Welcome to the February Edition of the Careers and Employability Team Blog! 

A Fantastic Year for UCAS Applications at Weston College

This week marks an exciting milestone for our learners - the UCAS deadline has officially passed, and we’re proud to share that Weston College submitted an impressive 442 university applications before the 6pm deadline on Wednesday. A huge well done to all students who worked so hard on their personal statements, course choices, and applications. It’s a fantastic achievement and a real reflection of your ambition and commitment to your future careers. A big thanks to our UCAS advisor Carys Gyatt who worked diligently until 6pm on Wednesday to get them all submitted.

What Happens Next?

With applications now safely submitted, students move into the waiting stage — often the most nerve-wracking- part of the process! Universities can respond at any time, and some may get in touch sooner than others. Offers may include:

• Unconditional offers
• Conditional offers (based on grades or other entry requirements)
• Interview invitations, depending on the course
• Rejections, though we hope these are few and far between

Every university works to its own timeline, and response times can vary widely between courses and institutions. Some offers may arrive in the next few days, while others may not come until spring.

Key Date to Remember: 13th May

By 13th May, students will know whether they have been accepted into their chosen universities.

This gives learners plenty of time to prepare for their next steps, whether that’s confirming their firm and insurance choices, exploring accommodation options, or considering alternative plans through UCAS Extra or Clearing if needed.

A Message to Our Applicants

To every student who submitted an application: you’ve done the hard part. You’ve shown dedication, resilience, and ambition - qualities that will serve you well at university and beyond.

While waiting can feel stressful, remember that this is also a time to feel proud. No matter the outcome, you have taken an important step toward shaping your future.

The Careers and Employability Team will continue to be here to support you with:

• Understanding your offers
• Preparing for interviews
• Exploring alternatives if your plans change
• Getting ready for university life

If you need guidance at any stage, please reach out - we’re always happy to help.

Congratulations again to all 442 applicants! Here’s to an exciting few months ahead as your offers begin to roll in.

National Apprenticeship Week 2026: Why It Matters for Your Future

National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is back from 9–15 February 2026, and it’s the perfect chance for you - as a college student - to explore real opportunities that could shape your next steps. This year’s theme, “Skills for Life” highlights how apprenticeships help you build practical, career‑ready skills that stay with you long after you finish your training. 

Whether you already know the industry you want to work in or you’re still exploring your options, NAW gives you a unique opportunity to connect with employers, hear real stories from apprentices, and discover routes that combine earning with learning.

What’s Happening During the Week?

Across the UK, organisations will be running a mix of virtual and in‑person events—from employer Q&As to workshops, skills sessions, careers fairs, and interactive demonstrations showing what different apprentices do day‑to‑day. 

Institutions, including universities, colleges, and employers, will also be spotlighting the impact of apprenticeships across sectors like engineering, healthcare, tech, and business.

At Weston College we’ll be celebrating T Level Thursday, and our Weekly Career Drop-ins will be taking place as usual across the campuses. If you have any questions or queries regarding apprenticeships, you can book a 1:1 with a member of our team. You can also email us at CET@weston.ac.uk or scan the QR code below to book an appointment.

Why Should College Students Care?

1. Earn While You Learn Apprenticeships let you gain industry‑recognised qualifications without the traditional university route—and with a salary from day one.
2. Real Experience Employers Want You’ll build skills that employers say they urgently need, helping you stand out in a competitive job market. The 2026 theme “Skills for Life” reflects exactly this.
3. Pathways for Every Background There are opportunities across every major industry—from digital and engineering to care, environmental science, creative fields, and more. Many employers use NAW to showcase new roles, success stories, and application tips.

How You Can Get Involved

• Join an online webinar or careers fair
• Speak to current apprentices and employers during live Q&As.
• Explore the NAW events map and see what’s happening near you or online. [nationalap...week.co.uk]
• Use the week to research pathways, draft applications, or meet your careers team for support.

