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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
Weston College is working with West of England local authorities to develop and deliver a bespoke flagship apprenticeship scheme.
The West of England Civil/Highways Apprenticeship Programme is being created with Bristol City Council, Bath & North East Somerset Council, North Somerset Council and South Gloucestershire Council.
The aim of the collaborative approach is to address the current skills shortage while also focusing on finding future employees and growing talent within the unitary authorities.
Liz Redwood, Head of Weston College’s Training Solutions said: “This is an innovative and collaborative approach by the authorities, helping them to address issues around staff recruitment and retention.
“The authorities recognise that the pipeline of major developments coming forward across the West of England and South West, along with the potential impact of the new Hinkley Point C (HPC) development, could exacerbate these issues.”
The bespoke West of England Civil/Highways Apprenticeship Programme has been designed to meet identified joint requirements of the authorities.
It will comprise up to 13 apprentices, across the four authorities. Each apprentice will be employed directly by one of the authorities and will undertake the majority of the apprenticeship there, but will have opportunities to rotate around the four authorities to gain experience in different areas of specialisms. One day a week the apprentices will attend Weston College’s new Future Technology Centre at the South West Skills Campus for further training.
In addition to providing technical skills and experience, the apprenticeships will also focus upon personal development. Each apprentice will work towards a Level 3 Civil Engineering and Technical Support Apprenticeship, which includes units on construction technology; construction and design; science and maths for construction; construction processes and operations; tendering and estimating and exploring civil engineering.
The first wave of vacancies will be advertised on our website from 1st February, with further vacancies being advertised during National Apprenticeship Week (March 14th-18th).
Dr Paul Phillips, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “Weston College is delighted to be working in partnership with the West of England unitary authorities, helping them to deliver a bespoke, pro-active and innovative approach to planning for their future skills requirements.”
A Royal Marine who lost his leg helping a crashed motorist on the M3 visited Weston College to give an inspirational speech to sports and public services students.
Lee Spencer, 47, came across the car accident and began helping the injured driver and passengers using first aid training he had learned during his 24 years in the army.
Suddenly, another car crashed into the vehicle, sending the car’s engine and gearbox flying across the motorway lanes towards him. The impact severed his right leg and dislocated his left.
He used the training he learned as a Royal Marine to instruct a bystander to tie a tourniquet around his wounded leg and got the bystander’s daughter to stop the bleeding by standing on his femoral artery.
He told the students about the impact the accident had on his life, and how he was inspired to help change other people’s lives by raising money through a variety of sponsored walks, marathons and even rowing 3000 miles across the Atlantic Ocean.
He gained a place in the Guinness Book of Records for being part of the first disabled crew to sail the Atlantic raising awareness for Row2Recovery.
Rebecca Ranson, Weston College Section Area Manager for Sports and Public Services, said: “This was a fantastic and inspiring opportunity for the students to find out about life in the army, how to act in an emergency situation, and how the training they're undertaking can help in real-life scenarios.”
When Weston College bought the Winter Gardens for £1 in 2015, nobody could have guessed they'd do this to it...
We didn't turn the pond into a carpark
We cleaned out the pond on day one, and while the fish were on holiday we repaired the lining and installed new fountains and colour changing lights. We released the fish back in September 2017 and plan to plant the area up in 2018.
We didn't turn the ballroom into a lecture theatre
The ballroom has been refurbished, the floor fixed, and repairs have been carried out to the dome. New technology has been installed to bring the building into the 21st century while retaining its 1920s character. The ballroom is available for public booking, and we are already putting on a range of events for the public.
No more Prince Consort Hall
We have transformed the little-used Prince Consort Hall into a series of classrooms and independent study spaces.
There's a new entrance (but it isn't four stories tall...)
To keep the education and public side separate, we moved the public entrance back to the front of the building and turned an ugly 1980s concrete block into the new entrance to the education section of the building.
We've restored the iconic seafront facade
We've completely removed some of the 1980s additions to the facade of the building as well as intrusive signage that spoiled the building's aesthetics. We've installed more-subtle outdoor lighting and replaced all of the windows to make sure they match.
The cafe's more cosy
Leather sofas, booths, quality tables and chairs... The Florentine bistro (opened in October 2017) serves a selection of cakes, hot meals, sandwiches and baguettes.
The decor has had a much-needed update
It's more than just a lick of paint too - new lights, a new colour scheme, and new fixtures and fittings were all part of our plan to restore the iconic ballroom.
The restaurant's been moved
Located in the former Tourist Information Centre, Lasseter's Restaurant and Bar interprets the Winter Gardens' 1920s character with a modern twist. Serving a selection of locally-sourced dishes created by Head Chef Dave Newman, Lasseter's at the Winter Gardens brings together top-quality food and service in Weston-super-Mare's most iconic building.
It's got a new identity
On top of all of the upgrades, enhancements and refurbishment, we've updated the Winter Gardens' logo, designed by a former Weston College and University Centre Weston graphic design student.
WHICH LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?
