PEOPLE interested in learning new skills and forging new career paths were given the chance to explore Weymouth College.

The college held an open day on Saturday to showcase the courses it has on offer, ranging from A-levels and BTECs to apprenticeships and initial teacher training.

Visitors were given a tour of the departments and were able to talk to lecturers and students.

Entertainment was also provided in the form of demonstrations and live music.

The college, which caters for more than 3,000 students, was inspected by Ofsted last November.

It received a ‘Good’ grade in all six categories inspected, thus receiving a ‘Good’ grade overall.

Kelly Bush, director of curriculum at Weymouth College, said the open day gave them a chance to showcase the whole campus and the facilities on offer.

He said: “It’s an opportunity to highlight to our prospective students all the opportunities available and that our college is a good college.

“It’s just about making sure all students in Weymouth, Portland and Dorset have the opportunity to know they’ve made the right choice.”

Mr Bush said there were a lot of different options for students leaving secondary education.

He said: “For us it is about students making an informed decision about their post-16 education.”

Visitors were given the chance to find out more about different departments at the college.

Laura Summers, head of school for catering, hair and beauty, was showing visitors around The Hix Academy.

She said: “The Hix Academy offers them the opportunity to have a real life working experience.

“They’ve got a fully equipped bar; they’ve got a fully equipped kitchen and they work closely with Mark Hix as well.

“The Hix Academy is growing and it will grow as time goes on.

“We are still getting the message out that we are here and this is what we do. Students love the vibrancy of it.”

Brian Oman, head of engineering, said the college had recently submitted a bid to Dorset LEP. If successful, it could become a centre of engineering and manufacturing excellence.

He added: “Three years ago we had 27 apprentices. This year we have up to 120. You can see how engineering has expanded.”