An upsurge in the number of apprenticeships arranged by Weston College is being matched by a dramatic growth in vacancies.

In October, the College helped to fill 35 vacancies, a 120 per cent increase on the same time last year and a record for the College.

The areas of business administration and catering/hospitality are particularly busy, with more vacancies cropping up every day.

In addition, Weston College has taken on 10 apprentices of its own in various roles.

James Wilmot, Weston College's Apprenticeship Recruitment Co-ordinator, said: “We've worked very hard over the last 12 months to improve the recruitment rate and that work has really paid off. Vacancies are increasing all the time and show no signs of slowing down.

“The good thing is that these are not ‘low grade’ jobs that have no worth. They are with strongly-performing companies committed to the training and development of all their staff, including apprentices, which shows the calibre of companies we are working with.”

Employers include North Somerset Council and Weston Area Health Trust, along with a wide variety of restaurants, hotels, garages, hair and beauty salons and estate agents.

James describes it as a 'win-win' situation. He said: “Employers get young people who are enthusiastic, eager to learn and willing to show a keen interest. The apprentices gain on-the-job experience, qualifications and an income while they learn.”

Emily Taylor, 18, from Milton, is currently working as an Apprentice Receptionist and Business Administrator at Weston College's Training Solutions in Locking Road.

In her teens she lived in the United States and when her family returned to the UK she wasn't sure what career path to follow. After an interview with Weston College she decided to take up their apprenticeship offer.

“I never thought I'd work in an office,” she said, “but I was attracted by the combination of work and study. Being a receptionist is a much more involved job than I expected, but everyone at Training Solutions is very helpful and supportive.

“I see the apprenticeship as a platform for what I'd like to do in the future. I'd like to be a PA, and maybe go back to America to work. For now, this is a fantastic way of gaining work experience and qualifications at the same time. You're given a lot of support and I can't recommend it highly enough.”
 

For more information about studying at Weston College visit http://www.weston.ac.uk or call 01934 411411. You can also visit http://www.facebook.com/apprenticeshipvacancies for the latest apprenticeship vacancies with Weston College. 

WESTON College has started work on a £1 million development  that will provide state-of-the- art facilities for students with learning difficulties and/or disabilities.

The two-part scheme at Knightstone Campus, to finish in September, includes a dedicated workshop for a range of courses including motor vehicles, painting, decorating, carpentry and bicycle maintenance. 

The second phase will create a dedicated sensory learning base for students with profound and complex learning disabilities (PCLD) and includes specialist classrooms, independent kitchen-dining area and sensory room – the first of its kind in the region.

LInda Burlison, Assistant Principal (Systems and Resources) said: “This is the first time we have been able to totally adapt facilities for PCLD students and it’s wonderful they can now come here rather than have to go out of district.”

Strategic Lead Inclusive Practice, Ben McConkey, added: “The development demonstrates the College’s commitment to partnership working with the local authority, schools and special schools.

“The key element is about involving learners and their circles of support at all stages in planning, managing and shaping their provision from their first point of contact with us.

“We are committed to enhancing our outstanding provision through supporting outcomes that are appropriate for each individual learner.”                                                                                        

Student Matthew Barrett, 18, of Worle, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Matthew will be joining the Preparation for Work and Life programme at the new centre and said: “I was hooked from my taster days at the College. I have already learnt so much here, I love the College.”

His dad, Garry added: “I’d heard of the College’s great reputation and excellent facilities. Without this specialist facility Matthew would have to go to residential college when he wanted to live at home and study locally.”

In 1981 there were just eight enrolments who required additional learning support - now there are 980 Further Education students and 57 Higher Education students receiving various levels of learning support at the College.

All students with additional needs have access to individualised support programmes from a number of specialist support teams including students on the Autism Spectrum, students who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing and students with: Specific Learning Difficulties; ADHD/ADD; Visual Impairments and Complex Learning Disabilities.

Weston College also has a unique facility for people with autism – a 10-bedroom hotel – which is the first of its kind in the UK.

Weston Bay Hotel specialises in support for learners on the Autism Spectrum helping them to access and progress to higher education, independent living and employment.

The resource teaches students to understand and manage their learning difficulties as well as promoting independent living and improved career opportunities.

Weston College is the only centre in the UK which offers their support staff a career structure involving specialism to graduate level.

In 2014 OFSTED graded Weston College ‘Outstanding’.

In addition the Special Education Needs and Review Team stated: ‘The College Support for learning is outstanding; support workers are highly experienced and often very well qualified, with specific areas of expertise such as behaviour management or visual impairment. Links to specialist provision and support agencies are very strong.’

TWO performing arts students from Weston College have been commissioned by a theatre in Taunton to perform their solo shows.

Charlie French and Katrina Titcombe, who are both on the College’s BA (Hons) Performing Arts course, will be performing at The Brewhouse, in Coal Orchard, on Saturday 4th June.

Charlie’s show, Scratch, is a piece exploring who we really are through the words of others. It asks whether words convey identity or just paraphrase the thoughts people hear from those around them.

He said: “'I'm thrilled to have my work commissioned by the Brewhouse Theatre.

“Not only is it fantastic experience for an aspiring actor to see what it's really like to work within the industry, it is also a great encouragement.

“It is because of my training at the Wessex Academy of Performing Arts that I feel I have grown in overall confidence since starting the course and have ultimately matured as a performer, both in terms of my knowledge of performance and the skills that I have learned.”

Katrina’s show, You Are Invited, revolves around a few items of clothing which combine to perform a wedding in 40 minutes.

She said: “I am really excited for my first commissioned show. I think it will be a really good experience and a start to the outside world of performing.

“I think it will be a really good experience and a start to the outside world of performing!

The course has helped me develop my confidence within performing. It's made me explore more of what theatre really is and different ways it can be explored.”

The College’s Higher Education Section Leader in Performing Arts, Ged Stephenson, said: “Performing arts students held a festival of contemporary performance in which each student performed their own 40-minute solo piece.

“The Brewhouse was impressed with the festival and chose two of the performances to be put on at their venue as a double-header.”

The performance will begin at 7.30pm and tickets, priced £5, are available via www.thebrewhouse.net or 01823 283 244.