<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">One of our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin… Level Business and Management</u></a> students, Luke, has shone outside the classroom by being part of the<strong> Somerset Disabled Cricket Club</strong> who have just been crowned National Champions in the <strong>D40 Pursuit Title</strong> after a 3-wicket win over Middlesex at Corsham Cricket Club last month.</p><p>The final was a rain-reduced, 25-over match played at Corsham in Wiltshire. Somerset Disabled CC won the toss and elected to bowl, bowling the opposition out for 108 runs. Luke took an impressive three wickets as part of an outstanding all-round team fielding performance. Somerset then chased down the target with just two balls to spare in a nail-biting finish! This fantastic achievement even received recognition on BBC Points West Breakfast, highlighting the team’s success.</p><p>Luke has been playing cricket for 3 years for both <strong>Lympsham and Belvedere Cricket Club</strong>, and <strong>Somerset Disabled Cricket Club</strong>, during this he has been working towards the <strong>D40 Pursuit Title</strong> which is a county-level National championship for the top domestic cricket players with physical, learning disabilities or hearing loss.</p><p>Luke shared why he loves cricket, saying, “2 years ago, I had 4 operations on both my legs and feet which meant I had a lengthy recovery time of 6 months and am still continuing physio, but the thought of getting back on the field kept me going. Cricket is a sport I can play with friends and compete against able-bodied people on a level playing field which I enjoy, and I also find the statistics side of the game interesting with the aim to improve my levels year on year.”</p><p>Luke encourages anyone considering getting involved with clubs or sports outside of college to do it, “I enjoy the banter and encouragement of my teammates. It has given me lifelong connections and relationships, and being involved in a club teaches you to be part of a team and a community.”</p><p>A huge well done to Luke and the team for this incredible win, and we look forward to hearing about your future achievements in the cricket field.</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>Hello readers, my name is Tom Hart, and I am studying the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin… and Administration T level</a> at Weston College. I would love to tell you about my industry placement at <a href="https://yugo.com/en-gb/home">Yugo</a&gt; and what it involves.</p><p>My placement at <a href="https://yugo.com/en-gb/home">Yugo</a&gt; involves me working closely with the finance team, together we process payments and manage all the financial aspects of Yugo around Europe. My role specifically is to help my colleagues ensure that the finances are accurate, delivered, and received on time. I spend a lot of time using systems like Xelix, NetSuite and Excel. I use these systems to create lots of information regarding Yugo’s finances. I am also very familiar with doing the physical post, some days involved me opening over 200 pieces of physical mail.&nbsp;</p><p>All of these processes might seem small scale, but they actually help <a href="https://yugo.com/en-gb/home">Yugo</a&gt; keep their tenants organised and up to date with their payments, there are over 160,000 tenants that are apart of <a href="https://yugo.com/en-gb/home">Yugo.</a&gt; The work that I do alone helps to cover thousands of these students and makes sure that their payments get through consistently allowing them to use <a href="https://yugo.com/en-gb/home">Yugo’s</a> services.</p><p>I have been learning many different skills that can really benefit my future career, things like accuracy, which is one of the most important things that I have learned, has been key in every piece of work I do for <a href="https://yugo.com/en-gb/home">Yugo.</a&gt; Having access to all of the experience around me is a huge benefit not only because of the knowledge they hold but also because of what they can give, and it has allowed me to learn much further than I thought I would have.</p><p>After arriving at the office, my first job is creating and processing invoices, normally I cover the Spanish invoices, but I also help do the Ireland invoices. Once that is completed, I help to organise the spreadsheets that a colleague may need help with, this can allow them to work on a further task at the same time as teaching me what I am doing with all the information and what my work leads to. Occasionally, I will make a trip down to the bank to transfer some cheques, or head down to the post office to post some mail. Finally, I have also been introduced into processing money into the business, allowing me to receive payments and send money out as well. My days normally vary but this is the main jobs that I do.</p><p>I have received lots of support from both <a href="https://yugo.com/en-gb/home">Yugo</a&gt; and Weston College. <a href="https://yugo.com/en-gb/home">Yugo</a&gt; have offered me many resources and different types of support due to me working a large amount of my time at home. My colleagues also have been very friendly with teaching and showing me what to do and if I ever go wrong, the environment feels like a very level playing field where everyone is equal, no matter the title or role.</p><p>Weston College have also offered lots of support, offering to help me find another placement if <a href="https://yugo.com/en-gb/home">Yugo</a&gt; couldn’t offer me what I was looking for, as well as helping me to adapt what I have learnt with <a href="https://yugo.com/en-gb/home">Yugo.