<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last week, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</a> students took part in mock interviews with employers to provide them with valuable insight into the application process for a full-time job following college.</p><p>With employers such as the RSPCA, a local Dog Groomer, a Zookeeper, a Conservation Ranger, and a Vet Assistant, this broad range of employers prepared our students for a variety of pathways, giving them the chance to ask questions, experience a professional interview setting, and gain an understanding of the criteria and qualities employers typically look for when recruiting.</p><p>During the interviews, students came prepared with their CVs, researched into the background of the organisation, and sat down with an employer to simulate a real-life interview. This not only prepared them for future careers, but it also gave them a fantastic networking opportunity, connecting with industry professionals and learning invaluable insight from people in the industry.</p><p>Mock interviews are a fantastic way for students to build their confidence and gain an understanding of the potential questions employers could ask when applying to full-time roles in the future. It reduces anxiety, boosts confidence, and refines their communication skills through personalised and constructive feedback from professionals within a safe environment.</p><p>The feedback from the employers was fantastic, with the RSPCA Animal Care Supervisor, Verity Carley, sharing how impressed she was with all the students, saying, “The interviews with the students went really well! I could tell that the students had been preparing themselves, with many of them having researched the RSPCA by giving me quotes and statistics. I could feel the passion and enthusiasm that they had for the RSPCA which was amazing. Mock interviews like this are very valuable for the students as it is very scary going into an interview having never done one, so the fact they have this practice and our feedback for them to know what they did well and what to improve on is fantastic.”</p><p>Chris D’Agorne, former Conservation Ranger and current <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Science</a> lecturer at Weston College, said, “When I left my A Levels, I didn’t have a clue about going into the working world, and even when I left university, I still wasn’t trained in interview techniques or knew what was expected of me during that process, so for these students to be receiving these skills and practical experience of sitting down in a real interview scenario so early in their career is invaluable for their professional development.”</p><p>Also, receiving comments regarding the impressive hands-on experience our students have already received in the industry has increased their confidence and given them a deeper understanding of how their course has prepared them for a range of pathways in the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</a> industry.</p><p>A huge thank you to the employers and industry professionals for taking the time to interview our students, share your insight, and provide detailed feedback for each learner so they can apply this to future interviews.</p><p>This mock interview scenario forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</a> 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/animal-environment-and-biologi… Management</a>! 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><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">It’s T Levels Week so we want to discuss the different progression routes students can take after completing a T Level and the benefits they have on future careers.&nbsp;</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… Levels</u></a> were officially launched in September 2020 but have already proved to be an excellent pathway for many learners, allowing them to progress onto apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships, university and full-time employment. &nbsp;</p><p>T Levels are two-year qualifications for 16- to 19-year-olds designed in collaboration with employers to provide a perfect blend of classroom learning and real-world experience. They are a fantastic alternative to A Levels and apprenticeships, ensuring that learners graduate with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in their chosen fields. &nbsp;</p><p>According to the <strong>Department of Education’s Technical Education Learner Survey 2024</strong>, around <strong>72% </strong>of T Level completers agreed that their T Level had allowed them to progress into their desired field. Not only this, <strong>71%</strong> said their T Level prepared them for their current study and the workplace, and <strong>68%</strong> felt ready for their future career.&nbsp;</p><p>At Weston College, we have many examples of students who have successfully progressed from T Levels to <strong>Degree Apprenticeships</strong>. One learner, Lewis, studied the T Level Health and has just begun the new <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/paramedic-degree-apprenticeship/"><u>Para… Degree Apprenticeship</u></a> at <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><strong><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></strong></a>. Lewis said, “I’ve been a full-time carer for my mum for years, which inspired my goal to become a paramedic. The T Level Health course stood out for its blend of theoretical and practical learning, allowing me to practice my skills in a simulation room and on placements.”</p><p>Another student, Ben, studied the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve… Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction</u></a>, completing his placement at Hydrock where he was kept on as a Structural Engineer <strong>Apprentice </strong>through the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/civil-engineering-hnc/"><u>Level 4 Civil Engineering Apprenticeship</u></a> at <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>UCW</u></a&gt; due to his hard work and talent. He even revisited the current T Level Construction learners to discuss his role in the company, his progression, and his future plans to complete a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship with <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><strong><u>UCW</u></strong></a>.