<p>Max and Kieran, two <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan… Construction</a> students from Weston College, recently demonstrated their skill and professionalism at the <strong>South West Skills (SWS) Challenge Construction</strong> event held at <strong>Yeovil College</strong>. Competing against learners from other local colleges, the pair were set the demanding task of building a stretcher bond wall featuring a 90-degree herringbone pattern with recessed joints—an intricate challenge that tested precision, speed, and skills.</p><p>Although only first and second place were awarded prizes, Max and Kieran narrowly missed out, with judges remarking on how close the competition was. Remarkably, they completed the task in just four hours which was an hour ahead of the allotted five-hour limit. This showcased their excellent time management and efficiency under pressure.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Student and lecturer standing next to his final brickwork competition submission&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5c3219f6-e084-4744-994e-761529eadea2" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The <strong>SWS Challenge series</strong>, newly introduced this academic year, covers a range of subject areas and aims to enhance technical abilities and build students’ confidence for future employment and competitions. Events like these are crucial in helping students apply their classroom learning to real-world application. They provide a platform for learners to develop key transferable skills such as problem-solving, organisation, and communication in a high-pressure, hands-on environment.</p><p>Max and Kieran’s performance was applauded not only for the quality of their work but also for their professionalism and attitude. Christie Ross and Duncan Edwards, two of our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan… Construction</a> lecturers and their personal tutors, accompanied them to the event and expressed how proud they were of how Max and Kieran held themselves throughout the day.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Student and lecturer standing next to his final brickwork competition submission&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0d132b05-3d55-4820-9600-4144181c1208" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Christie shared, “I was told by the brickwork staff there they were an absolute credit to Weston College—and they were! They went in, had fun with it, and represented Weston College perfectly. Hopefully next year, when we host the competition, we will get some points for the home team!"</p><p>Beyond the technical experience, the competition offered the students valuable opportunities to network with industry professionals serving as judges, who provided constructive feedback to assist in their continued development. It also gave them the chance to connect with peers who share similar interests and aspirations in construction.</p><p>After college, both Max and Kieran are set to begin apprenticeships in September with <strong>Dan Findlay Construction Ltd</strong>., working on <strong>Persimmon sites</strong>. Their experience at the SWS Challenge has made them more prepared for the next step in their careers. They walked away not only with new skills and insights, but with a few souvenirs and a memorable experience that will shape their personal and professional journey.</p><p>Well done to Max and Kieran for their hard work and their professionalism, you did Weston College proud!</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… you’re interested in applying to one of our Construction courses, click here.</a></p>

<p>Weston College learner, Gracie Donaghy, recently won the <a href="https://www.sparks-magazine.co.uk/sparks-female-skills-competition-2025… Female Skills Competition 2025</strong></a>! This intense competition challenges participants to complete a live electrical installation from start to finish, testing their knowledge, accuracy, and time management under pressure.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Gracie standing between two SPARKS Professionals holding two large cheques&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d1cd8ad7-51af-4a30-b662-07f3f3cd63bf" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Gracie is currently in her third year of an <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/apprenticeships/electrical-co… Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Installation Apprenticeship</a> with Wessex Water. This apprenticeship has allowed her to develop skills in installing and testing cabling systems, containment, and a range of electrical components.</p><p>Gracie secured her place in the final of the competition after impressing the judges during the South Regional Heats and achieving first-place. Her precision and skill were demonstrated throughout both competitions, gaining recognition from her peers and competitors as well as the judges for her excellent accuracy, time-management and attention to detail.</p><p>Having taken part in the competition last year, Gracie came into this year’s event with a clear goal to beat her previous performance. She dedicated time to practicing installations that she felt less confident with, including lighting circuits and unfamiliar wiring setups.</p><p>After winning the South Regional Heats and securing her place in the final, Gracie added, “During the competition, I felt very nervous as I wanted to do well and demonstrate my best work. After the competition, I felt very proud of the work I had completed. I performed better than I did last year and that was my main aim.”</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Gracie using a screwdriver to secure her electrical installation at the competition&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="113e8e26-ea84-4d56-9acb-7dba27e8c741" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Not only did Gracie show massive improvements from last year’s competition, but she also did herself and Weston College extremely proud. Gracie was stunned when she not only received the amazing title of <strong>SPARKS Female Skills Winner 2025</strong>, but she also got a range of tools and goodies and a fantastic cash prize to put towards her future.