</a></p><p>Weston College have given me more than enough resources through teaching whether it involves using real world systems like excel or understanding different sectors of business. Fortunately, my finance units in college have aligned with some of the work I do at <a href="https://yugo.com/en-gb/home">Yugo,</a&gt; allowing me to learn <a href="https://yugo.com/en-gb/home">Yugo’s</a> processes quicker than I thought I would have, also allowing me to work independently more often.</p><p>Some of the skills I have learnt include accuracy, communication, and understanding real life processes. These have allowed me to improve my formality, quality of work, and how well I work in a team. These skills will be beneficial to me in the future due to me wanting to pursue a career in finance and business. I have always found it difficult when someone asks me what I want to do when I am older, but this course and the placement have really helped me decide what I want to pursue when I’m older.</p><p>A standout moment for me was when a colleague gave me a piece of work to do that, he had been stuck on for a while, he explained to me that it was a long task that was taking him weeks to finish, so he asked me to have a go to get some more progress in, he said he expected that it would take me a few weeks to complete. So, when I completed the piece of work by the end of the day, the look of shock and appreciation on his face made me realise the good feeling of doing some hard work, and because of that it will be a standout moment for me for a long time.</p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Weston College’s first- and second-year <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; students recently welcomed employees from <strong>EY</strong>, one of the world’s Big Four accountancy and professional services firms, for an insightful guest lecture exploring career opportunities in finance, with a particular focus on its <strong>Assurance</strong> service line.</p><p>EY is a multinational professional services firm offering expertise across four key areas: Assurance, Consulting, Tax, and Strategy and Transactions. Working with organisations worldwide, the firm helps build trust and confidence in the economy, businesses and financial markets.</p><p>The session gave students a valuable insight into the world of accountancy, with EY employees Grace, Greg and Marita sharing their career journeys, explaining their day-to-day responsibilities and highlighting the skills needed to succeed in the industry, including analytical thinking and attention to detail. They also explored the different career pathways available within finance, helping students understand the opportunities they could pursue after completing their studies.</p><p>Grace and Greg discussed their journeys from university degrees in Economics and Politics, and Psychology, to securing places on EY’s graduate scheme. Now in their second year of the programme, they shared their experiences of working with real clients alongside studying for professional examinations. Their journeys demonstrated that students do not necessarily need a degree directly related to accountancy to pursue a career in the sector.</p><p>Marita offered an alternative route into the profession, sharing her experience as an Audit Associate Apprentice after recently completing her T Level in Accounting. Her four-year apprenticeship combines practical experience working with clients with studying towards a professional ACA qualification with ICAEW. This gave students a first-hand understanding of how apprenticeships can provide a structured route into the industry, allowing them to gain valuable workplace experience while working towards a recognised professional qualification.</p><p>The guest lecture was particularly relevant to second-year students with an interest in finance and accounting, many of whom are considering apprenticeships or progression to higher education. It also complemented the first-year Business curriculum, where students are currently studying Business Finance and the role of the accountant. By connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences, the session helped students understand how their studies could translate into future careers.</p><p>Importantly, hearing from professionals who had taken different routes into the same industry allowed students to compare the benefits of university and apprenticeship pathways. They also had the opportunity to ask questions, gain advice on applications and recruitment, and develop a clearer understanding of what employers look for in prospective candidates.</p><p>Emma Hussey, Curriculum Co-ordinator and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; Lecturer at Weston College, said:</p><p>“Guest lectures like this offer our students valuable insight into the finance industry, helping them understand what to expect from a career in the sector and explore the range of opportunities available to them. They allow students to network, ask questions, and receive invaluable advice and guidance regarding applications and the recruitment journey, reinforcing the positive impact that engaging with industry professionals can have on students, as well as broadening their horizons and inspiring them to explore new career opportunities.”</p><p>A huge thank you to Grace, Greg and Marita for sharing their experiences and inspiring our students to explore the exciting career opportunities available within accountancy, audit and finance.</p><p>This guest lecture forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; 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/business-accounting-and-operat…;! 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>