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News and events

We aim to keep you up-to-date with the very latest Weston College news and events. Take a look below at what's going on at the College!

Got news you want to share with us? Email marketing@weston.ac.uk

Latest events at Weston College

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One Message, Different Voices

Take a look at this powerful film made by the staff of Weston College to show how important it is for everyone from different backgrounds to be included. The film shares heartfelt stories and interviews with a diverse group of staff, showing how accepting different identities and backgrounds can make a big difference. Its purpose is to encourage viewers to think about their own biases and work towards making our community more welcoming to all. We invite everyone, regardless of their background, to join us and be a part of our journey toward a more inclusive future.

Halo workplace logo

Our workplace champions the right of staff to embrace all Afro-hairstyles. We acknowledge that Afro-textured hair is an important part of our Black employees’ racial, ethnic, cultural, and religious identities, and requires specific styling for hair health and maintenance. We celebrate Afro-textured hair worn in all styles including, but not limited to, afros, locs, twists, braids, cornrows, fades, hair straightened through the application of heat or chemicals, weaves, wigs, headscarves, and wraps. In this workplace, we recognise and celebrate our colleagues’ identities. We are a community built on an ethos of equality and respect where hair texture and style have no bearing on an employee's ability to succeed.

Hospitality Awards Winner

Weston College’s Hospitality and Catering Career Excellence Hub, has been awarded national success, named as Outstanding Industry Partnerships award winners at The Professional Association of Catering Education (PACE) awards.

PACE is the representative body for hospitality and catering education with a regional and national network of members, and these awards are a celebration of the work that happens on a daily basis in education to develop the future workforce of the hospitality industry.

Weston College was commended for its work during the pandemic, and the opportunities that were created for learners through working with employers, despite difficult circumstances.

Sandra Bull, Dean of Faculty for Hospitality, said: “We are so pleased to have won this award, as it reflects the hard work and dedication of not only our staff, but also our students, who continue to impress us and raise the profile of the work we do.

“Our team doesn’t stand still, and we are always looking to create opportunities that will benefit our learners, and that is demonstrated in this award.

“One of the aspects that we were commended for, was our links with employers, and how we deliver regular masterclasses which offers our learners a unique and exciting way to develop their skills – experiencing a range of techniques. We must thank our endorsing employers who work so closely with our curriculum it allows our learners to learn from their journeys, expertise and experience. But also the importance of experience, whether that be through placements or working live events, which is a key part of our delivery at Weston College.”

A huge well done to the Hospitality and Catering team. If you would like to study one of our hospitality courses, you can find out more information, here.

Hospitality and Catering Department Gains National Success
Owen Davies, engineering student in workshop

The winners of the 2022 Annual Apprenticeship Conference (AAC) Awards have been revealed at a glitzy ceremony in Birmingham, with Weston College being named as the Engineering and Manufacturing Apprenticeship Provider of the Year.

The AAC Apprenticeship Awards are supported by FE Week and AELP (Association of Employment and Learning Providers) and it celebrates apprenticeships across the UK – this year it received a staggering 370 nominations for the awards.

Weston College won the award due to its strong engineering apprenticeship provision, which supports employers of all sizes across the south west.

Joanne Philpott, Vice Principal – Curriculum Delivery and Technical Innovation, was at the awards, and said: “We are so proud of our engineering provision at Weston College, which continues to go from strength to strength.

“This award demonstrates our ethos of creating brighter futures, whether that be for the 500 plus learners we support through apprenticeships in engineering, or the 50 employers we work closely with to supply them with a talent stream.”

Weston College offers ten different apprenticeship standards in engineering, which allows apprentices to train in an array of engineering disciplines, from Aerospace to Composites.

Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, added: “Our engineering provision is constantly defying the odds, from bucking national trends, to delivering fantastic results.

“Something which is particularly important for us at Weston College, is giving everyone that is interested a route into the industry, whether that be NEETs through traineeships, or challenging the norm by welcoming a higher proportion of females into the industry.

“A huge well done and thank you to our engineering team, who continue to impress not just regionally, but nationally too, with this very well-deserved award.”

Find out more about Weston College’s apprenticeship provision, here.

Weston College Scoop National Apprenticeship Award
Luke Merchant Worldskills winner now working for Mercedes

Level 3 Automotive apprentice Luke Merchant has been recognised with an award from the Institute of Motors Industry

(IMI) for his outstanding success as a WorldSkills Silver Medallist as he now accelerates into his career working as a Vehicle Technician with Mercedes! 

Luke Merchant motor vehicle apprentice with award

WorldSkills UK is an independent charity that works with employers, education, and governments, supporting young people across the world via competitions-based training, testing their ability to achieve world-class standards in the biennial ‘skills Olympics’. Over 3,000 learners registered to take part in the UK-wide competitions in March 2021. Luke was awarded the prestigious silver medal at the 2021 automotive technologies finals where he has to compete as one of the top learners in the country. 

After Luke finished his apprenticeship, he then went on to work as a Vehicle Technician at Mercedes Benz, Weston-Super-Mare where he continues his career in automotive technology. 

Luke states: "Working for Mercedes has been great so far. I am really enjoying getting to know all their systems and processes. 

“Winning the silver medal at WorldSkills and my time at Weston College has helped me massively. I'm now more confident in myself and always trying my best to develop and grow my skills." 

Steve Harvey, Head of Business at Mercedes Sytner comments: "Since joining the team here at Mercedes Benz W-s-M, Luke has been doing a fantastic job! 

Firstly, working alongside an experienced Mercedes-Benz technician, so he could understand how the workshop work flows, regarding health and safety, use of the diagnostic equipment and of course meeting the rest of the team. Luke has also got involved with looking at all process’s which are involved when working on our customers cars.” 

Steve continues: "Luke is now working on his own, and we are really pleased with the progress he is making. At present with all the new product coming through from new electric to diesel and petrol and of course the awesome AMG range, it is an exciting time to be joining Mercedes-Benz and the Sytner Group! 

Some of the electric cars which will be coming through are outstanding and have the latest high-tech equipment, safety, and performance packages available, for example the new EQS with the hyper screen.” 

“Luke will now be able to have the full training on these types of vehicles, it is definitely a great time to join our team of very skilled technicians. We will certainly be looking for more aspiring talent to join our team. Luke is an example of what can happen with a tremendous attitude and drive to further his potential during and after completing his NVQ3." 

Weston College’s involvement with WorldSkills is just one of the exclusive opportunities available to learners through their newly launched Career Excellence Hubs. At the College, each subject area forms its own specific Career Excellence Hub, endorsed by relevant sector employers which help to create a study programme with lots of career boosting benefits, which include WorldSkills competing opportunities. 

Congratulations Luke!  

Apprentice Turned Mercedes Technician: Luke Recognised for WorldSkills Win