This month, we’re celebrating Joshua Fiddler, a former Weston College learner who’s now making waves as a Business Analyst at BT. Joshua first gained recognition as our Business Administration Apprentice of the Year in 2017, and his journey since then has been inspiring. 

We caught up with him to learn more about his path and what he’s up to now. 

Joshua completed consecutive Business Administration apprenticeships at Levels 2 and 3 at Weston College. After finishing, he stayed with his initial employer Brabantia for six years, building a strong foundation before moving to BT. 

Over the past four years, he’s taken on various business improvement roles, driving transformation and championing change across the organisation. He chose the Business Administration apprenticeship because it offered a hands-on way to earn while learning and develop practical skills. Reflecting on his college experience, Joshua describes it as “excellent,” highlighting supportive instructors and guidance. 

A standout moment was participating in WorldSkills, which pushed him beyond his comfort zone. He also credits his instructor, Lyndsey Lawrence, for mentorship that left a lasting impression. College gave Joshua both the business skills and the confidence to navigate daily operations effectively. Through his apprenticeship, he gained insights into the logistics industry and began to explore career possibilities. 

While his path wasn’t fully defined at the time, the experience laid a solid foundation for future growth. After leaving college, Joshua progressed within his first company before seeking opportunities in larger organisations. When BT came calling, he embraced the chance to move into the telecoms sector and focus on large-scale business improvement. 

One pivotal moment in his career came during a business restructuring, where he was asked to run daily operations after senior management departures. This intense challenge accelerated his management skills, supported by a mentor who helped him navigate complex organisational change. Agility and adaptability have been central to Joshua’s career, especially in roles driving change. 

He believes these qualities provide a competitive edge and allow success in unpredictable situations. Joshua’s advice to students? Keep an open mind, stay true to yourself, and connect with people – friends, family, and colleagues alike – because opportunities often come from unexpected conversations.

If he could speak to his younger self, he’d say: “Smile more and don’t leave assignments until the last minute!” Joshua credits Weston College with shaping his journey: it gave him the skills, confidence, and opportunities to reach where he is today. 

His advice to current and prospective students is simple: embrace every chance, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to try new things – you never know where it might lead.

Interested in an apprenticeship? Take a look at our apprenticeship opportunities here.

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.

Last month, two of our Level 2 Beauty Therapy students acted as models during a Squad UK International Pressure Showcase at Weston College, giving them an excellent first-hand opportunity to work with Squad UK members and learn from them.  

During the day, Squad UK had a limited amount of time to complete a range of beauty treatments, from full-body clay masks to facials and massages. These treatments were completed on two of our Level 2 Beauty Therapy students, Eve and Aimee, teaching them crucial skills in time management, remaining calm under pressure, and professionally applying these treatments to clients. This was a fantastic opportunity for students to learn through experience and prepare them for a career in the Beauty Therapy industry. 

Squad UK for Beauty Therapy consists of top-performing young professionals and students selected to represent the UK in international competitions like WorldSkills. These individuals undergo intensive training like the Time-Pressure Challenge where they practice advanced treatments, including skincare, make-up, and nail artistry to compete at the highest level. 

Two members of Squad UK were in attendance as judges, Chloe and Maddie, who are former Beauty Therapy students at Weston College and have completed in WorldSkills competitions. Chloe Williams competed in 2018 and became a regional finalist before competing again in 2019 and being selected to be a part of Squad UK. Maddie Hulbert competed in 2024 and was also a regional finalist before competing again in 2025 and placing 3rd in the national final and being selected to become a Squad UK member with the aim of going to Japan. Maddie is still new to Squad UK and was learning the international marking scheme through shadow judging alongside Chloe and Hayley, the current WorldSkills training manager. 

This was a great opportunity for our current students to engage with former students and see the potential progression for them, giving them a broader understanding of the pathways following their course that they may not have previously considered. Maddie and Chloe are a fantastic reflection of what students can achieve when they work hard and take part in enriching activities and competitions like WorldSkills. 

At Weston College, our learners are encouraged to participate in competitions to further their skills, meet likeminded individuals, and connect with industry professionals. This also improves their confidence, communication, and organisational skills which can be transferred to their future careers in the beauty therapy industry. 

Well done to Eve and Aimee for being professional models throughout the challenge where they gained valuable, first-hand experience from Squad UK members.  

This challenge forms part of the Beauty Therapy Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.  

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career. 

Earlier this month, our Uniformed Protective Services students took part in an emergency response simulation to provide them with invaluable, hands-on experience and prepare them for a future career in the emergency and protective services industry.  

This event was a fantastic collaboration opportunity across Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW), with our Protective Services students acting as the respondents, and the HE UAL Level 4 Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics students turning a handful of Protective Services students into gruesome casualties, using fake blood and prosthetics to create realistic wounds and simulate a potential real-world scenario. 

During this simulation, the casualties were given a general back story to answer any questions the responders may have so they are able to investigate the two events being simulated: a gas explosion and a fatal bike collision as a result of a knife crime incident. Students remained in character and took their responsibilities seriously, asking effective questions and reacting appropriately to the information provided.  

This simulation event was a fantastic way for students to experience a real-world emergency scenario in a safe environment and get a glimpse into the questions to ask, the potential responses and discomfort of the casualties and how to approach them, and the challenges respondents must overcome. 

This event was also a great experience for the HE Hair, Makeup, and Prosthetics students, giving them the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge and follow a brief to create designs that would match a specific injury. Not only this, they also got to the opportunity to see how their work transformed the event and made it more realistic and believable, seeing the impact that makeup and prosthetics can have to bring a set to life. 

Students approached their roles as respondents with professionalism and empathy, engaging casualties patiently and compassionately. This not only strengthened their communication skills but also enhanced their leadership and problem-solving abilities. Working collaboratively, they gathered critical information about the situation and effectively applied their classroom knowledge to determine appropriate next steps. 

Nicola Stent, Lecturer in Protective Services, said, “It was amazing to see how stuck-in the students got with this event, asking appropriate questions and treating it with respect and seriousness as they would in their future careers within the Protective Services industry. This was a great way to prepare them for the fast-paced and high-pressure scenarios that they may face in the future. I’d also like to say a huge thank you to the Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics team for bringing the vision to life, creating such realistic and detailed wounds that reflected a real-life emergency scenario.” 

A huge well done to all the students and staff involved in this event, the collaboration is a reflection of the hands-on and high-quality approach to teaching that students experience throughout their course. 

This simulation event forms part of the Protective Services Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.  

Progress to the next level in Criminology and Public Services! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here! 

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.