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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 has successfully managed to achieve its target of 200 apprenticeship pledges in just 71 days.
Following on from previous successful campaigns, the College decided to raise the bar and launch the ambitious attempt to create 200 apprenticeship places for students across the South West in just 100 days.
With 75 days having past, the College has managed to achieve 211 apprenticeship pledges with 25 days left to continue to create opportunities. Among the businesses that have pledged are Yeo Valley, the NHS, Poppy’s Homecare and NK Sports.
The pledges have taken on a diverse range of apprenticeships, across professions such as: customer services, adult care, business administration, commis chef, IT and management.
One firm that has pledged is Bristol based software and technology company One Big Circle. Emily Kent, Director of One Big Circle, said: “Thanks to Weston College’s 200 in 100 campaign we now have a fantastic Software Developer Apprentice in place, recruited from an excellent field of candidates.
“We were impressed with how the whole process was managed and supported, and we hope to recruit other apprentice roles through the College in the very near future.”
Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said: “We are thrilled with the achievement of reaching this ambitious target with so much time to spare.
“At Weston College we aim to create brighter futures and this campaign is further proof of that as we are helping young learners take their first step onto the jobs ladder.
“The skills gap is a hot topic for businesses at the moment with employers wondering where their future work force is going to come from, but through this campaign we have been able to source talented apprentices with businesses across all sectors.
“Throughout this campaign we have built new relationships with employers, and I look forward to these progressing further in the future. Thank you to all of our employers and regional partners for supporting such a valuable initiative.”
You can keep an eye on the campaign’s progress across social media, with #200in100 being used on Twitter.
There is still time for you to pledge to take on an apprentice in the campaign, click here. You can also email the apprenticeship team at apprenticeships@weston.ac.uk or call on 01934 411 594.
Deciding what to do and where to go after school can be a difficult decision to make, but at Weston College we offer so much variety that we have fantastic courses for everyone.
If you’re looking to pursue a media course, we are confident that we have the best options on offer for you, and we know that we are the best place to study media. Keep reading to find out why...
Eight new apprentices have started Passenger Carrying Vehicle (PCV) apprenticeships through Somax at Weston College with a company in Swindon.
Barnes Coaches have taken on eight new apprentices, who will learn how to drive buses and coaches and gain their licences, along with valuable experience in the industry thanks to Somax’s driver training apprenticeships.
The company, which is the largest and most modern operator in the area, currently have 40 vehicles and specialise in coach hire, holidays and day trips. They have previously employed apprentices in other areas of the business, but these will be their first driver apprentices and they are keen to continue employing drivers through apprenticeships in the future.
Matt Barnes, Managing Director of Barnes Coaches, said: “I have been looking for ages for apprenticeships for drivers. When I found Somax at Weston offering PCV apprenticeships I organised a meeting. As soon as I met up with Simon [Werkshagen, Somax at Weston], I knew it was the right way forward for us!
“All our new apprentices are really keen to get started, and hopefully they’ll really hit the ground running when they pass their tests.”
Simon Werkshagen, Head of Operations and Business Development at Somax, said: “We’re thrilled to have built a new partnership with Barnes Coaches, and for our first PCV apprentices to have officially started.
“Apprenticeships can offer a lot for businesses who don’t want to go down the traditional driver training route and are a great way for employees to gain new qualifications and skills while getting valuable experience with a business.”
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