</p><p>The <strong>SPARKS Female Skills Competition</strong> is a great way for young females from all over the country to show their skills and compete with likeminded individuals. Competitions like these encourage future generations to take up trades courses and break down stereotypes in largely male-dominated subject areas.</p><p>Gracie also highlighted the fantastic benefits to the competition, saying, “it gives you a chance to meet others going through the same journey, and to push yourself to see what you can achieve under time constraints.”</p><p>Andy Fisher, one of our Electrotechnical Lecturers, has worked closely with Gracie throughout her time at Weston College, saying "Gracie is an exceptional student who works extremely hard in every task she completes. Her place in the final reflects the quality of work she produces. She is always millimetre perfect and very tidy with her installations and has always been such a pleasure to teach.</p><p>"As a lecturer, it’s an amazing competition to get the chance to attend with them and you can tell it means a lot to them too. Not only this, it’s also a phenomenal thing to put on their CV and Gracie has gone above and beyond with her achievement!"</p><p>Well done to all of the students who took part, and a massive well done to Gracie for this fantastic achievement and for representing the college with an amazing display of professionalism and maturity throughout both competitions!</p><p>If you would like to find out more about our Electrical Installation courses, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan… here</a>.</p><p>If you are interested in apprenticeship opportunities, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/apprenticeships?utm_source=ma… here</a>.</p>

<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">A group of Year 2 </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">BTEC Civil Engineering</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> learners recently visited <strong>Beard Construction Ltd</strong>’s site at the <strong>Bristol Zoo Project</strong> in North Bristol. The visit was part of the national <strong>“Open Doors” initiative</strong>, organised by <strong>Build UK</strong>, which offers students and members of the public a chance to explore live construction sites and discover the diverse career opportunities within the industry. The event was arranged by Bev Parfitt, the Social Value Co-Ordinator at <strong>Beard Construction</strong>.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The visit began with a Health and Safety briefing at the site offices, followed by an overview of the £9.2 million project, delivered by Beard’s site management team. The project involves the construction of a new Central African Forest habitat at the Bristol Zoo Project, which will bring together critically endangered Western lowland gorillas and endangered cherry-crowned mangabeys for the first time in a UK zoo.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Learners were then taken on a guided tour of the site, where they observed key stages of the construction process. Highlights included the installation of pre-cast concrete retaining walls, steel frame installation, and roof construction. The group also took note of the foundation construction methods as these closely aligned with topics currently being covered in their coursework.</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;A learner being shown the levelling of concrete walls&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0fe02ed4-334c-4448-a1fd-eab1dc3ae4eb" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Students also witnessed the lifting and placement of a concrete unit, learning how these elements are installed with precision to ensure they meet the required tolerances and remain level. This gave them valuable insight into the practical application of engineering principles.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The students also loved seeing some of the zoo’s animals, including red pandas and giraffes, observing the construction activity.</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;A red panda poking through trees&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8c1cdb4a-d784-4c8b-829f-ababf80c5fa4" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;A giraffe poking between 2 trees&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2fb41cfa-045e-49a2-bc53-0aa21d8fffc2" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The project is expected to be completed by late summer 2025 and handed over to the client. Daniel Comerford, </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Construction</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> Professions Lecturer at Weston College, commented, “The learners and staff found the visit very interesting and exciting. It was inspiring to see such a complex construction project being carried out to such a high standard. It was also a great opportunity for students to connect their classroom learning with real-world construction practice.”</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">A big thank you to the <strong>Beard Construction</strong> site team for their time and insight. We look forward to future opportunities to collaborate and provide learners with more hands-on experiences in the construction industry.</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-top:16px;"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; target="_blank"><span style="font-size:inherit;">If you’re interested in applying to one of our Construction courses, click here.</span></a></p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;margin-top:16px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:16px;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&nbsp;</strong></span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…; target="_blank"><span style="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>