<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last week, former T Level Construction student, Ben, visited our current Year 1 and Year 2 <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve…, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level</u></a> students to discuss his journey from Weston College into his current position as a Structural Technician Apprentice at <strong>Stantec</strong>. &nbsp;</p><p>The <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve…, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level</u></a> is a very hands-on qualification, giving students the opportunity to work with employers and develop their skills and knowledge in a practical setting. They work 315 hours with an employer, gaining invaluable feedback and assistance from industry professionals, as well as responsibilities within their roles which will build their abilities and confidence. &nbsp;</p><p>Ben completed the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve…, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level</u></a> in 2023 where he excelled within his industry placement at Hydrock. He impressed them with his knowledge and maturity and offered him a full-time Apprenticeship role with them upon the successful completion of his T Level.  &nbsp;</p><p>The college also recognised Ben’s dedication and hard work inside and outside the college by awarding him the Construction Profession Trades Student of the Year Award during Weston College’s Celebration of Success in 2024.  &nbsp;</p><p>After he completed his T Level with a Distinction, Ben accepted the role at <strong>Hydrock</strong> and worked alongside completing his <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/civil-engineering-hnc/"><u>Level 4 Civil Engineering HNC</u></a> course at <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></a>. This was a great opportunity for him to deepen his knowledge and gain a higher qualification in the field. After completing the Level 4 course, Ben plans to progress to the Level 6 Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship. This will make him a highly qualified engineer with an in-depth technical understanding of the field. </p><p>During his guest lecture, Ben discussed his current role at <strong>Stantec</strong>, previously known as Hydrock, as a Structural Engineering Apprentice and the responsibilities it entails, including the designs and models he creates, the coordination required with different teams, and the processes he must go through to create a finalised design.  &nbsp;</p><p>Within his role, Ben has gained a vast amount of experience, giving him the chance to work closely with clients and work on large projects in the community. This not only builds his confidence and his skills, but it also builds his portfolio due to the number of building designs sent off with his name on.  &nbsp;</p><p>However, the more challenging aspects of the job include trying to find a compromise between different teams who may prioritise different aspects of a design. For example, working with contractors, engineers, and architects can be difficult as each area specialises in different things and often want contradicting changes made. These challenges, however, improve Ben’s adaptability and allow him to think practically and overcome issues with alternate solutions that suit all parties. &nbsp;</p><p>Ben shared his advice on T Level placements, saying, “You must apply yourself and if they like you and you work hard, you have a better chance of securing a permanent role. There’s never a guarantee, but if you’re willing to learn and have a positive attitude towards the job then you have a much better chance of building a relationship.” &nbsp;</p><p>“The T Level helped me gain a good level of understanding for what a role in the industry would entail. I learnt the basics of how to use the software in my T Level, and the knowledge I learnt massively helped me lay the foundation for my current role.” &nbsp;</p><p>Ben is an excellent example of what students can achieve when they work hard, apply themselves and have passion for a subject. He had a positive work ethic and attitude towards his role which reflected his commitment to his future. &nbsp;</p><p>A big thank you to Ben for sharing his experiences with our students and showing them what they can achieve if they work hard. &nbsp;</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/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>&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 []">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>