The Member of European Parliament for the South West of England and Gibraltar gave a talk at Weston College’s new £880,000 Sustainability Centre.

Julie Girling, a former Chief Whip of Conservatives in the European Union, spoke to members of the local Chamber of Commerce on Friday, November 21^st.

Weston and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce President, Gail Parsons, said: “As a Chamber of Commerce we are well aware of the benefits of European collaboration.

“With major projects like French energy giant EDF’s Hinkley Point nuclear reactor build having a significant positive impact on business across Weston and North Somerset.

“It was interesting listening to Julie talk about how this cooperation works at a national level.”

The bespoke community Sustainability Centre Julie visited opened in October on Weston College’s South West Skills Campus where an £11 million revamp is in progress.

The Locking Road-based building is a high-spec environmentally-friendly property built around an oak frame of natural materials with classrooms and lecture theatre.

Renewable technology includes photo-voltaic cells, ground-source heat pump, and rainwater harvesting system. It is designed to teach the next generation of sustainable construction students and show local people how green technology transform living spaces and saves money.

Other site developments include the Lord Baker Innovation Centre, named after a former Home Secretary, and dedicated to vocational education and skills training.

The MEP’s visit was hosted by Training Solutions, providing apprenticeships, training and development for the over 1400 businesses that the College works with across the region.

Training Solutions Account Coordinator Christopher Batt added: “It was a pleasure to welcome our MEP to Weston College and our new Sustainability Centre.

“Julie gave an excellent description of the makeup of the European Union before taking questions on EU finances, regulation, EU-US trade talks and freedom of movement.

“Interestingly, she said that the European Commission has had a change of emphasis to create jobs rather than progressing citizens’ rights.”

Three lecturers have become Weston College’s first graduates from a Master’s degree delivered in partnership with the University of the West of England (UWE).

Mark Harvey, James Hazzard and Gill Cook were all presented with the award of MA in Education at a graduation ceremony held at UWE.

The first 60 credits (PGCert stage) of the degree were delivered through tutorial sessions at Weston College, with candidates completing the rest of the award through taught sessions at UWE and independent research.           

Mark, who is the Programme Coordinator for degree courses in Uniformed and Public Services, said: “The course fitted well around my work commitments and has enhanced my knowledge. The support from Weston College gave me the confidence to engage fully in the course and embrace the challenges it held.”

James, who teaches further education (FE) and higher education (HE) courses in Sport and has recently taken on a role in HE Quality and Curriculum, said: “The College encouraged and supported me to complete the MA in Education, which was tailored to meet the needs of a full-time employee, focusing on twilight lectures and flexible tutorial meetings. The one-to-one support at the College was outstanding and really helped me to develop the skills to enter the research project phase of the course.

“The course has allowed me to develop research skills that are transferable to a number of areas within the profession, as well as developing knowledge enabling me to further support Higher Education learners at Weston College.

“The course was very challenging but ultimately rewarding, and the skills I have acquired have encouraged me to potentially progress onto Doctorate research and become involved in teaching the MA programme at Weston College and UWE.”

Gill, who is the Programme Co-ordinator for degree courses in Animal and Equine Management and a Tutorial Champion for the Business, Management and IT Faculty, said: “The MA has enhanced my ability to support students through the research process and allowed me to expand my teaching to research-based modules within our Foundation Degrees.

“It has also supported my tutoring at FE level and supported my role as Senior Tutor to guide and advise the Faculty on the most effective way to use tutorial and support systems.

“The course was really enjoyable and the support from Weston College tutors was excellent.”

The degree is now open for applications from suitably qualified members of the public wanting to study the first stage at Weston College. Please contact the Higher Education team at Weston College to find out more: he.unit@weston.ac.uk

Weston College has launched a new three-year law programme for apprentices and top regional legal firm Foot Anstey has already taken on six.

The Business Administration Level 2 with Legal Pathway Apprenticeship can progress to an Advanced Apprenticeship in Legal Services with careers leading to a variety of legal careers.

Weston College Business Administration Coordinator Liz Painter said: “We set up this Apprenticeship in response to requests from legal firms.

“The traditional approach to a legal career via A Levels and university is being challenged by apprentices wanting to earn while they learn.”

The Government recently announced funding for three million new Apprenticeships, and the number of UK apprentices has soared by 73 per cent from 491,300 in 2009 to 851,500 (in 2014?).

Ninety per cent of Weston College apprentices were offered permanent jobs – a 46 per cent increase in filled jobs compared to last year.

The College currently supports 1,200 apprentices and works with 1,400 employers and is the biggest facilitator of Apprenticeship programmes in the region.

With five offices across the South West Foot Anstey is among the UK’s leading law firms with 50 partners and 500 staff and advises regional, national and international clients.

Susie Halliday, Head of Learning and Development at Foot Anstey: “We are delighted to be at the heart of this exciting new initiative which gives young people the opportunity to grow and have long-term careers with our business.  For Foot Anstey it is a great opportunity to develop valuable lawyers of the future.”

The College’s new Training Solutions, based at the South West Skills Campus, Locking Road provides businesses with relevant and flexible training programmes.

The College offers a wide programme of Apprenticeships to people aged 16 and over looking for a new career via training or alternative to A-Levels.

Its Apprenticeship programme can be studied at Levels 2, 3 and 4 and learners progress while continuing to work alongside experienced and skilled staff.

The 50-strong team of work-based learning Assessors work with more than 1400 organisations in the South West.

The College was the first in the South West to launch the Higher Apprenticeship Scheme enabling employees to gain university-level qualifications in accountancy, care and business.

While apprentices receive workplace training they enjoy College benefits including bus passes, gym sessions, discounted driving lessons, hair and beauty treatments.