Final Thoughts

National Apprenticeship Week isn’t just a celebration - it’s your chance to discover a future career pathway that fits your strengths, ambitions, and learning style. If you’re curious about apprenticeships, make the most of this week. You could uncover an opportunity that leads directly into a rewarding and meaningful career.  

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we also recognise all the amazing work our learners do whilst on their T Level qualification. T Level Thursday is a chance to celebrate student success, highlight employer partnerships, and showcase how T Levels are shaping the future workforce.

Whether you’re a student exploring your next steps, an employer thinking about talent pipelines, or a parent or educator supporting young people, T Levels are creating real opportunities – and real outcomes.

What Are T Levels?

T Levels are two-year technical qualifications, equivalent to three A levels, designed in collaboration with employers to meet industry needs. They combine:

• High-quality classroom learning
• Industry-relevant technical skills
• A substantial industry placement of at least 45 days

This blend ensures that students don’t just learn about an industry – they experience it.

Why T Levels Matter in 2026

As industries continue to evolve, employers are increasingly looking for young people who are work-ready, confident, and skilled. T Levels respond directly to this demand by:

• Teaching up-to-date technical knowledge
• Embedding employability skills such as teamwork, communication and problem-solving
• Giving students real workplace experience before they progress

In 2026, with more pathways established and employer awareness growing, T Levels are becoming a core part of the skills landscape.

Celebrating Success: Digital T Level Learners Complete Industry Placements with TitanRoc

We’re incredibly proud to celebrate six Digital T Level learners who are about to complete their industry placements with the innovative gaming company TitanRoc. Since Summer 2025, these learners have been actively involved in QA testing an upcoming game, contributing real value to the development process while gaining first-hand experience in the fast-paced gaming industry.

Their dedication, enthusiasm, and professionalism have not only supported TitanRoc during a crucial phase of production but also helped shape their own technical and professional growth.

Throughout their time with TitanRoc, the learners have developed a strong portfolio of skills, including:

• Quality Assurance (QA) testing techniques – including bug identification, replication, and reporting
• Critical thinking to identify inconsistencies and gameplay issues
• Analytical review of game performance and user experience
• Logical troubleshooting to determine causes of bugs or irregularities
• Communication skills through structured bug reporting and daily team interactions
• Collaboration within a professional development team, working alongside designers, programmers, and producers
• Time management and task prioritisation within an active development cycle
• Attention to detail when checking for visual, audio, and gameplay accuracy

This experience has offered our learners a unique opportunity to participate in a real-world gaming project, and their contributions have been invaluable. We are excited to see where their talent and passion take them next - whether deeper into the gaming industry or into broader digital and tech pathways.

A huge congratulations to all six learners for their hard work, commitment, and achievements!  

Key Dates: 

9th February to 15th February 2026 - National Apprenticeship Week

12th February 2026 - T Level Thursday

5th February 2026 - Apprenticeship Open Evening 2026

7th March 2026 - UCW Open Day

25th March 2026 - “Come and Have a Go!” Open Evening

Get in touch with the Careers and Employability Team, by clicking here. 

Last week, our Hairdressing and Beauty students visited the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London to take part in a masterclass titled The Art of Movie Make-up where students got to see the time, craft and skills behind the Making of Harry Potter, followed by a behind-the-scenes studio tour. This experience gave students a unique insight into the creation of one of the highest-grossing film franchises of all time.  

During the masterclass, students explored the powerful impact that hair and makeup have on a character’s physical appearance. They learned how distinctive features help define and identify characters, such as Harry Potter’s iconic scar and glasses, Voldemort’s nose, and Draco Malfoy’s slicked-back, platinum-blonde hair. These visual elements extend beyond the films themselves and have become instantly recognisable symbols of the franchise.  

Students were then guided through the step-by-step process used by professional makeup artists to create characters for film. This begins with carefully reading the full script and analysing character descriptions to determine the appropriate hair and makeup required to bring the director’s vision to life. This foundational stage is essential, allowing each character’s look to be developed and refined through multiple stages of collaboration and feedback.  

