This week, Weston College hosted the Beauty Therapy South West Skills Challenge endorsed by WorldSkills UK for the second year in a row, with one of our Weston College students taking 2nd place after Bath College. This was an excellent opportunity for students from across the South West to compete in a range of techniques in a professional, time-sensitive environment. 

During the challenge, we hosted Bath College, Yeovil College, and New College Swindon as well as two of our Weston College students. The day consisted of treatments which were judged by industry professionals such as Bella Beauty and former Weston College learner and WorldSkills competitor, Ellie, who now works at Cadbury Spa. 

Throughout the competition, students completed multiple treatments, from manicures and pedicures, to facials and eyelash tinting. They had 2.5 hours to complete all treatments which was great practice for students competing in future WorldSkills competitions. It was fantastic to see the concentration and professionalism from all of the students, and it was excellent preparation for future careers as Beauty Practitioners.  

Competitions like this provide our students with invaluable experience within their subject, building their confidence and time management skills whilst also strengthening employer engagement and meeting likeminded individuals from different colleges. This is an excellent networking opportunity whilst developing their abilities and building their professional portfolio. 

It was also a great opportunity for our students to see former student, Ellie, on the judging panel as it showed our students what they can achieve if they continue to persevere and take part in enriching competitions such as this. 

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College, added, “It was fantastic to see the dedication and commitment shown by the students throughout the competition. Our two Beauty Therapy learners, Eve and Aimee, demonstrated their knowledge and skills brilliantly and Aimee was rewarded with an impressive second-place award.” 

“We always encourage our students to challenge themselves by taking part in competitions like this, as they provide valuable hands-on experience, help build confidence, and develop the resilience and adaptability needed for future careers in the industry. As a college, we are grateful to host other local colleges, giving our students the opportunity to connect, share experiences, and build networks with others in the field.” 

Also, a big thank you to our SEND learners who provided a fantastic refreshment service to ensure our competitors were fully fuelled throughout the competition.  

And finally, a huge well done to all the students who took part, the professionalism displayed was excellent to see and we look forward to seeing the future talent in the Beauty industry.

This competition forms part of the Beauty Therapy 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.  

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.

We spoke with Twisted to learn more about how they work alongside our digital learners, supporting their development and providing opportunities for them to build valuable skills and experience within the digital industry.

Could you please introduce yourself and outline your role at Twisted?

I'm Ross, I'm the Marketing Director at Twisted, and I work with businesses who don't have an internal marketing team, or those who want to support their existing efforts by amplifying the businesses own brand voice.

Can you tell us more about Twisted and the services you provide?

Operating as Twisted for 6 years, we are part of a national group, offering Marketing Consultancy, Web Services, Creative design and branding expertise.

What types of opportunities are you currently offering to Weston College students?

T-Level Placements within computing & Business. We have accepted 3 students this academic year, and one last year who is now on a DATS apprenticeship with our sister company.

How do you engage with and support our digital learners?

In addition to supporting with placements, we have:

• Worked alongside the Weston Hospicecare Business Enterprise Project for 3 years.
• Collaborated with the Computing Department to run “Employer Engagement” Weeks.
• Delivered guest lectures.
• Provided an A Level internship in graphic design.
• Participated in CEH curriculum forums.
• Agreed to work with the Re-engagement Department on a future date (to be confirmed).

What qualities or skills do you look for when recruiting digital learners?

A willingness to learn and develop both hard and soft skills. Presentation and punctuality.

Are there any standout success stories involving Weston College digital learners?

Taking a T-Level student who had a bad experience at his first placement who showed consistent improvement throughout, leading to being offered his apprenticeship with us. Seeing the development of a shy student grow and interact with us, and become a valued member of the team.

How has partnering with Weston College through our digital programmes benefited Twisted?

Partnering brings both valuable resource to us, but also allows us to help develop the next wave of potential future employees.

In what ways do our learners benefit from Twisted being a CEH partner of the College?

We bring a true idea of what is expected in an average workplace. Being part of a team, and seeing actual results that are commercially viable and "real world" achievements. Building confidence to put their own ideas across to provide a genuine contribution to the workplace.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Our work with the college has always felt highly rewarding to us, being able to pass on knowledge and experience in a way that hopefully will make a difference to young people who are about to enter the world of full-time work.

Last week, our Hospitality and Catering students welcomed members of the Catering Services Branch from the Royal Navy, who delivered an engaging presentation about careers within the service, the opportunities available, and the benefits of working as part of their team. The visit concluded with an exciting Ready, Steady, Cook–style challenge where students tested their culinary skills in groups. 

The Royal Navy is the United Kingdom’s naval warfare force, responsible for protecting the nation’s seas, supporting global security, and providing humanitarian aid. Operating ships, submarines, aircraft and elite units, the organisation offers a wide range of career specialisms. Alongside these roles, it provides apprenticeships, technical training and leadership pathways both at sea and on shore. 

During the session, the visiting team shared their own career journeys into the Royal Navy, explaining how they began as apprentices before progressing into full-time roles within the catering branch. They spoke about their experiences and the unique opportunities they have had so far in their careers, including catering for high-profile individuals and travelling as part of their work. 

The team also outlined the application process and the health and fitness requirements needed to join the Royal Navy. They reassured students that the process is far less daunting than many people assume, helping to broaden students’ perspectives and boost their confidence in their own eligibility, ability and talent. 

A career in the Royal Navy offers a wide range of personal and professional benefits. These include a competitive salary, strong support and pension schemes, travel opportunities, access to a variety of sports teams, and a range of discounts across shops, events and leisure activities. 

Following the presentation, the team launched the Ready, Steady, Cook challenge. Students were given recipes and ingredients provided by the Royal Navy to create a fishcake with poached egg for the main course and cookies for dessert. They were encouraged to be creative with both the ingredients and seasonings, as well as the presentation of their dishes. The finished plates were then judged by the Royal Navy team on taste, creativity and presentation to determine the winning group. 

The judges were highly impressed with the dishes produced, praising the students for their professionalism and strong teamwork throughout the challenge. They also highlighted the impressive flavours and the unique approaches each group took when preparing and presenting their meals. 

The workshop provided an excellent opportunity for students to work alongside industry professionals and test their skills by preparing new dishes under time pressure. Experiences like this help students develop their techniques, confidence and adaptability while encouraging them to think creatively with the ingredients available. 

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors at Weston College, added, "It was great to have members from the Royal Navy come in and engage with our students, sharing their wide knowledge base and experiences as chefs within the Armed Forces. It's visits like this that help students gain a better understanding of the wide range of career opportunities within the catering industry beyond the traditional kitchen environment. It highlights alternative career pathways that many students may not have previously considered, raising a broader awareness of the opportunities for chefs."

A huge thank you to the Royal Navy Catering team for taking the time to visit our students, share their career journeys, and deliver such an engaging and hands-on workshop. 

This workshop forms part of the Hospitality and Catering 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.  

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.