<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">This month’s featured trailblazer is Georgia Ferdinando, a former learner, apprentice and staff member at Weston College, who is now a Schools Coordinator for the City Football Group, representing Manchester City Football Club in Abu Dhabi.&nbsp;</p><p>We caught up with Georgia, to find out about her journey, and what she is doing now:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What did you study at Weston College?</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>I completed two courses at Weston College; first, a <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science</a>, followed by a Level 3 Community Sport and Health Officer Apprenticeship.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>During my apprenticeship, I worked at the college as the Women’s Football Development Officer, before progressing into a full-time position as a Sport and Wellbeing Engagement Officer.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>How has that helped you get to where you are today – what has your journey been like?</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Studying sport at Weston College provided me with the core knowledge, skills, and behaviours essential for a career in coaching and sport development. It gave me a strong foundation in both the theoretical and practical aspects of sport, while also helping me to grow in confidence and professionalism. Those experiences have been invaluable in shaping the coach I am today.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What is your favourite thing about your role?</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>My favourite part of the job is building meaningful relationships with both staff and students in the schools I work with. I love being able to connect with young players through our shared passion for football and to support them as they develop both on and off the pitch. Seeing their progress and enthusiasm is incredibly rewarding.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What piece of advice would you give to people looking to follow in your footsteps?</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>My advice would be to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Step outside your comfort zone, try new things, and don’t be afraid to take risks. Every new experience is an opportunity to learn. Also, build your network — put yourself in situations where you can meet new people, make connections, and learn from others in the industry.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Is there anything else you’d like to add?</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone at Weston College who supported and believed in me throughout my journey. You’ve played a key role in my growth; not only in my professional development but also in my personal confidence and self-belief.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">This alumni story forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport… &amp; Fitness</u></a><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; </a>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. &nbsp;</p><p>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/computing-and-digital-technolo… &amp; Digital Technologies</u></a>! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></a> 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. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>Click here!</u></a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>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 </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. 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.&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p><span data-teams="true">Weston College was delighted to welcome back its alumnus, <strong>Dave Trevaskus </strong>(now Head of Retail Training at the </span><a href="https://www.lego.com/en-gb/aboutus/lego-group"><span data-teams="true"><strong>LEGO Group</strong></span></a><span data-teams="true">), for a full day of workshops on Thursday 2nd of October. Dave’s visit brought energy, insight, and a genuine sense of connection as he shared lessons from his own journey and encouraged learners and staff to see every challenge as a stepping stone and to encourage a playful mindset.</span></p><p><span data-teams="true">Dave’s sessions revolved around three core themes: <strong>learning through play, sustaining curiosity, </strong>and<strong> embracing bravery.</strong> Drawing on more than 30 years of experience, he made it clear that real-life careers seldom follow a straight line, and that’s okay. He stressed how powerful it is to push beyond your comfort zone, because that’s where growth happens.</span></p><p><span data-teams="true">In his talk (featured in the video), Dave said, </span><em><span data-teams="true">“If you don’t make mistakes, you won’t create anything new.” </span></em><span data-teams="true">He reminded the audience that mistakes aren’t signs of failure, they’re part of the process. He also urged everyone to </span><em><span data-teams="true">“be curious first, and confident later”</span></em><span data-teams="true"> to ask questions, experiment, and let that spirit guide your next steps.