This month, we’re proud to feature Brandon Hewlett, a Weston College alumnus who has built a successful career in the property and estate agency sector. Now the Managing Director of Hewlett Homes Estate Agents, Brandon’s journey from studying Business and Finance at college to running his own company is an inspiring example of where determination, adaptability, and ambition can lead.

My name is Brandon Hewlett, and I am the Managing Director of Hewlett Homes Estate Agents.

I studied Business and Finance at Weston College. While studying, I already knew that I wanted to work in sales, so after college I went straight into phone sales for a year. From there, I began my career in estate agency. Over time, I was promoted several times, eventually becoming a Branch Manager, before going on to start my own company in 2022. 

One pivotal opportunity came when I was offered the chance to move to Taunton to become a Branch Manager. I took this opportunity because I wanted to further my career, and it proved to be an important step in my development. Adaptability has been important in my career, particularly when it came to moving town to chase a promotion. This experience gave me valuable knowledge and confidence, which later helped me when I decided to start my own business.

For students who feel uncertain about their future career path, my advice would be that nothing in life is ever certain. You may start college with a specific career or goal in mind, but things can change in an instant. It’s important to be adaptable, ready, and open to new opportunities. 

In a world where industries and job roles are constantly evolving, young professionals should try not to become too specialist in one area unless they are completely certain about the career and role they want to pursue.

If I could go back and give my younger self one piece of career advice, it would be this: don’t try to be everybody’s friend. There will be times when you need to show authority and manage a team. Lead by example and always give everything 110%.

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. 

Weston College hosted the South West Regional HIP & SPARKS Competition again for the second year in a row at our South West Skills Campus yesterday, welcoming students, apprentices and lecturers from colleges across the South West of England. Students who win their regional heat will then compete for a chance to become the Learner of the Year Winner in the national Grand Final.

Weston College put forward two students, Level 3 Electrical apprentice, Marcus, for the SPARKS competition, and Level 3 Plumbing apprentice, Will, for the HIP competition. Both learners worked extremely hard to prepare themselves for this competition, working tirelessly with lecturers to ensure they covered a range of challenging installations to equip them with an in-depth skillset.

Marcus won the SPARKS South West Regional heat competition yesterday, securing him a place in the national Grand Final taking place in May. He displayed a high-level of accuracy and skills throughout the competition which secured him the top spot amongst his competitors. Will also worked hard throughout the HIP competition, displaying professionalism and dedication to his installation, unfortunately he did not manage to place in this year’s regional heat.

The HIP & SPARKS Competition encourages Plumbing and Electrical students from across the country to compete, with one student being chosen from each participating college to represent them in each competition in hopes of becoming the 2026 Learner of the Year. The HIP competition consists of Plumbing and heating students from across the UK, whilst the SPARKS competition consists of Electrical learners from across the UK.

During the competition, students had to complete a live practical installation, being given a strict brief and time limit that they must adhere to. Judging is then carried out by expert Technical Teams to ensure the students have followed the brief, test how well it works, the precision and accuracy of the installation, and the neatness of their work. A winner and a runner-up are then chosen from each regional heat to compete in the Grand Final and become the 2026 Learner of the Year in both competitions.

Lee Baker, lecturer in Electrotechnical, and Chris Simpson, lecturer in Plumbing, have worked hard to ensure both students feel prepared during the competition. 

These competitions are an excellent way for students to increase their confidence and skills, meet likeminded students in the same trade from across the country, network with industry professionals, and win huge prizes if they place in the regional or Grand Final.

Marcus, Electrical apprentice and the SPARKS South West Regional Heat winner, said: “I thought it went well but I was surprised when I won. I thought I had a good chance as I did some prep work in college and a lot of the work in the install I do on site but I didn’t think I’d win. I feel like everyone who gets the chance to do this competition should definitely give it a go as it’s great experience and you never know if you’ll win!”

Lee Baker, Lecturer in Electrotechnical at Weston College, shared how proud he was of Marcus, saying: “Marcus has worked exceptionally hard throughout his apprenticeship, and since being chosen to represent the college in the SPARKS competition, he has been pushing himself to his limits, making sure all installations are millimetre perfect. I couldn’t be prouder of what he has achieved and I look forward to seeing him compete in the final in May and show the extent of his skills.”

This competition 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 Engineering and 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.

Weston College recently delivered a highly successful series of online apprenticeship preparation workshops in collaboration with Channel 4, delivered in partnership with their 4Skills team. These sessions were specifically designed to support learners in advance of the Channel 4 Apprenticeship Programme, which is due to launch in January 2026, and to demystify the application and recruitment process for a highly competitive creative employer.

The workshops were well attended, with over 120 learners taking part from a wide range of curriculum areas, including Media, Creative, A Levels, Digital, Business, The King’s Trust, and SEND pathways. This broad engagement highlights both the strong interest in creative industry opportunities and the accessibility of the sessions across diverse learner groups.

Throughout the workshops, learners gained valuable and practical insight into the Channel 4 recruitment journey. This included guidance on completing high-quality applications, preparing for interviews, and approaching project-based assessment tasks with confidence. Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of values, behaviours, and transferable skills, alongside the attributes Channel 4 seek in aspiring apprentices entering the creative industries.

A key highlight of the sessions was the opportunity for learners to hear directly from current Channel 4 apprentices. Their first-hand experiences provided an authentic and relatable perspective on routes into the organisation, offering honest insights into day-to-day working life, progression opportunities, and what differentiates successful applicants. This peer-to-peer element proved especially impactful in building learner confidence and aspiration.

The positive impact of the workshops has been immediate and tangible. A number of learners have already submitted apprenticeship applications following the sessions, demonstrating increased confidence, motivation, and readiness to progress to the next stage of their career journey.

Overall, this collaboration showcases the strength and effectiveness of our wider Career Excellence employer partnerships and reinforces the value of targeted, employer-led enrichment activity in supporting learner progression into high-profile apprenticeship opportunities. Further collaborative activity with Channel 4 is planned for 2026, ensuring continued engagement and sustained impact for future cohorts.