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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
In February 2022, Weston College developed and launched Accelerate; a 7 month intensive skills and training programme for businesses and individuals to access in for free in North Somerset. As the project draws a full close one year later, it has been revealed that not only did the Community Renewal Fund reached it target objectives, but Weston College succeeded with the allocated part of the programme.
Together with North Somerset Council, The Food and Drink Forum and The Hive - Business Support Centre, Weston College received a share of funding from a £2.8m government initiative, which was part of the UK Community Renewal Fund.
Working together, the partners developed Accelerate – a unique umbrella of fully rounded support opportunities for not only working individuals and business wanting to upskill or start a business but also to for individuals looking for help to get back into work and access key support. Accelerate was one of four projects that delivered skills, community, business, and employment opportunities.
In total, Weston College alone reached 322 unique businesses from February to September 2022, culminating in a reach of over 1100 individuals in total. A large portion of those businesses reached were North Somerset SMEs, of whom hire under 250 employees and quite often struggle to access funded training courses.
Of the 1100+ individuals that were reached in just over 7 months, 200 participants engaged in life skills support following the Brighter Futures jobs fair which welcome local businesses looking for talent and supporting job seekers.
Skills Sessions included CV support, resilience in employment, and appropriate employment related behaviour training. The event helped all attendees with application support and job opportunities. Accelerate also developed a packed monthly calendar of free and accessible workshops for businesses and individuals to access that covered key skills requirements. Successful workshops included Managing Teams and Mentoring, Navigating Difficult Conversations in the Workplace, Marketing and Branding, Sustainability support, Canva Essentials, Disability Confident Employment, Leadership Skills, Microsoft, Excel, Diversity and Inclusion and British Sign Language (amongst much more).
The project also enabled the development of a business community hub at Spacebar, a dedicated workshop style space located in the Sovereign Centre. Spacebar is still used weekly for all partners, for free, to offer business advice, promote volunteering opportunities in the region and access further training and outreach to those seeking employment support or specialist advice for refugees in the region.
Even though Accelerate, as a funded project, has now closed, the community of business support remains strong. All North Somerset business, of all industries and sizes are welcome to join the Accelerate LinkedIn group and take advantage of continuing support. Weston College continues to be a reliable resource for business support across recruitment, apprenticeships and more and is working hard with businesses to support learners into industry and enable business to access training, secure talent and thrive.
Learners from our Business Career Excellence Hub have raised an incredible £5,170 for Weston Hospicecare, through the Business Enterprise Challenge.
Now in it’s second year, the Business Enterprise Challenge sees Business students split into18 groups, and tasked with raising money for Weston Hospicecare. Each group are given a Business Mentor, as well as a £50 donation for a start-up budget. The challenge is to turn their £50 into the most profit, with all proceeds going to the charity.
Each group of learners have created their business plan, which includes sourcing products, developing their pricing strategy, coming up with a marketing plan and then selling their product or service.
The groups ran their businesses from October to January, and included companies that created ‘Christmas Treat Baubles’ for pets, sustainable eco-friendly biodegradable ‘Self Care Packages’ and an events management business.
Dean of Faculty for Professional Studies Access to HE & Animal Science at Weston College, Helen George, said: “We are so proud of what our learners have achieved as part of this challenge. Over the course of the challenge, we have seen learners grow in confidence, increase their understanding of running a business and build vital skills that will support them throughout their future careers.
Most importantly learners have raised a lot of money for Weston Hospicecare, which has been the driving force behind the success we have seen to date.
Thank you to our Business Mentors who have provided such valuable advice, guidance and feedback to the learners. We really appreciate their support.”
Each group of learners presented their experiences to a judging panel, as well as sharing how much they raised, which resulted in four award winning groups:
- Fundraisers Achievement Award – Isabelle, Abi, Elena, Lauren, Inga, Lloyd, and Wiktor
- Best Presentation Award – Nicole, Ella, Olivia, Milly, Eva, and Amanda
- Product Innovation Award – Paige, Martyna, and Eloise
- Employer Engagement/Networking Award – Thomas, Charlotte, Grace, Harry, Reg, and Daniel
- Overall Winners Award – Jodine, Melwin, Harry, Samuel, Maddison, and Denver.
Philppa Haynes, Founder of Insight 101 Brand Strategy Consultant, and mentor to our overall winners, said: “I’ve always been impressed by the commitment of Weston College to its students. The Enterprise Challenge Awards, sponsored by Weston Hospicecare, is yet another feather in their cap. As a mentor for the winning team which raised over £1000, I’m so proud of the students. Guts, determination and a little bit of flair were very much key to their success.”
Ben Whitwell, Creative Director Benji Graphics, and also a mentor, said “This was a really great project to be involved with, not only did it raise a fantastic amount for Weston Hospicecare, but it gave us a chance to work with really passionate and enthusiastic students from Weston College. It was really rewarding seeing their project through from planning through to sales and great to see them rewarded for all their efforts. I’ll be back next year, and I’m coming back to win with my team!
If you would like to find out more about studying a business course at Weston College, click here.
When I left school, I worked in my local council’s environmental health department admin team over the summer before completing my A-Levels. I got a job as an estate agent but sadly the office I worked for closed during the financial crisis of 2008. I found myself suddenly out of work until I spotted an advert for maternity cover in the support team in Environmental Health at Mid Devon District Council.
I loved working as a Business Support Officer on the front line of the service taking calls, helping the public with such a wide range of interesting enquiries, from swarming bees to smoky bonfires; pub kitchen complaints to mouldy houses; and working to support the officers across all the environmental health disciplines in their roles. As I had a background in housing, I concentrated on support for the EH officers working in Private Sector Housing. It was really satisfying to be part of the team that made a difference for people that live in poor housing or needed an adaptation so they can safely access their homes. The knowledge and enthusiasm of the EH officers was infectious.
After having my children, I completed the Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) training, became a member of the CIEH and started becoming more involved in casework. My hard work paid off and I was promoted to Private Sector Housing (PSH) officer. However, I still wasn’t a qualified Environmental Health Practitioner and was eager to learn more. Then I spotted an advert in Environmental Health News (EHN) for the apprenticeship degree and found out my employer was happy to support me on the course.
I am now in my second year of study and love how much more confident I am at doing my job already. I work four days a week and attend lectures once a week at the University Centre in Weston, or sometimes I join the lectures online. I keep in touch with my fellow students during the week and we’re always on a WhatsApp chat to run ideas past each other. The flexibility is great having the option to study from home, and my manager is so supportive.
It has been a challenge learning to be a student again; getting to grips with homework and fitting in time to research and write assignments, but I am fortunate enough to have a supportive husband and family around me. I have also found that my two children have benefitted from seeing mum study; we sit down together to do our homework!
WHICH LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?
