Weston College recently welcome Oz from Galliford Try, who delivered an engaging and insightful session for our Supported Employment learners - bringing the world of Construction and the critical importance of Health and Safety to life in a memorable way.

Using cutting-edge 360° virtual reality headsets, learners were transported to a live construction site, where they could experience real-world scenarios in a safe and immersive environment. This innovative approach helped them to not only identify potential hazards, but also understand the practical steps needed to manage and mitigate these risks effectively. It offered a dynamic and impactful alternative to traditional classroom-based health and safety training.

The session proved to be valuable and well-received by our SEND learners, with one learner saying, “It was so much better than learning about health and safety through reading or online modules. Being virtually on-site really helped me understand the consequences of poor health and safety - I felt like I was in the shoes of a real construction worker.”

We are grateful to Oz and the team at Galliford Try for providing such a unique learning experience to our learners. It’s opportunities like these that inspire our learners and equip them with the confidence and practical awareness needed to thrive in real workplace environments.

Weston College Protective Services are thrilled to announce a brand-new course for September 2025, the Level 1 Outdoor Adventure Course. This is an active, adventurous and practical course that will give students an unforgettable experience and lay the foundation to become part of the future generation of Protective Service workers. 

Uniformed Protective Services (UPS) is a diverse and fast-paced course, allowing students to explore the different career opportunities within the Armed Forces. This dynamic course is perfect for students who want to work in a hands-on environment, improving their fitness and stamina, whilst developing their transferrable lifesaving skills. 

The new Level 1 course will be led by one of our Protective Services lecturers, David Usher, who currently teaches some of the Level 1, 2 and 3 courses, with a professional background in the Royal Air Force Regiment. 

What is the Level 1 Outdoor Adventure Course? 

This course offers a year filled with adventure, personal growth, and unforgettable experiences. Our Level 1 Protective Services course is ideal for anyone seeking to build confidence, gain practical skills, and deepen their understanding of the roles in Protective Services. Whether you're finishing school, exploring a new direction, or seeking a fresh challenge, this course is the perfect starting point. 

You will be studying units such as navigation and map reading, teamwork and leadership, outdoor first aid, expedition planning, rock climbing and water-based activities. In addition, you'll engage in exciting activities such as coasteering, climbing, and kayaking, whilst getting the chance to connect with employers and serving personnel across various sectors, such as the fire service, military, and prison service. 

Why choose this course? 

This course offers a highly practical approach compared to other courses at the college, providing an excellent opportunity to develop essential skills like leadership, teamwork, and confidence. It offers many hands-on and immersive activities outside of the classroom, providing a solid foundation for the different Protective Services career options.  

If you're uncertain about your path in college, this Level 1 Outdoor Adventure course will help you explore a variety of career options while offering a year filled with exciting activities and experiences throughout your time with us. 

Weston College is proud to continue its collaboration with leading healthcare technology firm Epic, following the recent approval for the company’s new European Headquarters to be developed on the green belt near Long Ashton. 

The approved plans, which promise to deliver more than 2,000 high-quality jobs and inject an estimated £140 million into the regional economy each year; represent a significant investment in the future of North Somerset and the wider West of England.

Weston College has been working in partnership with Epic over the past few years to ensure this growth is underpinned by a strong and inclusive skills strategy. Working together to create new education and training pathways that will equip local residents, including school leavers and adult learners; with the qualifications and experience needed to thrive in this fast-growing life sciences sector. Weston College is excited to support the development of this world-class campus by aligning our curriculum and apprenticeships with the emerging skills demands in health tech, data science, and digital infrastructure.

This investment has the power to inspire the next generation of scientists, engineers, developers, and project managers; with routes into employment being created right here in North Somerset. Our mission is to ensure that these opportunities are accessible to all learners, regardless of background, ability, or starting point and look forward to deepening our partnership with Epic. We want to work closely with employers, councillors, and community leaders to ensure that this development delivers lasting social and economic benefit for the people of North Somerset, not just in jobs and investment, but in aspirations, skills, and futures.

On Wednesday 16th July, businesses in North Somerset are invited to attend an event at the Winter Gardens Pavillion in collaboration with Epic, Gilbert-Ash, and North Somerset Council. The aim of the event is to open doors for growth, strengthen local supply chains and procurement opportunities through collaboration on the Epic Campus project.

This event will provide small and medium-sized enterprises from the construction industry and supporting services the chance to introduce and explore supplier and contracting opportunities and build lasting partnerships.