<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last month, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; learners kickstarted the first stages of the <strong>Lasseter’s Bar &amp; Kitchen</strong> renovations by taking apart the old benches and outdoor seating area from the front of the property which they will repurpose as part of their Social Action Project.  &nbsp;</p><p>When taking the furniture apart, learners made sure to remove any screws and nails before moving the wood to the South West Skills workshop where they will separate the usable wood ready for repurpose. They will then work together to create an assortment of Christmas decorations to be sold by the students during the weekly <strong>Wednesday Market on the Italian Gardens</strong>. All money made from these sales will then go towards the Weston College RAG Week charities: <strong>Weston Hospicecare</strong> and a second charity chosen in the upcoming months by the Student Committee ahead of RAG Week in March 2026. &nbsp;</p><p>The students also weeded the outdoor seating area, brushed the floor, and cleaned the glass panels surrounding the area. They will also be salvaging the flower beds to reuse them when Lasseter’s reopens to reduce waste. This has turned the outdoor area into a blank canvas, ready for new furniture to go in during the refurbishments. &nbsp;</p><p>Repurposing old benches into marketable products for charity offers our students a blend of personal and professional development. On a personal level, students build creativity and problem-solving skills by transforming discarded items into something functional and appealing, while also experiencing the satisfaction of contributing to their community through charitable giving. Professionally, the process cultivates resourceful thinking, project management, and teamwork skills that are highly valued in the workplace.  &nbsp;</p><p>By marketing and selling their creations, students gain hands-on experience in business operations, communication, and client engagement, which can strengthen their portfolios and career readiness. Ultimately, this Social Action initiative allows students to grow as socially conscious leaders who can balance innovation with purpose, making a meaningful impact while developing transferable skills for their future careers. &nbsp;</p><p>This project also fits in with Weston College’s sustainability values by reducing waste and upcycling materials to create products. It’s a great opportunity for students to discover new ways to repurpose furniture in fun and creative ways which also gives back to the community. This task will allow them to think creatively and innovatively but also engage with the community when selling their handmade products.  &nbsp;</p><p>Well done to our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; students for taking this opportunity in stride, handling tasks efficiently and maturely, and helping us turn creativity into community impact!&nbsp;</p><p>This initiative forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; 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/engineering-and-construction/"…;! 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></p>

<p>Last week, our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve… Level: Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction</a> learners took part in a Speed Interview Day alongside <strong>11 different construction employers</strong>. This event provided them with the invaluable opportunity to secure a <strong>placement</strong> as part of their T Level programme.</p><p>The day started with the employers each giving <strong>10-minute presentations </strong>to the learners about what their company offer, and how having a T Level placement would benefit both their business and the learner. Some examples of projects the learners could be working on for their placement included the project to <strong>restore the Grade II* Listed Birnbeck Pier,</strong> <strong>construction of Weston Airfield Primary School</strong>, and <strong>aiding the reconstruction of railway lines.</strong></p><p>The presentations provided the learners with a comprehensive understanding of what each employer could offer in terms of placement opportunities, company culture, and potential career pathways. This well-rounded insight enabled the learners to make informed decisions about which three employers aligned best with their interests and aspirations, allowing them to select the companies they were most eager to engage with during the speed interview sessions.</p><p>Following the presentations, learners participated in three speed interviews with their preferred employers. During these interviews, they tackled typical interview questions and demonstrated why they would be the perfect fit for the placements on offer.</p><p>Thank you to the following employers for coming along and giving our learners such a beneficial experience (also see what the placement learners will get up to with each business!)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ul><li><a href="https://n-somerset.gov.uk/">North Somerset Council</a> – Birnbeck Pier project management</li><li><a href="https://www.smithandbrenson.co.uk/">Smith and Brenson</a> – North Somerset Council’s contractor for the Birnbeck Pier landside</li><li><a href="https://haverstock.com/">Haverstock</a&gt; – North Somerset Council’s architect for the Birnbeck Pier lanside</li><li><a href="https://mackley.co.uk/">Mackley</a&gt; – North Somerset Council’s contractor for the Birnbeck Pier structure</li><li><a href="https://www.morgansindall.com/">Morgan Sindall</a> – North Somerset Council’s contractor for the Tropicana improvement project</li><li><a href="https://www.willmottdixon.co.uk/">Willmott Dixon</a> – constructing Weston Airfield Primary School</li><li><a href="https://www.tilburydouglas.co.uk/">Tilbury Douglas </a>- potential projects include education buildings or construction of healthcare centres</li><li><a href="https://www.kier.co.uk/">Kier Construction </a>- potential to work on projects such as new student accommodation or prison rooms</li><li><a href="https://www.beardconstruction.co.uk/">Beard Construction </a>- working on projects in Bristol</li><li><a href="https://www.dmsdrywallsystems.co.uk/">DMS Drywall Systems </a>- potential to work on new projects in the Bristol area</li><li><a href="https://griffiths.co.uk/">Griffiths</a&gt; - potential to work on the new Bus Service Improvement Plan</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Employer feedback:</strong></p><p>"Your students were amazing, and we had a great day. Thank you for having us!"</p><p>"Was a great event with another strong cohort this year. We are also happy to offer a week of work experience for the other students we interviewed on the day as they were really engaged."</p><p>"The enthusiasm and ambition of today’s students show just how bright that future can be!"</p><p>"Well done to the learners on T Levels at Weston College today. Great to see your enthusiasm for the construction industry and meet some of you in the speed interviews." &nbsp;</p><p>"Great T Level event run by Weston College this morning for the 1st yr T Level construction students. A chance to listen to presentations from all areas of the industry and then a speed interview session. Lovely to catch up with our Beard T Level student who was taking part in the morning. Thank you for our invite and the warm welcome."</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taking place during <strong>UK Construction Week</strong>, our <strong>‘T Level Day’</strong> for the 2025-2026 term will be held on <strong>Wednesday 1st October. </strong>This event provides an excellent opportunity for employers to connect with our talented T Level Construction learners, share industry insights, and inspire the next generation of construction professionals.&nbsp;</p><p>During the T Level Day, we will also be repeating the ‘Speed Interview’ session due the success from last year, as employer participation made a significant impact and enabled our learners to gain invaluable interview skills whilst gathering practical advice directly from industry professionals.</p><p>Industry involvement is key to giving learners a chance to apply for a T Level Placement, alongside gaining a real understanding of the construction sector; including career pathways, emerging technologies, and the skills needed to succeed. For more information on the speed interviews, please check out last year’s event <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news/t-level-construction-employer-engagement-… Level Day - South West Skills Campus, Weston-super-Mare</u></strong></p><p><strong>8.30am-9am: </strong>Employers to arrive/Free Parking on site</p><p><strong>8.30am:</strong> Coffee/Tea/Breakfast available, meet faculty teams</p><p><strong>9.25am: </strong>Students in</p><p><strong>9.30am:</strong> Opening from Assistant Principal</p><p><strong>09.40am:</strong> Employer Presentations (10-15 mins per business)</p><p><strong>10.40:</strong> COMFORT BREAK</p><p><strong>11.00: </strong>Employer Presentations (10-15 mins per business)</p><p><strong>12noon:</strong> COMFORT BREAK – Speed Interview Set up</p><p><strong>12.15-1.30:</strong> Speed Interviews with students (in breakout rooms)</p><p><strong>1.30pm: </strong>Lunch/Networking/Feedback</p><p><strong>2.00pm:</strong> Office</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>If you are interested in taking part in this year’s event or would like more details, please email <strong><u>employers@weston.ac.uk</u></strong></p>