Throughout the session, students also learned a range of fascinating facts about the Harry Potter films and the design choices behind each character. They gained insight into the challenges makeup artists face in maintaining consistency and continuity, particularly across long-running film franchises where actors change and grow over time.  

To apply their learning, students took part in a creative activity in which they designed their own character. They selected a name, gender, species, and defining characteristics, using personality traits as a guide for their character’s visual appearance. This task highlighted how hair and makeup can help communicate a character’s background, journey, and role within a story.  

To conclude the visit, students viewed authentic prosthetics and wigs used in the Harry Potter films, bringing to life the transformative impact that hair and makeup can have on screen.  

Overall, the trip provided students with a valuable opportunity to apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, learn directly from industry professionals, and develop a deeper understanding of the vital role hair and makeup play in shaping a character’s personality and backstory. This is particularly important in book-to-film adaptations, where meeting audience expectations is crucial to maintaining authenticity and enjoyment.  

The experience also allowed students to network with industry professionals, ask questions, and gain insight into potential career pathways after college. They learned about routes into hair and makeup for TV and film, and gained an honest understanding of both the rewards and challenges of working in a high-pressure industry that plays a key role in the success of modern cinematography.  

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College, said, “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students, benefitting not only their professional development but also their personal growth. It helped build their confidence, creativity, and determination to achieve the careers they aspire to. By giving students the chance to explore a range of pathways within the Hair and Beauty sector, we are broadening their prospects and helping them gain a clearer understanding of the careers they could pursue after completing their course. As a college, we are committed to ensuring they feel fully prepared and supported as they take their next step.”  

This curriculum trip forms part of the Hairdressing and Beauty 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.  

Progress to the next level in SUBJECT! At University Centre Weston (UCW) 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. Click here! 

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 here. 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. 

Claire Hazelgrove MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke was welcomed to GKN Aerospace’s Global Technology Centre in Bristol to showcase how industry and education are working together to deliver high-quality technical skills and support regional economic growth. 

The visit, facilitated by the West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT) and initiated through the Gatsby Foundation, brought Claire Hazelgrove MP together with education and industry leaders from across the WEIoT partnership, including GKN Aerospace, the Weston College Group and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). GKN Aerospace apprentices also took part, sharing first-hand insights into technical education and their progression into high-skilled aerospace careers. 

During the visit, the MP toured the Global Technology Centre (GTC), beginning in the Training and Education Centre, where Claire met apprentices, explored the learning environment and viewed specialist facilities. The tour continued into the workshop, home to Weston College’s on-site learning space for apprentices, demonstrating how technical education is delivered alongside cutting-edge aerospace innovation. 

The visit reinforced Claire Hazelgrove MP’s commitment to supporting young people, strengthening links between education and local employers, and ensuring the region’s aerospace and engineering sectors have the skilled workforce they need to thrive. 

Claire Hazelgrove, MP for the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency, said:  

“I’m grateful to GKN Aerospace for hosting me together with key representatives from, Weston College, UWE Bristol and the Gatsby Foundation on site in Filton on Friday to hear more about their collaboration - between industry, education and research - at the West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT). 

“This collaboration is both driving innovation and creating opportunities right here in our community, including for apprentices like Reece, Maddie and Lysander, who we heard from about their invaluable experience here.” 

“Our Labour Government is backing further education and gold standard apprenticeships alongside university education - rather than pushing it instead of these other valuable routes - and funding the costs of training apprentices for SMEs.” 

Speaking following the visit, Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group and education provider lead for the WEIoT, said:  

“This visit highlights the power of partnership between education and industry. Together, we are creating clear, high-quality technical pathways that allow learners to progress into skilled, well-paid careers without leaving the region. Building on our strong partnerships with GKN Aerospace, Airbus and Rolls-Royce, Weston College is developing a new Aerospace Skills Academy in Filton. This investment reflects our shared commitment to meeting the future skills needs of the aerospace sector, supporting employers, and ensuring local people can access outstanding technical education that leads directly to opportunity."