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
Last week we welcomed Richard Gilbert from Halfords to our South West Skills Campus, to meet learners that are part of our Automotive Career Excellence Hub.
Richard delivered an engaging guest talk, and displayed a range of products available at Halfords.
Learners from across Automotive joined in, and they were also presented with a Halfords Trade Card, which allows them to purchase car parts, workshop tools, engine oils, and more, at a discounted price.
The Subject Area Manager for Automotive, Chris Priest, said: “It was great to welcome Richard in to talk to our students and we thank him and Halfords for their generosity in giving our learners trade cards.
“The learners were all really excited to receive their trade cards, and I know that this will be a great help for them as they start their journeys into the motor vehicle industry.”
Find out more about our Motor Vehicle courses, by clicking here.
Today the Association of College (AoC) have announced the Commended Colleges for the 2022/23 Beacon Awards; this is the first stage in the Awards process that sees 12 categories as part of the annual AoC Beacon Awards programme.
At this stage the Awards Assessors have recommended those applications that should be commended for their practice in each of the award categories, having demonstrated a high level of innovation, impact and sustainability and have therefore met the AoC Beacon Standard 2022/23.
Following this announcement, from those Beacon Commended Colleges the Beacon Finalist Colleges will then be announced at AoC Conference in Birmingham on Tuesday 15 November.
The categories Weston College are commended for include:
The Nous Group Award for Education for Sustainable Development
- BHASVIC
- Education Training Collective
- EKC Group
- Weston College
- New City College
- Grimsby Institute of Further & Higher Education
The AoC Award for Excellence in Governance
- Weston College
- Barnsley College
- Education Partnership North East (EPNE)
- Cardiff & Vale College
- EKC Group
- Moulton College
- Solihull College & University Centre
It is the WorldSkills National Finals next week (w/c 14th November). This event is the culmination of an exciting development programme, designed and assessed by industry experts, which judge an individual’s employability, personal and technical skills. There will be a total of 62 finals between 7 venues, and Weston College will be running the Website Development Competition at the Middlesborough venue!
Three of our own computing learners, Finley, Mircea and Skylar will be competing, and we wish them the very best of luck, as well as five other finalists from all over the country. We are looking forward to seeing who takes home the trophy!
As well as boosting skills and confidence, if competitors impress under the pressure of the finals, they could being with a chance of representing the UK at the “skills Olympics” in France 2024.
Steph McGovern will announce the winners on Friday, 25th November in a special medal ceremony, live-streamed to the WorldSkills UK website, from her Packed Lunch studio.
Sandra Bull, the Dean of the Faculty, commented: “We are so proud of the learners going to compete in the WorldSkills National Finals – it is a huge achievement for the college, and is a testament to the talent and ambition that is created here. This achievement, of course, would not be possible without our wonderful staff, who give endless encouragement and support to our learners, so a huge thank you from me, to every staff member that has been involved with this opportunity. Good luck to every participant competing, we can’t wait to celebrate your expertise.”
WHICH LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?
