.</p><p><strong>Darren: </strong>After I have completed the ILM apprenticeship, I’d ideally like to achieve level 5 if the opportunity is available.</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>Would you recommend others to do an apprenticeship?</strong></em></p><p><strong>Claudia:</strong> If you’ve finished school or sixth form and feel uncertain about which career path is right for you (just like I was!), I really would advise you to explore the wide range of apprenticeships available. You’d be surprised at the variety of opportunities out there—some you might not even know exist! Apprenticeships not only help you to decide on your future career goals but also give you real-world skills and experience that you can’t get anywhere else, so why not go for it!</p><p><strong>Lewis:</strong> 100%! You are working in the industry, meeting a wide range of people and getting paid to learn.</p><p><strong>Charlie:</strong> A degree apprenticeship is absolutely worthwhile going for and I see it as the best of both university and work. Earning a very competitive full-time salary whilst also getting years of work experience and a degree puts you in an extremely positive place for going forward in your career and likely ahead of many other people of a similar age.</p><p><strong>Darren:</strong> I would highly recommend an apprenticeship. You need to be open to the idea of learning new skills regardless of age and be willing to ask for help if needed.</p><p> </p><p><em><strong>What piece of advice would you give to someone considering an apprenticeship?</strong></em></p><p><strong>Claudia:</strong> My advice to anyone considering an apprenticeship is to throw yourself in the deep end—how can you know if something isn’t for you unless you give it a fair chance? While it might feel daunting at first to join a team of experienced professionals, it’s also an incredible opportunity to learn from them. The benefits are vast: you earn while you learn, gain a valuable qualification, and are a step closer to a much more secure future. Plus, it’s your chance to prove that you can thrive in a professional environment!</p><p><strong>Lewis:</strong> As someone who has just finished a degree in music production, I left college feeling like I haven't progressed anywhere with my career. Lost of my next step in the world with no one to guide me. Taking on this apprenticeship has benefited me so much more than I would have hoped in just a short amount of time. I'm getting stuck in with everything the company has to offer, and everything is practically based, which is what I prefer. On top of that, I'm working in the industry, and that means I'm meeting a wide variety of people along the way. So, for my advice on if you should consider an apprenticeship, I believe it's the best option if you're trying to get yourself in the door to whatever career you're trying to do.</p><p><strong>Charlie:</strong> Apprenticeships can be competitive so my first advise would be to not put all your eggs in one basket. It is a longer commitment than university and can be more intensive, so make sure you are prepared for that experience, and you enjoy the area you are going into, as it will likely determine the career you progress with for the foreseeable future.</p><p><strong>Darren:</strong> Consider what you will achieve come the end of this and the recognition that will set you up to be more employable and help you develop in the workplace.</p><p> </p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/apprenticeships"><strong>To look through our current available apprenticeships, click here.</strong></a></p>

<p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Sadik Al-Hassan, Labour MP for North Somerset, visited Weston College to engage with students, offering inspiration to the next generation while gaining insights from young people on potential changes and improvements for his campaigns. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Sadik was elected in July 2024 and brings nearly two decades of experience as a pharmacist; a background that strongly influences his political interests and initiatives. </span></p><drupal-entity alt=""Sadik Al-Hassan answering a question at the Q&A"" data-align="right" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ebde2899-8818-4f6c-b51b-01a7d36e8020" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">His visit began with a Q&A session with Politics and Economics A Level students, where he shared his journey from pharmacy to politics and how this transition has shaped his campaign. This session provided learners with valuable insights into entering politics and an opportunity to discuss his views and policies. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Following the Q&A, Sadik joined Weston College Principal, Pat Jones, and Deputy Principal, Alex Warner, as part of a panel for a Dragon’s Den-style activity. Here, students from A Level Environmental Health<strong> </strong>presented innovative ideas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Weston-super-Mare. From litter-picking initiatives and improved public transport, to AI-powered waste bins and electric car vacuums, students showcased well-researched, confident, and professional proposals. The panel questioned each group before selecting a winner based on research, feasibility, and sustainability, encouraging students to consider small but impactful ways to drive change and make a difference. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Given Sadik’s extensive background in pharmacies, a tour of the Health and Active Living Skills Centre was a key part of the visit. Sadik explored the impressive Health, Social Care and Sport facilities, such as the Medical Simulation Room, and observed a Level 2 Health and Social Care lecture, where students simulated real-life patient-carer scenarios to develop empathy and practical skills. </span></p><drupal-entity alt=""Sadik Al-Hassan standing with Weston College Principal, Pat Jones"" data-align="right" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b28ca288-a6bd-48bb-a780-4cd8e1d8f2fc" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The visit concluded with a lunch meeting with Student Representatives, where discussions focused on student-led initiatives, strategies, and the changes they’ve implemented to improve Weston College based on peer feedback. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Sadik was impressed with the professionalism and insightfulness of our learners, saying, “It was wonderful to visit Weston College to meet the hardworking teams and amazing students. Having a chance to talk with them all and answer their questions was a privilege and more than a little enjoyable for me. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The entire day I met with students representing the hopes of North Somerset, whether quizzing me on assisted dying or showing me projects that could solve our climate crisis, they showed how bright our future could be.” </span></p><drupal-entity alt=""Sadik Al-Hassan participating in a Q&A with Politics and Economics A Level students"" data-align="right" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e7340711-051a-480e-9787-f45611c9f21e" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{"image_style":"max_500x500","image_link":"","image_loading":{"attribute":"lazy"}}"> </drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Overall, Sadik Al-Hassan’s visit left learners feeling inspired and empowered. His journey into politics demonstrated that career paths are not always direct and linear, encouraging students to pursue their ambitions, regardless of where they start. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">We would like to say a big thank you to Sadik Al-Hassan for taking the time to visit our students and provide meaningful advice for their future. </span></p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"> </p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"> </p><p style="margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;"><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></span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…; target="_blank"><span style="color:#37797B;font-size:inherit;"><strong>here</strong></span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"><strong>. 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> </span></p>