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
Each year we welcome our new students to the College with a university-style Freshers’ Festival, which is packed full of fun activities.
Here you can find out more about pursuing your interests and talk to businesses about careers. There will be employers, agencies, charities and community groups at the fair, and you will be able to sign up for volunteering, fundraising, sports, clubs and societies.
In previous years we've put on a variety of activities to help you meet the other people on your course and across the College, including assault courses, climbing walls and and bucking broncos.
Worried about enrolment? There’s no need to be. It’s a great opportunity to meet new people and to ask any questions about college.
Enrolment is the last thing to do before starting your course in September. You will receive your college student lanyard, bus pass (if one is needed) and student planner ready for the first day of term. If you’re starting your second year, you’ll have to re-enrol through the same process as before.
You should have received a letter explaining about enrolment, including a date, time and place for yours. If you can’t make this slot, don’t panic – you may be able to rearrange or enrol during the first few induction days at college.
When you turn up to enrol, a member of college staff will take you around, explain what to do and be on hand to answer any questions. You will need to bring a form of ID and your parental consent slip to enter your details into the college system and to register as a college student.
Enrolment is also an opportunity to purchase an optional bus pass to allow you to make use of the public bus services around Weston and beyond.
For some students, enrolment day will also be an opportunity to apply for a bursary (if eligible) and have specific learning assessments to determine whether additional help will be needed for things such as Dyslexia, Dyspraxia etc.
Lastly, you will have a photo taken for your student lanyard and our online systems – so remember to smile!
Here are a list of things to remember for enrolment:
- A form of ID (e.g. Passport, Driving Licence, Birth Certificate)
- Parental Consent Form
- GCSE Results
- Money for a Bus Pass (optional)
Happy enrolling!
Weston College is set to play a lead role in tackling the construction industry skills shortage by opening a brand new industry focused training centre.
The Weston College Construction Training Centre, based just off Junction 21 of the M5, will open in spring 2019 and represents a £3.8 million investment.
It will offer training in three key construction areas – plant operations, scaffolding, and groundworks.
As part of this initiative Weston College has partnered with scaffolding training and safety experts, Simian.
The new centre will increase the availability of Construction Industry Scaffolders’ Record Scheme (CISRS) scaffolding training in the South West. As with most construction trades, the scaffolding industry is currently experiencing a skills shortage and it is expected that the West Wick centre will assist in bridging that gap.
Established in 2005, Simian has cemented their position as industry leaders for scaffolding training and support services. Headquartered in Warrington, the firm now operates a total of four scaffolding training centres in the Midlands, North Wales (Llangefni and Wrexham) and Cheshire, with an additional Centre in east London opening in March 2019.
The new Weston Centre will deliver a large portfolio of CISRS scaffolding courses, which will include new entrant training (COTS), CISRS Part One and Two scaffolding courses, scaffolding Apprenticeships and scaffold inspection training.
Speaking of the partnership, Simian’s Managing Director, Simon Hughes said: “These are exciting times for Simian and we’re delighted to be playing our part in upskilling workers in the south west, as well as providing the opportunity for industry new entrants to obtain the skills and knowledge they need to build a career in the scaffolding sector.
“The increasing levels of UK housing and infrastructure investment mean that the current construction industry skills shortage needs addressing as a matter of urgency and as such, we’re proud to be making Scaffolding Apprenticeships and other vocational scaffolding training available locally in Weston, as this will provide new career opportunities as well as boosting the local economy.”
Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive at Weston College commented: “Weston College has worked hard to identify a strategic partner for scaffolding training at its new Construction Training Centre. We are delighted to be working with Simon and the team at Simian who are nationally renowned as leaders in the field of CISRS accredited scaffolding training and assessment.
"The financial investment to build the Centre has been provided by the College match-funding a successful bid for funding from the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) through the Local Growth Fund, administered by the West of England Combined Authority.”
Chair of the West of England LEP, Prof Steve West, said: “We’re really pleased to support the fantastic new Construction Training Centre at Weston College. This will help to equip our current and future construction workforce with the skills they need to drive forward the building of new homes, business premises and infrastructure as our region grows. It will also help them to secure better career prospects and make the most of the opportunities available right here in the West of England.”
WHICH LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR ME?
