<p>New <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve…, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level</a> learners recently enjoyed an interesting and informative presentation from Kimberly Chikonobaya, an Apprentice Engineer currently working for <a href="https://www.gallifordtry.co.uk/">Galliford Try</a> on the <strong>Banwell Bypass Project.</strong></p><p>Kimberly, who is a former <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve…, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level</a> learner at Weston College, returned to share an insight into her experiences working in the construction industry. Her presentation formed part of the <strong>‘Day in the Life of a…’</strong> series of guest speakers, which gives learners the opportunity to hear directly from professionals working in a range of roles across the construction industry.</p><p>As part of the session, Kimberly talked learners through a typical day in her role as an Engineer, providing an insight into the responsibilities involved in working on a major infrastructure project. She also spoke openly about her experiences so far, including being one of the youngest members of the site team and one of only a small number of women working on the project.</p><p>Kimberly explained how much she is enjoying her role and highlighted how the practical skills and knowledge she developed during her T Level continue to support her in her day-to-day work. She also discussed the opportunities available within the construction industry and encouraged learners to consider the different career paths they could pursue.</p><p>Alongside her work with Galliford Try, Kimberly continues to develop her skills and knowledge, returning to Weston College and UCW one day a week to study her <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/civil-engineering-hnc/">Level 4 HNC in Civil Engineering.</a></p><p>Construction Professions Lecturer, Daniel Comerford, would like to thank Kimberly for taking the time to return to Weston College – particularly on her birthday – to share her experiences and encourage the next generation of construction professionals as they take their first steps into the industry.</p><p>This Guest Lecture forms part of the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… Professions</a> <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Careers Excellence Hub</a>. 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><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 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>The new <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 at Weston College were recently visited by two members of staff from the <a href="https://www.mdgroup.co.uk/">MD Group</a>, one of whom was a former Quantity Surveying learner at the College.</p><p>Shayna and Chrissa delivered an informative and engaging CV workshop for the learners, sharing their knowledge and experience of what employers look for when reviewing CVs. The session provided the learners with useful ideas and suggestions around CV writing, including how to structure and present their skills and experience effectively to ensure their CV stands out to potential employers.</p><p>The importance of tailoring a CV to the job role was also discussed, helping learners to understand how they can demonstrate their suitability for different opportunities within the construction industry. Shayna and Chrissa also highlighted the importance of cover letters and how these can be used alongside a CV to showcase a learner's enthusiasm, skills and interest in a particular employer or role.</p><p>The skills and knowledge gained from the session will prove invaluable to the learners as they prepare to begin applying for their Industry Placements. This will be particularly useful as the students will be taking part in an <strong>Employer Speed Interview Event</strong> being held at Weston College on 30th September, where they will have the opportunity to meet with employers and explore potential placement opportunities.</p><p>The session also provided learners with an insight into the recruitment process from an employer's perspective, helping them to better understand what businesses are looking for when considering candidates for a role.</p><p>One of the learners commented: <em>“Knowing how employers react to CVs was a very useful and interesting fact.”</em></p><p>Construction Professions Lecturer, Daniel Comerford, would like to extend his thanks to Shayna and Chrissa from the MD Group for taking the time to prepare and deliver the session and for giving up their time to come into Weston College to support the learners as they take their first steps towards a career in the construction industry.</p><p>Sessions such as this provide our learners with valuable industry insight and practical skills, helping them to feel more confident as they prepare to enter the workplace and begin building their future careers.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>We are delighted to celebrate the achievements of our <strong>T Level </strong><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…; and <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; </strong>learners who have successfully completed their industry placements with <a href="https://www.lloydsbank.com/"><strong>Lloyds Banking Group</strong></a><strong>.</strong></p><p>Eight Business learners and three Digital learners spent the summer on placement, gaining valuable experience within the Bristol hub and at the branch of Lloyds Bank in Weston-super-Mare. Throughout their placements, learners integrated into a variety of teams across the business, working on real-life projects and developing industry-relevant skills.</p><p>Their work has included <strong>supporting data analytics projects,</strong> <strong>contributing to software development and testing</strong>, and <strong>collaborating with colleagues on a range of business initiatives</strong> as well as <strong>customer service roles</strong> within the branch of Lloyds Bank. These hands-on experiences have provided learners with an excellent opportunity to apply their classroom learning in a professional environment.</p><p>Our learners have particularly excelled in developing their professional skills, demonstrating strong communication, teamwork and problem-solving abilities while working alongside experienced colleagues. They have contributed to projects involving customer insight, business planning, process improvement and stakeholder engagement, gaining a deeper understanding of how a major financial organisation operates. Their professionalism, enthusiasm and willingness to take on new challenges have been praised by placement managers, helping them build confidence and prepare for future careers in the industry.</p><p>Many of the learners will now progress to assessment days, where they will have the opportunity to be considered for future employment and apprenticeship opportunities within Lloyds Banking Group.</p><p>We would like to extend our sincere thanks to <a href="https://www.lloydsbank.com/">Lloyds Banking Group</a> for providing such a fantastic experience and for investing in the development of our learners. We are proud of everything our students have achieved and look forward to seeing future cohorts embark on the same exciting journey with Lloyds.</p><p>Abbie Hannaby, Careers and Employability Co-ordinator, said <em>"Congratulations to all involved on this fantastic achievement. The dedication, resilience and professionalism shown by our learners throughout their placements have been outstanding, and they should be incredibly proud of everything they have accomplished. We look forward to following their future successes as they continue their educational and professional journeys."</em></p>