<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Our T Level learners work incredibly hard balancing their industry placements and classroom studies, but a few select students were nominated by their lecturers on Results Day for going above and beyond and exceeding expectations throughout their first year of their T Level.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">We caught up with one student, Katherine, regarding how she found her first year of Design, Surveying and Planning in Construction T Level, how she balanced her placement and studies, and what she enjoyed and found challenging.&nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Construction T Level learner Katherine&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2e989fde-f4fc-4def-8f0e-758d5bd68237" 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-left:0;margin-top:0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">During her first year, Katherine learnt many important and transferrable skills in both her placement and in the classroom, including knowledge of legislations and regulations, science building technology and construction maths, design, how to use Revit, and the commercial side to construction. This broadens her knowledge and skillset and means she’s not limited to what she works on during her placement.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Her industry placement for both first and second year is a company called VolkerLaser, where she works on the refurbishment of the Newport Transporter Bridge. Over the 2 years, Katherine will complete a total of 315 hours at her industry placement, with the remaining hours of the T Level spent in the classroom.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Out of all the skills and knowledge she acquired during the classroom section of her first year, Katherine found the Science and Building Technology part the most interesting as she “liked being challenged by the calculations in science”. Overall, however, she found that getting hands-on experience from her industry placement was the most fulfilling and engaging part to the T Level.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">However, Katherine did find some areas more challenging than others, such as the core exams and the employer set projects as these were stressful and required a lot of revision. Not only this, she also found presenting difficult, however this task benefitted her as it allowed her to create a “slightly calmer looking exterior when presenting” and develop her confidence and public speaking skills.&nbsp;</span></p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Construction T Level classroom&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="124d6010-4cbb-48c7-a4b8-5b68551e5fe5" 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-left:0;margin-top:0px;">&nbsp;</p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Any problems that Katherine faced, she felt comfortable enough to ask for help. “The staff last year were really encouraging and supportive, if I had a problem, they did their best to help”. She also found that they were very understanding of her commute from South Wales.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Katherine’s lecturers also spoke very highly of her and her performance throughout her first year of her T Level, saying “Katherine has had an extremely brilliant first year at Weston College.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">She has always produced a high standard of work and has good attendance and time keeping, despite having to take two trains to get to college from South Wales.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Her attention to detail is of a very high standard and she is not afraid to ask questions if she doesn't understand something.”&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Many students wonder how to juggle the industry placement and their classroom studies, but Katherine found it a good balance, saying “it's been interesting to see how the classroom work begins to line up with some things I've learned on site”. You get the perfect blend of practical, hands-on experience that will prepare you for work after college but also the additional knowledge and information in the classroom that you may not get taught on the job.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The facilities available at Weston College are also excellent for Katherine’s Construction T Level, “it's one of the factors that made my family and I decide that Weston College would be the best place for me to study construction”.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">When asked what she would say to someone considering a T Level, she said “I'd advise someone considering a T-Level to look into it carefully, make sure the course covers what you're interested in doing in the future.” Katherine also advised learners to make sure they consider their next steps before applying for a T Level because the curriculum is still fairly new to Further Education.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Once Katherine completes her T Level, she hopes to go onto studying civil engineering either at university or in an apprenticeship.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Good luck in your final year Katherine!&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev…; target="_blank">If you would like to study a T Level at Weston College in September, click here.</a><span style="font-size:inherit;">&nbsp;</span></p>

