Further education (FE) colleges are an essential cog in the education ‘machine’ in England.

As Principal of Weston College, you might say I’m biased.

But I’d argue that’s given me extensive, first-hand experience of how colleges help people of all ages and backgrounds make the most of their talents and ambitions.

You don’t need to look very far to see the impact Weston College is having on people across the region; from our successful traineeship programme to the thriving sixth form. We mustn’t forget the impact of apprenticeships, and pre-employment – who both support learners of varying ages and truly change lives.

And these are only the direct benefits. If you consider the role colleges play and the influence they have in the wider communities, it’s clear they are driving social mobility and boosting local and regional economies.

This week we welcomed Visit Somerset CEO John Turner to deliver a talk to stakeholders, and he shared how our students are making change happen and to quote John: “we have seen a direct impact on our economy through partnering with Weston College.”

What a fantastic reference, and how amazing are these learners performing to have such an impact! To put it bluntly, colleges matter – to their students, staff and local communities.

However, it’s no exaggeration to say their futures are in jeopardy due to the extensive and continued funding cuts affecting the sector.

For too long the vital work of colleges has been overlooked and underfunded.

The total college income in England has fallen by £1 billion since the start of the decade, which represents a funding cut of around 30%.

This drop in funding has led to:

• Fewer hours of teaching and support for young people
• Course closures
• A reduction in the number of learning opportunities for adults
• The value of staff pay falling by over 25% since 2009
• Job losses and recruitment problems
• College teachers earning £7,000 less on average than school teachers.

The situation is completely unsustainable and we need action now.

Fortunately that action is materialising in the form of the ‘Love our Colleges’ campaign, which is uniting the sector in pursuit of one overarching goal – appropriate funding of further education.

This includes:

• Increasing the 16-19 funding rate by 5% a year for the next five years, and extending the pupil premium to cover post-16 students
• Fully funding a National Retraining Scheme to support Level 3 to 5 skills
• Introducing a lifetime learning entitlement to fund skills training for all adults who have not previously achieved a level 3 qualification.

As well as making the case for extra government funding and fair pay in FE, ‘Love our Colleges’ is also highlighting the great work that goes on in colleges, and the brilliant staff that make it all possible.

Throughout the week we have shared stories for our learners and staff across social media and it makes me proud to read these daily quotes – we really are creating brighter futures.

If you are yet to see these quotes, I would suggest taking a look and see why we advocate fairer funding and love our college.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE,

Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College

A Weston College apprentice is through to the finals of a prestigious skills competition after a stunning display of his catering-related work in London.

Max Bennett, a Level Three Supervisory and Leadership Apprentice , currently works at the Marco Pierre White Restaurant at the Doubletree at Hilton Cadbury House venue in Congresbury, North Somerset.

His hospitality skills and highly professional manner with the restaurant's customers made him an ideal candidate for the 'WorldSkills' event, the largest unique biannual competition in the world involving around 1,000 apprentices and students, aged 18 – 24 in 46 different skill areas.

Max, 18, from Clevedon, travelled to Westminster College in London for the regional finals, pitting his skills against fellow apprentices and students. He was asked to supervise in a professional restaurant setting, which included the serving of a flambéed banana dish as well as carving salmon, serving wine and interacting with the guests.

Max's skills and overall manner has now earned him a place in the WorldSkills UK final in Birmingham in November. If he wins that, he will be off to Rio De Janeiro next year as part of the UK squad.

Max said: “It was a real challenge and quite nerve-wracking. I know I made a couple of mistakes but I think the way I chatted with the customers got me through. I'm really looking forward to the next round and I'd love to be in the team that goes to Brazil.”

Max has worked at Doubletree at Hilton Cadbury House for 18 months. He said: “The staff and my managers have been really supportive, as have Weston College. They're all willing me on to get through the next round in Birmingham.”

Brian Howe, Weston College's Work Based Learning (WBL) Development Coordinator, said: “Max is a great guy and a real credit to his employers. His outstanding success at WorldSkills just proves what you can achieve if you put your mind to it, and at Weston College we'd love to recruit other potential apprentices who feel they could achieve the same.”

A new sensory learning base for students with Profound and Complex Learning Disabilities (PCLD) has been officially opened at Weston College.

The centre is the final part of a £1million investment that provides high quality facilities.

The new base opened its doors to students in September 2014 at the Knightstone Campus in Weston town centre, meaning students with PCLD no longer have to leave the local authority to receive specialist support.

Ben McConkey, the College’s strategic lead in inclusive practice, said: “In the past, students with PCLD may have had to leave the local authority when they finish school to access the specialist education and support they require.”

The Sensory Learning Base provides students with an individualised high quality multi-sensory programme.

Ben McConkey said: “Our programmes will help young people develop the skills to lead a more independent life, access their community and develop and maintain relationships with family and friends through a wide range of sensory experiences and holistic approaches.”

Weston College Principal and Chief Executive Dr Paul Phillips OBE described it as a ‘vital’ facility for the area.

He said: “It’s a far cry from when the College first opened its doors to a small group of teenagers with learning difficulties and disabilities back in 1981.

“We now have more than 1,000 learners receiving support on further education and higher education courses across all sites.

“This is a vital new facility for the local authority that will support some of the most vulnerable young people in our community and I look forward to welcoming new learners to the College.”

“The Sensory Learning base will work in collaboration external agencies to ensure every individual receives outstanding support and positive outcomes.”