<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last month, we had four Weston College students competing in the national <strong>WorldSkills</strong> competition. Maddie and Ellie competed in the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/beaut… Therapy Practitioner</u></a> Skill category, Oscar competed in the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/cours… Skills</u></a> Digital category, and Jodi competed in the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/cours… Skills</u></a> Horticulture competition.&nbsp;</p><p>WorldSkills is a fantastic competition that aims to improve the skills and development of young people across the world. It encourages our students to step outside their comfort zone and go against a range of different people to improve their confidence and ability and be a part of something they may have not previously considered.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Our students competed in a range of tasks and did a fantastic job, with Maddie placing 3rd nationally in the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/beaut… Therapy Practitioner</u></a> Skill category and Oscar getting a Highly Commended award in the Foundation Skills Digital category. This is a fantastic achievement that they should be extremely proud of. It will also improve their skills and their confidence for future careers and personal development.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Ellie and Jodie also did exceptionally well, becoming finalists in the regional competitions before progressing to the national competition. This is a huge achievement and is an excellent way to improve the students’ resilience, adaptability, and confidence. It also improves their transferrable skills such as their time-management and their problem-solving skills. They also got to meet like-minded individuals and network with professionals in the industry.&nbsp;</p><p>We recently received an email from Ellie’s parents, thanking the Hair and Beauty team for supporting Ellie throughout the competition and her studies, saying:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><em>“Ellie’s dad and I would like to thank you all so much for all the training, coaching, and time you have given Ellie in preparation for the WorldSkills 2025 finals.”</em>&nbsp;</p><p><em>“Your dedication and belief in her abilities have made an incredible impact on her journey. We are truly proud of her achievement, and her dedication to the competition was second to none. She did it for herself, but she also worked extremely hard for you.”</em>&nbsp;</p><p><em>“Thank you for being such inspiring mentors and we wish you every success in your candidates going forward.”</em>&nbsp;</p><p>As a college, we would like to say a massive well done to the students who competed, but also a huge well done and thank you to the lecturers behind-the-scenes who worked tirelessly with the students, training and supporting them to ensure they went in feeling confident and prepared.&nbsp;</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>&nbsp;</p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Learners from the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu… Level Digital Production, Design and Development</a> course recently took part in the <strong>West of England Transport Data Hackathon</strong>, a collaborative industry-led event hosted by the <strong>West of England Mayoral Combined Authority</strong> in partnership with <strong>AECOM</strong>.</p><p>The hackathon brought together students, industry professionals and researchers, giving learners a valuable opportunity to work alongside experts in the field while attempting to overcome real-world transport challenges using authentic datasets and digital tools.</p><p>Over the course of the week, learners worked in teams to address challenges linked to the region’s Integrated Micromobility Service (IMS), which manages shared e-scooters, e-bikes and e-cargo bikes across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Bath. Teams were encouraged to think creatively, explore open datasets and develop innovative digital solutions, with several choosing to design websites or applications using Python.</p><p>To conclude the week, students created a formal presentation and presented them in their Bristol offices, showcasing their solutions to a judging panel and responding to questions about their technical decisions, data insights and potential real-world impact.</p><p>Participation in the hackathon enabled learners to develop and demonstrate a broad range of skills, including programming and coding, data analysis and statistical thinking, as well as transferable skills such as collaboration, communication and critical problem-solving. Learners also gained first-hand experience of working with live transport data and addressing challenges faced by the region.</p><p>By engaging directly with real transport systems, learners enhanced their employability and gained a deeper understanding of how digital skills can be applied to encourage change. Events such as this hackathon provide invaluable insight into the industry, empowering students to build confidence, apply their classroom knowledge, and prepare for potential careers in digital and data transport solutions.</p><p>Well done to all the students involved, they presented themselves with professionalism and maturity and engaged well with industry professionals.</p><p>This curriculum project forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu… and Digital</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/computing-and-digital-technolo… and Digital</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 data-pm-slice="0 0 []">This month, The Grand Pier hosted a Cyber Security Awareness event, <strong>CSIDES</strong>, to educate individuals, students, and employers about the importance of Cyber Security and provide them with the tools to protect themselves and their organisations. Our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; students attended the event to build on their knowledge and network with professionals in the industry.&nbsp;</p><p>Cyber Security is a growing risk within the digital world and as more aspects of daily life move online, the risk of cyberattacks grows significantly. Strong cybersecurity measures help to protect sensitive data, prevent identity theft, and maintain trust in digital platforms. Without solid safeguards in place, organisations and individuals are left vulnerable to fraud and exploitation. Ultimately, cybersecurity is not just about technology but about ensuring safety and privacy in the online sphere.&nbsp;</p><p>CSIDES is the UK’s first cyber security event built by and for a coastal community. This event took place throughout the Grand Pier, with industry professionals discussing a range of approaches to cyber security, holding discussions with attendees, and hosting hands-on workshops to engage the audience and ensure they have a practical understanding of cyber security and the importance of it.&nbsp;</p><p>This event gave our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; students the chance to chat to employers, engage with workshops, and learn more about online security from professionals. They also learnt more about potential careers in cyber security, gaining a deeper understanding of what the role and responsibilities would entail, as well as the importance of this career to organisations and a society. &nbsp;</p><p>During these talks, experts discussed how to stay safe online, the common misconceptions and mistakes people make, protocols to follow, vulnerabilities online, and top tips to protect and encrypt your data. Not only this, industry professionals also discussed their personal experiences and journey into cyber security, with many of their routes being non-linear and having evolved over time.&nbsp;</p><p>Joe Abdulgani, Assistant Principal Curriculum at Weston College, said, “This event was an excellent way for students to gain a deeper understanding of cyber security and the important role it plays in securing data across organisations. Not only this, hearing from a range of industry professionals within the field was a great opportunity for students to network and explore the different progression routes they could pursue after they complete their course.”&nbsp;</p><p>Hazel McPherson, CEO of 4FOX Security experienced CISO, and the founder of CSIDES, said: “CSIDES was built to prove that coastal towns like Weston-super-Mare can lead the way in digital innovation. Seeing hundreds of students and local residents explore cyber security on the Grand Pier was a moment of pride, not just for us as organisers but for the whole community. Events like this open doors, spark careers, and show that the future of cyber can be inclusive, creative, and open to everyone, because we need to defend together.”&nbsp;</p><p>Thank you to <strong>CSIDES</strong> for welcoming our students and educating them in an engaging and interactive way.&nbsp;</p><p>This curriculum visit forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu… &amp; Digital Technologies</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. &nbsp;</p><p>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/computing-and-digital-technolo… &amp; Digital Technologies</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>&nbsp;</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>&nbsp;</p>