Weston College has been selected to provide the Future Skills Programme, which is funded by His Majesty’s Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS). The College, which provides education to prisoners in the South West, has received funding to assist individuals in the last six months of their sentence. Employment, housing, and support for ex-offenders are essential factors in reducing reoffending rates.

The Future Skills Programme is a national initiative that works with providers to help ex-offenders secure employment by providing training programs, eliminating employment barriers, and offering ongoing support throughout the early phases of employment post-release. The programme will offer six-week courses in hospitality and catering, utilities, construction, and warehousing logistics, and employers will interview learners during the course to offer them job opportunities before leaving prison.

The initiative will launch in November 2023 and offer courses at HMP Exeter, HMP Guys Marsh in Shaftesbury, and HMP Portland in Dorset. The program is developed with the help of employers who will be involved in the training delivery and will offer those who complete the course a guaranteed interview for a live vacancy in their release area. Weston College is excited to deliver the Future Skills Programme and work closely with employers and learners to develop employment skills and secure jobs before leaving custody.

Jacqui Ford, Interim Principal and Chief Executive at Weston College said:

“Weston College is delighted to have successfully secured this opportunity to deliver the Future Skills Programme. As an existing provider of education in prisons, we look forward to working with partners to mobilise this exciting new initiative, working closely with employers, and supporting learners to develop skills for employment and secure jobs before leaving custody.”

Dave Crew, Head of Business Growth and Employer Partnerships at Weston College, said:

“As an established provider of prison education, we’re seeing an increased level of engagement from employers looking to offer opportunities to fill skills gaps in their business. We regularly hear from our learners that leaving prison can be daunting. Knowing that you have the skills employers need, and a job offer from an employer who believes in you, will make such a difference. I would like to thank those employers including Arthur David and GXO who supported our bid for the Future Skills Programme, and also Kier who will be offering vacancies in construction and street works, and GXO with vacancies in warehousing. We are looking forward to other employers reaching out who may also be interested in this opportunity.”

Weston College is seeking additional employers to work on this initiative, if you are interested in participating, please contact the employer engagement team at Weston College by emailing employers@weston.ac.uk

Source: Employing prisoners and ex-offenders - GOV.UK 

Weston College Sports students held a successful primary school football event at Weston College’s Health and Active Living Skills Centre. This event showcased the outstanding efforts of our dedicated Sports Coaching & Physical Education, Level 3 learners, who played a pivotal role in organising and executing a memorable day for all participants.

The Sports students demonstrated teamwork and commitment throughout the entire process, working collaboratively with the North Somerset Schools Partnership for Educational Athletics (NSSPEA) and the Education Learning Alliance Network (ELAN). Their efforts included reaching out to school staff before the event, coordinating various activities for the day, and ensuring the seamless running of the event.

The objective of this initiative was to provide the Sports students with valuable opportunities to take charge in organising events, fostering connections with local businesses and schools, and enhancing their coaching skills. By engaging in the planning and execution of the football event, students gained hands-on experience in event management, teamwork, and community collaboration. By actively participating in the planning and execution of the primary school football event, these students gained practical insights into organising sports events, enhancing their leadership skills in the process.

"We are thrilled to see our students taking initiative and actively contributing to the success of this primary school football event," said Dan Lomax, Curriculum Co-ordinator of Sport and Health at Weston College. "This experience goes beyond the classroom, providing them with practical skills and a sense of responsibility that will undoubtedly serve them well in their future careers."

The College remains committed to providing students with opportunities that not only enhance their academic knowledge but also empower them to become confident, capable, and community-minded individuals.

This student-led event formed part of the Sport and Fitness Careers Excellence Hub; Weston College 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.

For further information about Weston College courses, please click here.

Throughout the month of October, Weston College’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, along with the Health & Social Care staff, organised activities and talks for learners at the College to engage in celebrations for Black History Month: Saluting our Sisters!

The month featured a diverse group of individuals who shared their unique insights and personal experiences, creating a valuable educational experience for staff and learners at Weston College. The central focus was on Allyship (the quality or practice of helping or supporting other people who are part of a group that is treated badly or unfairly, although you are not yourself a member of this group), Anti-racism, and developing knowledge about the women of colour who paved the way for progress and Black history and culture.

One of many speakers throughout the month was Korede, the Founder & Operations Director at the Vemoye Foundation, who provided a contemporary and enlightening perspective on Africa's future. Korede emphasized the importance of challenging stereotypes and encouraged the audience to think critically about preconceived notions. The interactive and engaging discussion left attendees with a renewed understanding of Africa's rich and dynamic history.

The feedback from the guest talks was overwhelmingly positive, with learners expressing their appreciation for the engaging and informative presentations. Learners and staff at Weston College found the event to be both enlightening and thought-provoking, sparking meaningful conversations about the significance of Black history and the crucial role of women in this narrative.

One learner told us: “The session was a great way of relaying fun stories and activities! I’ve learned a lot, particularly how I can help and how Africa isn’t just how it’s commonly perceived!”

In addition to the enlightening talks, the event also celebrated the vibrant and diverse culture of West Africa through its cuisine. Yemmy from Yemmy’s Kitchen, a skilled caterer, served traditional West African dishes including Jollof Rice, Chicken Gizzards and Puff Puff, that delighted the taste buds of everyone in attendance. The authentic flavours and aromas transported attendees on a culinary journey that complemented the educational aspect of the event.

Jo Philpott, Senior Vice Principal at Weston College, expressed her enthusiasm about the success of the event, saying, "Our Black History Month celebration has been a resounding success. We are immensely grateful to our guest speakers, educators, artists, and caterer for their valuable contributions, as well as our Health and Social Care Lecturer, Louise Hill-Davis who co-ordinated every event that has taken place. This experience has been a significant step toward fostering a more inclusive and culturally aware educational environment at Weston College."

Weston College plans to continue organising and hosting events to demonstrate its commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. We have future talks planned with guests, such as Sope Wolffs PhD - Clinical Trials Manager and Research Facilitator who will be coming to the college in the new year to discuss her journey as a Black Female researcher working in a white male dominated field.