<p>My name is Jodine, and I study <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…, Management and Leadership</a> as a T Level at Weston College!</p><p>During my industry placement as part of my T Level at Sytner Mercedes-Benz in Weston-super-Mare, I experienced nothing but excellence. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was warmly welcomed into the Mercedes family.</p><p>This placement not only allowed me to delve into the intricacies of the automotive industry but also provided me with a profound self-discovery journey. As I shadowed various individuals within the sales and service team, I gained invaluable insights into each role and its responsibilities, enabling me to define my future career aspirations, which ultimately led to me getting an amazing job opportunity and joining the team.</p><p>The managers consistently cultivate an environment where individuals feel esteemed and acknowledged, demonstrating a commitment to approachability and supportiveness. Mercedes-Benz is a community where you seamlessly become part of the family.</p><p>The real gems of this experience were the people. They are not just colleagues; they are treasures who are always ready to lend a helping hand, brighten your day, and ensure you feel like an integral part of the family. In retrospect, the people I encountered at Sytner Mercedes-Benz were the defining factor in making my industry placement truly exceptional.</p><p>I have cultivated a diverse skill set integral to the field of business management. My experiences have honed my commercial awareness, refined my communication skills, bolstered my self-confidence, and heightened my emotional intelligence.</p><p>I have demonstrated initiative, excelled in information retention, and showcased problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and analytical prowess. Moreover, my resilience and adaptability have been tested and proven, complemented by strong social skills, adept teamwork, and proficient listening capabilities. This comprehensive skill set positions me as a valuable asset in the realm of business management.</p><p>My placement at Mercedes-Benz has proven to be instrumental in enhancing my academic pursuits in business management. Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, I have honed my communication skills, cultivated a nuanced understanding of customer service and complaint resolution, and observed first-hand the dynamics of managerial and team meetings.</p><p>Additionally, the experience has been invaluable in advancing my IT proficiency, providing exposure to sales and aftersales processes, fostering teamwork strategies, and refining problem-solving methodologies. I have been able to see how managers put the methods, tools, and skills I have learned in my business management course into practice with the employees. The challenges encountered during the placement have fortified my resilience, contributing to a comprehensive and enriched learning journey that seamlessly complements my academic curriculum.</p><p>Following the completion of this industry placement, I am thrilled to have been offered employment at Sytner Mercedes-Benz! I am excited to start my career, and would recommend taking the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/busin…, Management and Leadership T Level</a> because the work experience element of the course can open many doors.</p><p>Thank you for reading!</p><p><strong>Sytner Mercedes-Benz Weston-super-Mare:</strong></p><p><em>“Since starting Jodine has been brilliant, engaged, welcoming to customers and we have already had comments from customers on how helpful she is”</em></p><p><em>“Jodine has been excellent and her presentation that she presented to the management team was exceptional, well thought out and she used the time she had here to record a huge amount of information whilst working in each department. This led to a really good understanding of how our business operated.”</em></p>

<p>There has been great success this year for our Engineering <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/t-lev… Level</a> Learners who have all completed their Industry Placements! Our employers are essential to the development of our learners, and we are extremely grateful for their help in driving the future workforce within the engineering world.</p><p>The industry placements have led to some learners being offered apprenticeships and employment opportunities, massively helping learners with the transition into working life following their studies.</p><p>Here is what Rotamec’s Paul Korb - Health and Safety, Compliance and Sustainability Manager had to say about taking on Industry Placement learners:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><em><strong>“The placement not only benefits the student during their experience with us, but it further allows the business to assess and find the ideal candidate who wishes to pursue a career in our industry. It allows us to ‘try before we buy’ and we will offer an apprenticeship at the completion of their course.</strong></em></p><p><em><strong>Not only does this benefit the business, but it also allows the student to sample our business and decide if this is a career path they wish to pursue.</strong></em></p><p><em><strong>Every student that attends our business, could be the future engineer for our industry. They could also be the next supervisor, foreman, or manager. If the student has the attitude for the job, we will assist the student to develop their skills and development. The students assist with the day to day running of the business and has really had a positive impact.”</strong></em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>A big thank you to all of the following employers for providing our engineering learners with placements and giving them the invaluable experience of working in industry:</p><p><a href="https://rotamec.com/"><strong>Rotamec</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://cfms.org.uk/"><strong>CFMS</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.cornelsen.co.uk/best-thermal-remediation-pfas-water-treatme… href="https://www.dansengineering.co.uk/"><strong>Dans Engineering</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://mseis.com/"><strong>MSeis</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://dirtdriver.co.uk/about/index.htm"><strong>Dirt Driver</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.sysconltd.co.uk/"><strong>Syscon</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.naval-technology.com/contractors/simulators/l-3-mapps/"><st… Mapps</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.starlingcycles.com/"><strong>Starling Cycles</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.suez.com/en/uk"><strong>Suez</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.sigmaaluminium.co.uk/"><strong>Sigma Aluminium</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://nickel-electro.com/"><strong>Nickell-Electro</strong></a></p><p… href="https://haleyengineering.co.uk/"><strong>Will Haley Engineering</strong></a></p><p><a href="https://www.bristolport.co.uk/"><strong>Bristol Port Company</strong></a></p><p><strong>AIM</strong></p><p><strong>Plant Ex Machinery</strong></p><p><strong>RJ MotorSPorts</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>If you would like to enquire about hosting a work placement student within your workplace, please contact <strong>emma.nicholls@weston.ac.uk</strong>.</p>