COURSES FOR SCHOOL LEAVERS
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QUALIFICATIONS EXPLAINED
A Levels develop the knowledge, skills and study habits to excel at university, as well as the attributes recognised by employers.
Your academic studies will be complemented with enrichment opportunities such as trips, mentoring and work experience, providing the perfect springboard for your future career.
A Levels are assessed through exams at the end of two years of study. Most learners study three subjects - some choose four.
With an apprenticeship you’ll go straight into the workplace and be shown clear routes to progress straight into employment within a specific occupation. You can achieve nationally recognised qualifications, earn a wage, and gain skills that will see you get ahead. On average you will spend 20% of your learning time in the college and 80% within the workplace
Professional and technical qualifications are designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to gain employment within specific industries or occupations. They provide a balance between theory and practical skills development. They are suited to those who want to get hands-on experience within a particular vocational area. These programmes include work placements. Assessment is more varied and will include exams, coursework and practical work.
T Levels give you the chance to learn what a real career is like while you continue your studies. T Levels have been designed with leading businesses and employers to give you the knowledge and skills you need, including a minimum of 45 days on an industry placement – this means you will spend 80% of your learning time in College and 20% within the workplace.
LATEST NEWS
As part of T Level Takeover week, we’ve been lucky enough to catch up with one of our incredible alumni, Brandon, who completed his T Level in Digital Production, Design and Development last year. As one of the first people in the country to take this course, Brandon impressed his tutors and employers alike, with his dedication and work ethic. As a result of this, he won Industry Placement Learner of the Year at the 2022 Business Awards!
Here’s what Brandon had to say on his experience of T Levels:
"My name is Brandon, and I completed the Digital Production, Design and Development T Level last year. I am now studying Aberystwyth University, after receiving a scholarship!
Reflecting back over the course, my favourite part was definitely the work placement aspect. I completed my industry placement at Spacebar, which is a digital hub located in the heart of Weston-super-Mare, which assists local businesses in their online presence, particularly in the creation of their website.
However, another highlight of my time at Weston College was being nominated for, and winning, Industry Placement of the Year at the Business Awards! Having my hard work celebrated with my classmates, teachers and employers was an indescribable feeling, and one of my proudest achievements.
This placement allowed me to develop many practical skills to an advanced level, that I would not have learnt inside the classroom, as well as skills such as customer service when communicating with the client, leadership when delegating tasks to my peers, and professionalism within the workplace.
The course itself had so many real-world applications, which was fantastic for knowing how the course material will benefit me in the future world of work. In particular, the assessment methods were very practical and real-world based which I think is highly important for a course of this nature.
If you are considering a T Level, I would say absolutely go for it. The experience and skills you gain are second to none, and you result in a qualification equivalent to 3 A Levels! I loved my time doing the course, and I would go back and do it again if I could!"
With Weston College's Annual Business Awards rapidly approaching, we’re excited to be bringing you another employer award nominees articles!
In this article we’ll be talking through our nominees for the Work Experience Employer of the Year award. Nominated are: Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, Visit Somerset and PaoloR.
Good luck to all that have been nominated! Award winners will be announced on Thursday 15th June. Stay updated by following our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages or by following #WestonCollegeBusinessAwards2023.
My name is Sam Matthews and I’m an Accounts manager at Brooking Ruse. My role consists of running my own client portfolio which includes a wide range of businesses, as well as assisting the directors with their more complex clients. I also line manage our accounting apprentices.
I decided to become an accountant during my second year at university. I had visited Brooking Ruse on work experience whilst at school, which evolved into some paid seasonal work during the summer holidays – so it was a no-brainer when I was offered a graduate trainee role.
Accountancy involves a lot of maths, and this wasn’t something that I was initially interested in, or considered pursuing until I sat my GCSESs when I surprised myself with good grades! My interest in maths certainly developed over time after that.
Being an accountant is challenging but rewarding.
Becoming an accountant gives you access to a wide range of industry sectors and job roles. I knew that if I didn’t enjoy working in general practice then I could look to move into industry as a management accountant. I could also have chosen to specialise within a particular area such as audit, tax, or insolvency, etc.
Once you’ve done your bit it’s then time to communicate with the client. This can be a great opportunity to build professional relationships and meet people you’d have otherwise never met.
There are lots of great things about the job – I really enjoy meeting with clients to understand their goals and working with them to ensure they’re achieved. I’ve taken on a couple of clients recently who found themselves in a spot of bother – seeing the relief on their faces when the matters were resolved was a great feeling.
If you’re thinking of becoming an accountant, my advice is to go for it!
Accountancy qualifications are a passport to anywhere – every business needs someone financially-minded so there are infinite possibilities.
I also think there’s a myth that you need A Level or degree standard maths skills; you really don’t. What’s more important is being able to approach problems with logical and structured thinking…. our calculators do the sums for us!
My name is Sam Matthews and I’m an Accounts manager at Brooking Ruse. My role consists of running my own client portfolio which includes a wide range of businesses, as well as assisting the directors with their more complex clients. I also line manage our accounting apprentices.
I decided to become an accountant during my second year at university. I had visited Brooking Ruse on work experience whilst at school, which evolved into some paid seasonal work during the summer holidays – so it was a no-brainer when I was offered a graduate trainee role.
Accountancy involves a lot of maths, and this wasn’t something that I was initially interested in, or considered pursuing until I sat my GCSESs when I surprised myself with good grades! My interest in maths certainly developed over time after that.
Becoming an accountant gives you access to a wide range of industry sectors and job roles. I knew that if I didn’t enjoy working in general practice then I could look to move into industry as a management accountant. I could also have chosen to specialise within a particular area such as audit, tax, or insolvency, etc.
Being an accountant is challenging but rewarding.
There is always a nice mix of work in – some jobs might give you a headache, but others can be surprisingly gentle!
Once you’ve done your bit it’s then time to communicate with the client. This can be a great opportunity to build professional relationships and meet people you’d have otherwise never met.
There are lots of great things about the job – I really enjoy meeting with clients to understand their goals and working with them to ensure they’re achieved. I’ve taken on a couple of clients recently who found themselves in a spot of bother – seeing the relief on their faces when the matters were resolved was a great feeling.
If you’re thinking of becoming an accountant, my advice is to go for it!
Accountancy qualifications are a passport to anywhere – every business needs someone financially-minded so there are infinite possibilities.
I also think there’s a myth that you need A Level or degree standard maths skills; you really don’t. What’s more important is being able to approach problems with logical and structured thinking…. our calculators do the sums for us!
WHICH LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?
