In September 2020, Weston College will be one of only fifteen education providers delivering T Levels and will launch with the new Digital T Level.

The new qualification is highly anticipated, with one of the benefits being learners will spend a minimum of 45 days with a relevant employer carrying out their Industry Placement to really hone what they learn in the classroom.

Employers are recognising the potential that this new qualification can bring to their company; by building a pool of new talent, gaining support from an additional pair of hands, who can bring fresh ideas and provide them with the opportunity to mould a learner into a future employee.

Leading digital companies, Wiltshire based Zircon Software, and Somerset based Eloquent Technologies and Cardstream, have pledged their support to Weston College and the new qualification, by committing to take on Digital T Level learners for their Industry Placements for 2020.

David Owen, Managing Director at Zircon Software, said: “Industry placements are an excellent way for a business to identify future tech talent by offering a structured work placement programme.

“Key to the success of our business is building a talented workforce and we are delighted to work in partnership with Weston College to offer industry placements to students studying digital technology courses.”

These thoughts were echoed by David Ford, Managing Director of Eloquent Technologies, who said: “We had great success last year through offering industry placements to Weston College learners and we are excited to be extending the partnership into next year.

“Our placement student’s work was of such a high standard, that when he told us he was intending on taking a gap year, we hired him on a fixed term contract as he had become a critical member of our team.”

Adam Sharpe, CEO of Cardstream, added: “Industry Placements offer the opportunity to meet keen and eager potential employees, that can be developed into future leaders of your business.

“We are delighted to support Weston College, through their Digital T Level programme, from experience we know that the College develops learners of a high standard, that can support our business and who we can help further develop their talents.”

T Levels are delivered over a two-year period and provide an alternative to A Levels for 16 to 19-year-olds who would rather study work-related courses than traditional academic subjects. They provide a mix of industry-specific technical knowledge and practical skills and an industry placement of at least 45 days.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said: “We are excited to launch the Digital T Level in September, and to have endorsements from Eloquent Technologies, Cardstream and Zircon Software shows how important these qualifications are going to be for the business community.

“We have had success stories throughout the industry placement programme, and we are looking forward to this extending this into T Levels, and developing career pathways for our learners, in partnership with leading tech sector employers.”

You can find out more about the Digital T Level, by clicking below.

Students

Employers

This year’s ceremony for the UK Business Awards was held virtually for the first time, but this didn’t stop Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive at Weston College winning GOLD and being crowned ‘Leader for the Future’ for his exemplary leadership shown during COVID19 in creating #MyVirtualCollege.

His innovative strategy ensured that all the College’s provision was moved across within seven days prior to lockdown, for day one readiness, so that no one got left behind in relation to receiving an outstanding education. The speed of his response and high engagement levels by students, staff and businesses during the pandemic, was applauded by judges as a model of excellence for the UK, with 4,043 virtual teaching/support sessions delivered in the first week.

In winning GOLD, his leadership to keep education moving during lockdown, was recognised as ‘exceptional’ by the panel of judges, comprising the very best in leading business experts for the UK.

Dr Phillips was also recognised for providing impressive virtual support for the College’s 1,200 employers creating #WednesdayWorkingLunch - with topics e.g. ‘Crisis Leadership’, ‘Rebuilding for the New Normal’, and providing successful roadmaps for economic recovery/networking. Judges were also highly impressed with his voluntary COVID19 community support, e.g. PPE assistance, supporting Foodbank Friday and the vital training carried out in the early lockdown period e.g. by responding at pace to the government’s call for ex-healthcare staff/volunteers to receive essential training to assist on the front line. In this area alone, the College upskilled 176 ex staff returners/volunteers with the necessary skills, to enable extra staff to be fast tracked to provide much needed respite for exhausted NHS and social care staff.

The College under his leadership was also recognised by winning GOLD in the Wellbeing at Work Category for his equally impressive approach to tackle mental health and wellbeing through his ‘Body and Mind strategy. Prior to lockdown, mental health and wellbeing support was accelerated using highly trained staff and impressive digital capability as a Microsoft Showcase College to live stream group yoga, mindfulness, healthy exercise routines and counselling. Dr Phillips impressive investment and innovative methodology to reduce self- isolation and promote positive mental health during lockdown, for the College’s staff, students and community, was unanimously cited by judges as ‘inspirational’ and showcased as an approach that all businesses in the UK could learn from for best practice to aid recovery.

Before lockdown, three of our health and social care students were selected to compete and have the change to represent their college and country in the prestigious World skills competition.

World skills is a worldwide competition where talented students across the country compete to represent the UK in the workdskills final. In order to get there, they must first qualify in the regional heats, of which only 10 from each heat progress to the final.

Firstly, in order to represent the college in the regional heats, thirty five Health and Social Care students participated in a clinical skills/interview competition. This allowed them to showcase their clinical skills and knowledge within a fully simulated environment in our Health and Active Living Skills Centre.

The three students chosen to represent Weston College are Jordan Hurst, Emily Field and Finley Nock.

Before the national lockdown, the students were working together in the SIM room; practising clinical skills and perfecting their skills in bed making, communication and leadership skills.

For a while it was feared the competition, hosted in in Paignton, was not happening. However, we have been informed that it is now going held as a virtual competition.

Whilst we wait to hear more about the competition moving forward, the talented trio are continuing to work hard with subject area manager Sarah-Jane Lewis to upskill even further. Sarah-Jane added: “Despite operating from home, we’re still working together to prepare. In the competition they’ll be tested on their Health knowledge, clinical skills application on live patients and emergency scenario coping strategies.

“At the moment they are practicing their industry medical terminology and other industry aptitudes.

“We couldn’t be prouder of these strong and capable young professionals.”

GOOD LUCK to our amazing students

Click here to learn more about World Skills

Click here to learn more about our Health and Social Care courses