<p>On Monday, 9th January, participants of the Plant Training Skills Bootcamp were joined at the <a href="https://www.construction-training-centre.co.uk/">Construction Training Centre</a> by Kier Infrastructure and Utilities, Milestones Trust (Part of the M-Group) and Hays Recruitment who are actively recruiting Plant Machine Operators in utilities, construction and infrastructure sectors.&nbsp; Skills Bootcamps are DFE funded short training programmes, no longer than 12 weeks in duration purely for adults 19+.&nbsp; Skills Bootcamps have been designed with employers with a view to close skills gaps.</p>

<p>Each employer gave a presentation providing explanation about their business, live vacancies, salary, benefits, and opportunities for future progression.&nbsp; Following presentation each employer offered initial ‘speed interviews’ with each Bootcamp participant for live vacancies.</p>

<p>The speed interviews allowed Bootcamp participants (who are proactively seeking employment in this field as a direct result of their Bootcamp training) to ask questions and assess suitability before being invited for a formal second round interview.&nbsp; &nbsp;</p>

<p>It was a highly successful day, with many of the learners asking questions to find out more about their potential future careers, as well as lots of very engaged conversations about the logistics of working on site.</p>

<p>A learner currently training to be 360 excavator certified, spoke about why he wanted to the chance to chat to the employers: "I didn't want to be a labourer anymore - it was too wet and cold for me, so I wanted to upskill to increase employability. This is the perfect opportunity to find out what's out there, and be able to discuss with multiple employers what my best route would be."</p>

<p>Louise Greene, Business Growth and Employer Partnership Manger commented on the day, saying: "We're thrilled to be able to &nbsp;introduce newly skilled talent with our partner employers who are navigating skills shortages making impact on the closing of regional skills gaps in industry. learners about their future careers is amazing</p>

<p>The Construction Training Centre, located just off the M5, is a commercial training centre that supports training, refresher training upskilling, and funded training opportunities such as the Skills Bootcamps allowing individuals to access employment in the construction, utilities or warehousing and logistics.&nbsp; As an approved CITB ATO (Accredited Training Organisation) the centre offers CSCS touch screen testing, CITB Health and Safety Courses inclusive of SMSTS and SSSTS, plant training at NPORS and CPCS standards as well as scaffolding and driver training.</p>

<p>Weston College Law learners celebrated their achievements at the Bristol Law Society Awards, which took place at the Bristol Marriott City Centre Hotel on the 3rd November.</p>

<p>The awards were a huge success, with over 200 attendees from across the legal sector in attendance.</p>

<p>From a Weston College point of view, several of our CILEx learners made the final shortlist, which was a fantastic achievement in such a competitive award show.</p>

<p>We also celebrated the amazing achievement of Charlotte, who recently completed her Level 6 Diploma in Law and Practice, and won Support Team Member of the Year.</p>

<p>Charlotte, said: "It’s great to have so many alternative routes into law nowadays - the profession is accessible to such a wide demographic of people. CILEx helps diversify the fabric of our law system and I’m proud to say that I’ve qualified through this route."</p>

<p>Dean of Faculty for Professional Studies, Access to HE and Animal Science, Helen George, said: “We are so proud of our Law students, and it was brilliant to see so many people who trained at Weston College, at the Bristol Law Society Awards.</p>

<p>“We were particularly proud of two learners: Gemma who was a finalist for the Law Student of the Year, and Charlotte, who won Support Team Member of the Year. They have both shown a determination to succeed and have blown us away with their attitude to learning. Well done to them both.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/course-finder?… can find out more about our Law offer, by clicking here.</a></p>

<p>We recently caught up with Caitlin, our wonderful Health and Social Care assessor, who told us about her experience in completing her Level 3 qualification, and how it resulted in a full time job here at Weston College. Here's what she told us!</p>

<p>My role at Weston College is as a <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/healt… and Social Care</a> assessor for 16–19-year-olds and adult learners studying Health and Social Care qualifications. I observe and assess learners either on work placement or in their work setting.</p>

<p>I recently completed a Level 3 Diploma in Adult Care while continuing my previous employment as a senior care worker at a local care village, and predominantly supporting those living with dementia.</p>

<p>I found out about the course through Facebook and had been keen to gain the qualification for a while. I was also promoted to apply as the course was free for me as I did not already hold a Level 3 qualification.</p>

<p>While on the course, we had lessons on the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news/state-art-nursing-simulators-arrive-healt… room</a>, learning how to catheterise patients and a lesson in the lab dissecting pig lungs to learn about the respiratory system. The SIM room and lab are both fantastic spaces for learning and developing practical skills which are invaluable to 16–19-year-olds who are preparing for <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/work-experience?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_m… placement</a>.</p>

<p>Without this qualification, I would not have been able to apply for my role at Weston College. The course also helped me prepare for interviewing. Not all criteria were met though assignments, some were assessed on professional discussions which helped me develop my communication skills on a professional level. The course also helped me with my digital skills, which was fortunate as I had to create a PowerPoint presentation for interview.</p>

<p>I would really recommend and encourage others to study as an adult. I found I was more focussed and committed to the workload and qualification. I initially studied to further my career in the industry and to progress in my previous employment. I never thought that my knowledge and skills could support those in further education. I feel privileged to be able to support those in further education to become fantastic health care workers.</p>

<p>Alongside the Level 3 qualification, I was also able to compete a Level 2 in <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/health-and-soc… </a>which was a bonus as I managed to gain another qualification while studying one. Since joining Weston college as an employee, I am being enrolled in a certificate in Vocational Assessing to further my knowledge in supporting through assessing.&nbsp;</p>

<p>This would never have been possible if it wasn't for the completion of my Level 3 qualification and the support of Weston College - I'm so grateful to everyone who was involved in my journey!</p>

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<p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults?utm_source=mai… out more about Courses for Adults, here!</a></p>