Did you know that we offer pre-employment training to people that don’t have qualifications, and may not have any experience?

We asked our Referral Advisor for the Pre-employment team, Emma Crandon, some questions to give a better understanding on what they offer.

Where are you based?

I am based at Weston College’s South West Skills Campus, but I also visit the Weston-super-Mare Job Centre every Tuesday, Clevedon Job Centre every other Thursday, and hold sessions at the local food bank as well.

What support do you offer?

We offer a wide range of courses, and they are free to people that are unemployed, receiving benefits, or in a job earning less than £16,009.50 per year. These courses are beneficial in many ways; you can upskill, build confidence, open up employment opportunities and most importantly – become more employable.

How can people access this support?

The support we offer, is very easy to access. Job coaches are aware of our courses, and they can always refer you to a course that will benefit you. I also visit the Job Centres, so feel free to come and say hello or book an appointment and we can chat about ways to support you.

If you would like to get in touch, you can call me on 07580857699 or email me, emma.crandon@weston.ac.uk.

Why should people get in touch and ask for support?

If you are unemployed and looking for work, we can help you to gain qualifications and the confidence needed to find a job. We try and run our sessions during school time, and we also offer one to one support.

What has been your highlight of the job?

When you see people that have been out of work for years, their confidence is usually really low and they feel like they are unemployable. Helping these people gain skills, confidence and progress into jobs, is a specific highlight of my job.

Is there anything that you would like to add?

If you are interested in any of our courses please get in touch with me, and I will be happy to help.

You can find out more about our pre-employment courses, by clicking here. 

Adults from across Bristol are invited to a free workshop being organised by Training Solutions this month (January) to help them find Apprenticeships with employers.

People aged 16 and above can attend the workshop, which will take place on Thursday, January 29 at Connexions in Bristol city centre, to find out about the Apprenticeship programme run by Training Solutions, prepare for interviews, be more confident and gain overall job search skills.

Anita Al-Zamily, Employer Liaison Officer at Training Solutions, explained: "We are hosting the Apprenticeship workshop on January 29 from 1.30pm until 4pm at the Connexions on Colston Avenue to give people an overview of the Apprenticeship course as well as helping them learn how to find a job and working on their interview skills, which will stand them in good stead for getting an Apprenticeship.

"We are hoping it will help those who are keen to do an Apprenticeship to secure employment with businesses in the area. Those wishing to attend the workshop need to book a place by either calling me on 01934 411573."

Apprenticeships are work-based training programmes, which means the majority of an Apprentice's training takes place in a practical way, directly in the workplace.

All Apprenticeship training will lead to nationally recognised qualifications designed to meet industry standards. Tuition fees for eligible adults are paid for by Government funding.

In Bristol and Somerset organisations and companies who want to develop their staff and their businesses are signing up for Apprenticeship programmes in partnership with Training Solutions. Cadbury House Hotel, Health Club and Spa in Congresbury near Bristol is one of the businesses benefiting from the relationship.

Laura Pengelly from Cheddar, James Day from Clevedon and Andrew Woodley from Worle are all undertaking Apprenticeship programmes and have all recently received job promotions at the Hotel.

Mark Veale, Head Chef at Cadbury House, said: "Laura, James and Andrew are doing exceptionally well in their jobs and have all deserved their promotions. They have handled the pressure of being given extra responsibility in their jobs and have performed better.

"I am very pleased with the structure of their training provided by Training Solutions. They are training on-site at Cadbury House, which means they are learning and improving their skills in a ‘real kitchen' situation.

"Another benefit of their Apprenticeships is the opportunity to gain a qualification. The training provided by Training Solutions has had a beneficial impact on the development of the hotel's staff. There is a long-standing relationship between Cadbury House and the College."

Training Solutions work with more than 1,000 businesses and organisations supporting them to achieve significant improvements in overall performance. It does this by helping businesses maximise their performance of one of their most expensive resources - their people.

Training Solutions also offers a wide range of flexible, business-related training, development and consultancy services including qualifications, professional development workshops and coaching and mentoring programmes.

If you are interested in attending the Apprenticeship workshop, which takes place at Connexions on Colston Avenue in Bristol on Thursday, January 29 from 1.30pm until 4pm, please call Anita Al-Zamily at Training Solutions on 01934 411573 to book a place.

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.”