<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>Last year, Weston College started offering local people the opportunity to become coders, through the Coding Skills Bootcamp, which is part of the Government’s Skills for Life initiative.</p>

<p>People from across the South West have taken the course, which gives learners the opportunity to learn Python, as well as developing the required industry skillset and expertise, to help IT organisations automate their infrastructure.</p>

<p>The Bootcamp is open to individuals looking to upskill or develop new skills to change careers, but also to employers who want to invest in their staff through this 12-week development opportunity.</p>

<p>Priya recently completed the Bootcamp at the Bristol Training Institute, and said: “I was looking to change my career, and having already had a background in digital, I wanted to explore coding and this was the perfect opportunity.</p>

<p>“I have developed a range of skills, which are really useful to me, but also in demand from employers; such as software coding in python and data handling.”</p>

<p>The course which lasts 12-weeks, is delivered over one day, and one evening, per week. It is delivered in two locations, with learners having the option to study in Bristol or Weston-super-Mare.</p>

<p>Priya added: “Having the opportunity to study in Bristol was really beneficial to me, as the Bristol Training Institute is in central Bristol and easy to get to. The facilities were also great and I was really impresses with the teachers – they were extremely helpful.”</p>

<p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/computing-and-… you would be interested in studying a Coding Bootcamp, or if you would like more information, click here.</a></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>