&nbsp;</p><p>Ho…, there have also been many instances where students have progressed from T Levels to <strong>university</strong>. One student, Katy, studied the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… Level in Education and Early Years</u></a> which provided her with hands-on experience at different primary school placements, before progressing to a degree in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/education-society-and-childhood-ba-hons/"…, Society, and Childhood</u></a> at <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><strong><u>UCW</u></strong></a>.&nbsp;</p><p>One of our current Year 2 <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…, Management and Leadership T Level</a> students, Ellie, is planning to progress to <strong>university </strong>or go down the <strong>apprenticeship </strong>route once she has completed her T Level. She said, “What drew me to the T Level is that it’s not all classroom based. You get to go to a placement in a major business and explore what it is like to work there, get stuck into tasks, and work together with new people in teams. I am currently completing my placement at Lloyds Banking Group and I am really enjoying it. It has improved my confidence and my practical knowledge of business that I may not have got solely in a classroom.”&nbsp;</p><p>T Levels provide the perfect blend of classroom and hands-on work placement. With many future opportunities desiring both a qualification and industry experience, these new qualifications allow students to apply their knowledge to a real-world setting. It develops their transferrable skills and better prepares them for their future careers by enhancing their personal and professional growth.&nbsp;</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… you are interested in exploring our T Levels, click here.</u></a></p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Recently, one of our former <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</u></a> students, Maddie, came in to deliver a guest lecture to our current <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</u></a> students, outlining the journey she took into her role and discussing the importance of experience and passion to become a professional in the industry. </p><p>Maddie completed the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… 3 Animal Management</u></a> course in 2020 but has also had many years of experience, helping in a veterinary practice at just 14 years old, before managing livestock on a farm, working in rescue kennels and then working in a veterinary hospital. She then launched her own business, <strong>Maddie’s Pawfect Pooches</strong>, in 2023 where she provides personalised dog training for clients.</p><p>Throughout her <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</u></a> course, Maddie completed a range of work experience including <strong>White House Kennels</strong> where she helped care for dogs in boarding and <strong>Court Farm</strong> where she worked in the farming industry. She said, “The benefits to completing a placement at college are endless. You gain hands-on experience with animals, but you also learn how to talk to customers and clients. Depending on what you want to go into, it can also be a great way to make connections with employers, learn more about that specific industry, and how to secure a permanent job in that role.”</p><p>“I absolutely loved the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</u></a> course. I felt it had a great element of practical as well as theory, and being able to work with the animals at Puxton Park was a great way to get the necessary hands-on experience.”</p><p>For many years, Maddie knew she wanted to start her own dog training business, therefore, after her Weston College course, Maddie completed a Level 4 Dog Training, Behaviour, and Welfare course to create a well-established business across North Somerset.</p><p>Within her business, Maddie supports dogs and their owners through tailored training sessions and solutions, specialising in rescue dogs and reactivity cases. Within these sessions, Maddie helps dogs build their confidence, overcome behavioural challenges, and help dogs feel safe and understood as well as help their owners better understand the reasons behind their behaviour and how to manage it in the future. She also creates puppy training programmes for owners to navigate and cope with the behavioural and developmental stages of a new puppy. </p><p>During her 1-to-1 training sessions, Maddie completes a behavioural assessment through observations and interactions, she then creates a training plan and educates the owner on what she has discovered regarding the dog's behaviour. To overcome the issues, Maddie completes training with the dog, this can take anywhere between a couple of sessions to a couple of months depending on the severity of the case. She then has monthly catch-up sessions with the owner and their dog to monitor any changes and check progress.</p><p>This thorough process is the foundation of her successful business and has been extremely effective and received great feedback from clients, making the waitlist for her services around 6-7 months.</p><p>“My favourite thing about owning my own business is getting to know all the dogs and clients personally. I love seeing the progression that the dogs make, from when I first meet them, they’re nervous and reactive, to then seeing them confident and emotionally balanced, it’s just so rewarding.”</p><p>Maddie is an excellent reflection of what students can achieve when they set their mind to something and put in the work. She knew what she wanted and worked hard to get it, gaining a range of different work experiences to secure a wide knowledge base of working with different animals and specialties. </p><p>A big thank you to Maddie for sharing her experiences and acting as an excellent role model for the students.</p><p>This Careers Event forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/anima… Management</u></a> 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.</p><p>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/animal-environment-and-biologi… Management</u></a>! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></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/"><u>Click here!</u></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>