</span></p><p><span data-teams="true">Dave opened the day with a playful but meaningful quiz, helping participants explore the LEGO Group’s history and values while also giving a peek into his own professional path. It sparked laughter, curiosity, and healthy rivalry - the quiz champion walked away with a special LEGO set.</span></p><p><span data-teams="true">One of the standout challenges had groups using just six LEGO bricks to build a duck. Despite everyone having the same minimal materials, the results were wildly varied. That playful exercise drove home a serious point: <strong>our perspectives differ, </strong>and that <strong>diversity is a strength. </strong>It showed how creativity, and the courage to try something unexpected, can turn the same raw materials into wholly unique outcomes.</span></p><p><span data-teams="true">Throughout the workshops, Dave returned repeatedly to his message about mistakes. He said, </span><em><span data-teams="true">“Don’t be afraid to break things - break assumptions,”</span></em><span data-teams="true"> and encouraged the group to reframe errors as experiments rather than missteps. In doing so, he helped foster a culture of resilience, curiosity, and more daring thinking.</span></p><p><span data-teams="true">Dave commented that for him the visit was more than a speaking engagement, it was a chance to return and to stir excitement and possibility in the next generation. His passion for lifelong learning, creative thinking, and courageous action resonated deeply, leaving attendees energized and more willing to lean into uncertainty.</span></p><p>&nbsp;</p><blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width:605px;min-width:325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@westoncollege/video/7556974252814109974&quot; data-video-id="7556974252814109974"><section><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@westoncollege?refer=embed&quot; target="_blank" title="@westoncollege">@westoncollege</a> Weston College alumni, Dave, has made his way back to Weston College to host multiple workshops for both learners and staff about his career journey, learning through play and his role at @lego <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-WestonCollege-7556974283492…; target="_blank" title="♬ original sound - WestonCollege">♬ original sound - WestonCollege</a></p></section></blockquote><script async="" src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script&gt;

<p>It is vital that businesses keep their workers up to date with the latest industry trends and skills, and this is key for businesses in the automotive industry, where the likes of electric vehicles are constantly evolving and expanding.</p><p>To help automotive businesses with upskilling their staff, we offer <strong>Skills Bootcamps for Electric Vehicles, </strong>funded by the <strong>West of England Mayoral Combined Authority. </strong>This Skills Bootcamp runs over <strong>10 weeks </strong>(day release, <strong>1 day per week</strong> for 10 weeks) and equips staff with the technical knowledge and practical skills to confidently and safely maintain and repair electric and hybrid vehicles.</p><p>On completion, learners will be able to work safely on electric/hybrid vehicles and carry out essential tasks including<strong> high-voltage system repairs, data recording,</strong> and <strong>recommending maintenance solutions.</strong> The Skills Bootcamp includes a blend of classroom-based and hands-on workshop learning, preparing participants to meet the demands of the fast-evolving electric vehicle (EV) market.</p><p>Our Skills Bootcamps have paved the way for numerous inspiring success stories, and one standout example is Jack Goodall and <a href="https://www.aandd4x4.co.uk/">A&amp;D 4x4 Ltd.</a></p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ALkS_0ZZ34g?si=BiGkRG_6aFVhLhqw&quot; title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> &nbsp;</p><p><a href="https://www.aandd4x4.co.uk/">A&amp;D 4X4 </a>is an automotive company focused primarily in the Land Rover market, which increasingly involves hybrid and electric vehicle technologies. As the automotive industry shifts towards greener alternatives, it has become crucial for their technicians to possess skills in maintaining and repairing electric and hybrid vehicles.</p><p>Jack Goodall participated in the Electric Vehicle Skills Bootcamp, where he gained valuable, up-to-date knowledge and hands-on experience with these emerging technologies. Since completing the program, Jack has integrated the skills and insights he acquired into his daily work at <a href="https://www.aandd4x4.co.uk/">A&amp;D 4X4</a>, greatly enhancing the company’s capability to service modern electric and hybrid Land Rovers with confidence and expertise.</p><p>During his time on the course, Jack covered a wide range of topics including:</p><ul><li><em>Health and Safety Protocols</em></li><li><em>Isolation &amp; Lockout Procedures</em></li><li><em>Electrical Engineering Fundamentals for Electric Vehicles</em></li><li><em>Electrical Theory</em></li><li><em>High Voltage Battery Charging System Theory</em></li><li><em>HV System Repair &amp; Rework</em></li><li><em>Fault Diagnosis</em></li><li><em>High Voltage Battery Removal</em></li><li><em>Module Disassembly</em></li><li><em>Testing and Replacement</em></li></ul><p>Our next Electric Vehicle Skills Bootcamp will begin on <strong>16th October 2025.</strong> <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/automotive/ski… find out more, click here.</a></p>