Last week, former T Level Construction student, Ben, visited our current Year 1 and Year 2 Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level students to discuss his journey from Weston College into his current position as a Structural Technician Apprentice at Stantec.  

The Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level is a very hands-on qualification, giving students the opportunity to work with employers and develop their skills and knowledge in a practical setting. They work 315 hours with an employer, gaining invaluable feedback and assistance from industry professionals, as well as responsibilities within their roles which will build their abilities and confidence.  

Ben completed the Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level in 2023 where he excelled within his industry placement at Hydrock. He impressed them with his knowledge and maturity and offered him a full-time Apprenticeship role with them upon the successful completion of his T Level.   

The college also recognised Ben’s dedication and hard work inside and outside the college by awarding him the Construction Profession Trades Student of the Year Award during Weston College’s Celebration of Success in 2024.   

After he completed his T Level with a Distinction, Ben accepted the role at Hydrock and worked alongside completing his Level 4 Civil Engineering HNC course at University Centre Weston (UCW). This was a great opportunity for him to deepen his knowledge and gain a higher qualification in the field. After completing the Level 4 course, Ben plans to progress to the Level 6 Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship. This will make him a highly qualified engineer with an in-depth technical understanding of the field. 

During his guest lecture, Ben discussed his current role at Stantec, previously known as Hydrock, as a Structural Engineering Apprentice and the responsibilities it entails, including the designs and models he creates, the coordination required with different teams, and the processes he must go through to create a finalised design.   

Within his role, Ben has gained a vast amount of experience, giving him the chance to work closely with clients and work on large projects in the community. This not only builds his confidence and his skills, but it also builds his portfolio due to the number of building designs sent off with his name on.   

However, the more challenging aspects of the job include trying to find a compromise between different teams who may prioritise different aspects of a design. For example, working with contractors, engineers, and architects can be difficult as each area specialises in different things and often want contradicting changes made. These challenges, however, improve Ben’s adaptability and allow him to think practically and overcome issues with alternate solutions that suit all parties.  

Ben shared his advice on T Level placements, saying, “You must apply yourself and if they like you and you work hard, you have a better chance of securing a permanent role. There’s never a guarantee, but if you’re willing to learn and have a positive attitude towards the job then you have a much better chance of building a relationship.”  

“The T Level helped me gain a good level of understanding for what a role in the industry would entail. I learnt the basics of how to use the software in my T Level, and the knowledge I learnt massively helped me lay the foundation for my current role.”  

Ben is an excellent example of what students can achieve when they work hard, apply themselves and have passion for a subject. He had a positive work ethic and attitude towards his role which reflected his commitment to his future.  

A big thank you to Ben for sharing his experiences with our students and showing them what they can achieve if they work hard.  

This guest lecture forms part of the Construction 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 Construction! 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. 

After graduating from her course in Animal Conservation, Behaviour and Welfare at UCW, and previously having completed an Animal Management course at Weston College, Grace applied for an Animal Care Assistant position at the RSPCA! We caught up with her to find out all about how it’s going. 

As part of the application process, she was invited to an interview and asked to prepare a short presentation about the history of the RSPCA and the work that they do. Following a successful interview, Grace was selected for a trial day – a full day of hands-on work to demonstrate skills and suitability for the role. “It is important to note that a few candidates were selected for a trial day so I was highly motivated to do my absolute best.” 

Now working in this role, Grace says there’s plenty to love about the role. “It’s hard to pinpoint my favourite part of the role because there is so much to love. However, I do believe being able to help animals everyday whether they need medical attention, love or reassurance is my ultimate favourite.” 

A typical day starts early, with feeding, medicating, and cleaning the animals’ accommodation. “We currently have a range of animals on site including, dogs, cats and rabbits. It can often include other small animals like hamsters, guinea pigs and ferrets. Along with a not so occasional – Cockerel,” she said. 

Each day varies, filled with a mixture of exercising dogs, setting up enrichment activities, performing health checks, grooming, observing animal behaviour, and even carrying out viewings for potential adopters. The day ends with more feeding and medicating, final cleaning, and settling down the animals for bedtime. 

