<p>Weston College students studying the T Level in <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve…, Surveying and Planning for Construction</a> recently went behind the scenes at <a href="https://n-somerset.gov.uk/">North Somerset Council’s</a> Birnbeck Pier restoration project, gaining a unique insight into one of the country’s most significant heritage regeneration schemes.</p><p>The visit, as part of our partnership with North Somerset Council on the project, provided learners with the opportunity to explore the live construction site. They also heard directly from the industry professionals leading the restoration works, contractors <a href="https://mackley.co.uk/">Mackley</a&gt; and <a href="https://www.smithandbrenson.co.uk/">Smith and Brenson</a>. Two of the students, Finton and Ashton, are currently completing their industry placements on the project as part of their T Level qualification.</p><p>During the visit, students were guided around the site by the contractors, who delivered detailed tours showcasing both the marine engineering and landside elements of the restoration programme. Learners were able to see first-hand the scale and complexity of the works taking place to preserve the historic pier for future generations.</p><p>A particular highlight of the day was witnessing a <strong>400-tonne jack-up barge</strong> being manoeuvred into position next to the pier bridge, following its transportation from Newport Docks. The operation gave students a rare opportunity to observe specialist marine construction activity up close.</p><p><strong>BBC Points West</strong> were also in attendance on site to film the project and interview students Finton and Ashton, alongside Construction Professions lecturer Daniel, about the value of industry placements and the importance of hands-on learning within construction education.</p><p>The site visit formed as part of Weston College’s continued commitment to providing students with meaningful employer engagement opportunities that complement their classroom studies and prepare them for careers within the construction industry.</p><p>Councillor Mark Canniford, North Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member responsible for the Birnbeck Pier project, said: <em>“We’re keen to get as many people involved with the project as possible through our comprehensive community engagement plan, made possible thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Thanks to Weston College for their willingness to work with us to create opportunities like these which help local young people to access rewarding careers in construction.”</em></p><p>Councillor Catherine Gibbons, Deputy Leader of North Somerset Council and Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Families, Skills and Lifelong Learning, added: <em>“Industry placements are a key feature of T-Levels, offering students invaluable experience in their chosen fields and equipping them with the skills they need for future careers. What a great opportunity for these local young people to learn on site at such an interesting heritage project of national importance. I’m pleased to see the council continuing to partner with Weston College as part of our wider strategy to ensure that our children and young people are given opportunity to thrive.”</em></p><p>Weston College would like to thank <strong>North Somerset Council</strong> for arranging the visit, as well as <strong>Mackley</strong> and <strong>Smith and Brenson</strong> for hosting the tours and sharing their expertise with students.</p><p data-pm-slice="0 0 []"><strong>This project forms part of the </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… Professions</strong></a><strong> 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;</strong></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>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Two of Weston College’s Construction Professions students are gaining invaluable real-world experience through their involvement in the project to restore <strong>Birnbeck Pier</strong> in Weston-super-Mare. Through our strong partnership with <a href="https://n-somerset.gov.uk/">North Somerset Council</a> and leading industry contractors, these learners have secured exciting opportunities to contribute to this landmark scheme as part of their 315-hour industry placement.</p><p>Students studying the T-Level in <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve…, Surveying and Planning for Construction</a> benefit from a blend of classroom learning and practical, on-site experience. At Birnbeck Pier, this includes guided technical site walks and the chance to engage directly with experienced construction professionals, helping to bring their studies to life.</p><p>Following a competitive selection process, two of our students were chosen to undertake extended placements with the council’s appointed contractors. These placements form a core part of the T-Level qualification, and are essential in equipping learners with the technical knowledge and industry experience needed to launch successful careers in construction.</p><p>One of our students, Fin, joined the project in mid-December after being appointed by Bristol-based contractors <strong>Smith and Brenson, </strong>who are delivering the landside phase of the development. Over the past four months, Fin has become an integral part of the on-site team, gaining experience in both site operations and project coordination.</p><p>Our second student, Ashton, recently began their placement with <strong>Mackley,</strong> a specialist civil engineering contractor leading the restoration of the Grade II* listed pier structure. This work offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a complex marine and heritage project of national significance.</p><p>Finton said:<em> “I’ve learnt a great deal since starting my placement. The hands-on work I’ve done has been very helpful as it’s given me a strong understanding of the project and the challenges that come with it. Working in the site office and joining project meetings has been especially beneficial for my college course as it’s allowed me to see the different roles people take on within projects and how they contribute to the overall outcome. This is also helping me to develop a clearer understanding of what I might like to do in my future career and the different options available to me."</em></p><p>Ashton said:<em> “I’m gaining real hands-on experience alongside classroom learning, which makes everything feel more relevant and exciting. It’s helped me build confidence in my skills and given me a clear path towards a future career in the industry. Considering how important the pier is historically, it’s great to be playing a small role in its restoration. It closed before I was born, so I’m looking forward to being able to access it for the first time once work is complete.”</em></p><p>Daniel Comerford, Lecturer in Construction Professions, said: <em>“We are extremely grateful to North Somerset Council and their contractors - Smith and Brenson, and Mackley - in allowing two of our learners the opportunity to work on the Birnbeck Pier project. This will allow them to put into practice the skills that we teach them in college, to a real-life, complex project, which in turn will increase their learning and understanding of the complexities of the construction industry.”</em></p><p>We are incredibly grateful to <strong>North Somerset Council </strong>and their contractors, <strong>Smith and Brenson </strong>and<strong> Mackley, </strong>for their ongoing support in providing these placements. Collaborations like this are key to creating meaningful career pathways for our students and supporting the development of the next generation of construction professionals.</p><p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">This project forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… Professions</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><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 []">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>