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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
A Weston College Sixth Form student has won a second award for his work on a Young Enterprise project.
Ilja Voroncovs was recently awarded the Journey Award in the district finals of a Young Enterprise event, and has now won the second stage of the award at the regional finals.
As part of his previous award, Ilja was given a 1:1 mentoring session with Richard Phillips, Director of Three Cherries Limited, who worked alongside Ilja’s tutor Elinor John to help him produce a film showcasing the positive effect Young Enterprise has had on him.
Ilja was then successful in winning the second Regional Journey Award at a ceremony in Exeter, and is now one of just three people that have been selected nationally as finalists for the National Journey Award.
Ilja’s tutor on the project, Elinor John, Lecturer in Photography and Employability Co-coordinator, said: “We are incredibly proud that Ilja has gone on to win a second regional award!
“The Young Enterprise team and all the staff here at the Sixth Form are so pleased that the progress he has made is being recognised. He has come such a long way and is well deserving of this award.”
Ilja has been invited to attend the national final in London on 6 July.
Offsite Solutions, the UK’s leading bathroom pod manufacturer, in partnership with Weston College has launched an apprenticeship scheme to attract new talent into offsite manufacturing.
Offsite Solutions is an important employer in the South West and recently won the Manufacturer of the Year Award at the Business Leader Awards. The company was also a finalist in the Made in the UK Awards in the Manufacturer of the Year category.
Working with its training partner Weston College, the company is looking to employ up to six apprentices who will train to be plumbers, electricians and bathroom fitters at its bathroom pod factory in Highbridge, Somerset.
The company will also be giving up to 10 existing production staff the opportunity to join a new apprenticeship scheme for team leadership and to train as electricians and plumbers. This will give them additional skills and valuable career progression.
Commenting on the new scheme, Steve Dancer, Factory Manager at Offsite Solutions, said, “Apprentices are constantly learning new techniques and bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm into a business which they pass onto their colleagues. This approach fits really well into our commitment to encouraging innovation through offsite manufacturing, to help reinforce our position as the UK’s market leader in factory-built bathrooms.”
“Our aim is for the apprenticeship scheme to provide us with a pool of talented individuals who will benefit from first-hand experience within our manufacturing operations and gain relevant qualifications to help their personal development and maximise their potential. The quality of our workforce is fundamental to the long-term success of our business and our trainees will play a vital role in ensuring we continue to achieve our ambitious plans for growth.”
Ian Porter, Associate Business Development Officer at Weston College, said, “Apprenticeships deliver for businesses, individuals and the economy. They enable young people to gain the skills and knowledge they need to succeed and for businesses, this is a productive and effective way for them to grow their own talent by developing a motivated, skilled and qualified workforce.”
Vacancies are coming soon! Sign up to our Apprenticeship Vacancy Mailing list here, to be the first to hear on available vacancies.
Nearly 30 Year 6 students from Ruishton Church of England Primary School recently spent a day at Weston College South West Skills Campus to get a taste of the construction, building services and engineering provision.
The primary school students took part in a range of engaging activities based on subjects that can be studied at South West Skills Campus on Locking Road. The learners ‘raised the roof’ by learning about how roofs are built and what makes them sturdy. Under the provision of our carpentry staff, the Year 6 students learnt how to safely use tools such as hammers and spirit levels.
Next up the enthusiastic groups got a taste ofcivil engineering and the vital role it plays worldwide. In this workshop they built boats using foil and tested their buoyancy by seeing how many marbles they could carry until they sank.
Last but not least, the group visited the motor vehicle department where they had a look around a fully operational workshop. Their newly learnt skills were put to the test as the students were tasked with replacing tyres on a car and checking the levels of the engine components.
Chris Kamin, Headteacher at Ruishton, commented “The whole day was a resounding success and a joy to be a part of. The College has great staff who showed real care and nurture towards our students. The professionalism and courtesy demonstrated was second to none. The experiences gained and knowledge shared will have a great impact on their future lives and earlier decisions”.
Steve Caldwell, head of faculty for Building, Automotive and Civil Engineering at the College added “It was amazing to see the next generation getting involved and showing such enthusiasm towards these hands on subjects. We look forward to hopefully seeing them again in the future!”
For more information on the courses available in these areas, please visit our website:
Carpentry - https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/construction
Motor Vehicle - https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/motor-vehicle
Engineering - https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/engineering
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