Reflecting on their journey, Grace credits much of their success to their time studying at Weston College and UCW. “When at UCW I found being able to get stuck in and gain practical experience was highly valuable. That includes my time at Puxton Park and the range of work experience I carried out within different environments in the animal industry. My lecturers pushed me to experience all parts of the industry which ultimately helped me decide where I wanted to go with my future.” 

This work experience and time at Puxton Park forms part of the UCW Animal, Environment and Biological Studies Careers Excellence Hub; which is committed to preparing learners for success in a rapidly evolving job market which is reflected in our offer via our bespoke Career Excellence Hubs, which form an integral part of all college programmes. In a world where professional networks and industry-specific skills are integral to landing employment, these hubs provide a unique solution to bridge the gap between education and industry demands.   

The academic side of their course has also proved invaluable. “A lot of the modules I covered still help me to this day, including health, anatomy and the importance of animal behaviour. Everything I learnt along my journey at Weston College and UCW I still carry with me and it aids me to excel within my working role and personal life.” 

Offering advice to current and future students, Grace said: “I would say, get stuck in! Dig deep in your modules in the classroom and out in the field. Gain as much knowledge and practical experience as you can because it is so fundamental to be able to work in animal welfare.” 

When it comes to choosing where to study, Grace couldn’t recommend UCW more highly. “The animal courses at UCW are so accessible and the team of lecturers for the animal courses are so kind, welcoming and are always there if you need any help. The learning environment they create is supportive and positive which makes it that much easier to achieve. The resources that are available to UCW students are great too, whether you need support with your assignments or just need someone to talk to, there is always someone there.” 

If you want to experience the great animal facilities and support at UCW, apply for our Animal Conservation, Behaviour and Welfare course now! To explore Animal Management at Weston College, click here!

It’s T Levels Week so we want to discuss the different progression routes students can take after completing a T Level and the benefits they have on future careers. 

T Levels were officially launched in September 2020 but have already proved to be an excellent pathway for many learners, allowing them to progress onto apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships, university and full-time employment.  

T Levels are two-year qualifications for 16- to 19-year-olds designed in collaboration with employers to provide a perfect blend of classroom learning and real-world experience. They are a fantastic alternative to A Levels and apprenticeships, ensuring that learners graduate with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in their chosen fields.  

According to the Department of Education’s Technical Education Learner Survey 2024, around 72% of T Level completers agreed that their T Level had allowed them to progress into their desired field. Not only this, 71% said their T Level prepared them for their current study and the workplace, and 68% felt ready for their future career. 

At Weston College, we have many examples of students who have successfully progressed from T Levels to Degree Apprenticeships. One learner, Lewis, studied the T Level Health and has just begun the new Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship at University Centre Weston (UCW). Lewis said, “I’ve been a full-time carer for my mum for years, which inspired my goal to become a paramedic. The T Level Health course stood out for its blend of theoretical and practical learning, allowing me to practice my skills in a simulation room and on placements.”

Another student, Ben, studied the T-Level: Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction, completing his placement at Hydrock where he was kept on as a Structural Engineer Apprentice through the Level 4 Civil Engineering Apprenticeship at UCW due to his hard work and talent. He even revisited the current T Level Construction learners to discuss his role in the company, his progression, and his future plans to complete a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship with UCW. 

However, there have also been many instances where students have progressed from T Levels to university. One student, Katy, studied the T Level in Education and Early Years which provided her with hands-on experience at different primary school placements, before progressing to a degree in Education, Society, and Childhood at UCW. 

One of our current Year 2 Business, Management and Leadership T Level students, Ellie, is planning to progress to university or go down the apprenticeship route once she has completed her T Level. She said, “What drew me to the T Level is that it’s not all classroom based. You get to go to a placement in a major business and explore what it is like to work there, get stuck into tasks, and work together with new people in teams. I am currently completing my placement at Lloyds Banking Group and I am really enjoying it. It has improved my confidence and my practical knowledge of business that I may not have got solely in a classroom.” 

T Levels provide the perfect blend of classroom and hands-on work placement. With many future opportunities desiring both a qualification and industry experience, these new qualifications allow students to apply their knowledge to a real-world setting. It develops their transferrable skills and better prepares them for their future careers by enhancing their personal and professional growth. 

If you are interested in exploring our T Levels, click here.