We spoke with David Price, Firefighter at Avon Fire and Rescue Service working out of the Children and Young Persons Department, about how Avon Fire and Rescue collaborate with Weston College through a range of programmes designed to help learners launch careers in the firefighting industry!

1. What is your relationship with Weston College? e.g. what services do you offer to our students?

At Avon Fire and Rescue Service we support Weston College with many different areas from Education/Personal Safety to Project Ignite. Our Education Packages can be bespoke to the courses that Weston College are running i.e. Early Years Learners or more in-depth Road Safety, Water Safety, Personal and Electrical Safety for the College and University Candidates.

As part of Avon Fire and Rescue Service, we work in close partnership with Weston College to support the delivery and quality assurance of Firefighter Apprenticeship programmes. Our relationship is built on a shared commitment to developing the next generation of firefighters through high-quality, structured learning that reflects both academic standards and the operational demands of the fire and rescue sector.

We collaborate with Weston College to ensure apprentices receive the right support at every stage, from induction to End-Point Assessment, while also contributing to the continuous improvement of the programme. Together, we’ve created an environment where learners can grow in confidence, capability, and professionalism.

2. Can you tell me about the work you do with our pre-employment learners, such as Ignite?

Project Ignite was a venture instigated by Department for Work and Pensions who then reached out to Weston College. Weston College then reached out to Avon Fire and Rescue Service to see if we could support.

The general idea is that 18-25yr olds who are not achieving in general day to day life can get the help and support that they need. The main focus being that Weston College would support the academic side of the course and Avon Fire and Rescue would support the practical side with activities to enhance the candidate's self-esteem, confidence, teamwork and communication skills through activities that Fire Service Personnel do on a day-to-day basis.

The other part to this is varied locations for carrying out the training rather than being in the same place all the time. The information that the candidates gain from Project Ignite can also enrich their lives and the lives of others around them with regards to safety.

3. What impact do these courses have on the learners, and on Avon Fire and Rescue?

The apprenticeship courses delivered in partnership with Weston College have a significant and lasting impact on both the learners and Avon Fire and Rescue Service. For the learners, these programmes provide a clear, structured pathway into the fire service, equipping them with the technical knowledge, operational competence, and professional behaviours needed to succeed in a demanding and dynamic role. The blend of academic learning and on-the-job experience helps build their confidence, resilience, and decision-making skills.

For Avon Fire and Rescue, the impact is equally powerful. These courses help to develop highly capable and well-prepared firefighters who are trained to national standards and aligned with our organisational values. The apprenticeship model supports workforce planning, succession development, and a culture of continuous improvement. Ultimately, it strengthens our ability to serve our communities safely, effectively, and with professionalism.

4. Can you tell me about the work you do with our Firefighter apprentices?

Working with firefighter apprentices at Avon Fire and Rescue Service is a rewarding and vital part of our service. From the moment they join us at Training School, we support their development through a carefully structured programme that blends operational training with academic learning, in partnership with Weston College. This includes mentoring, providing formative feedback, and helping them embed the knowledge, skills, and behaviours required of a competent firefighter.

As they progress, we monitor their performance through regular reviews, support their workplace assessments, and ensure that their training aligns with both service expectations and the national apprenticeship standard. We also contribute to their preparation for the End-Point Assessment, guiding them through mock scenarios, professional discussions, and final reviews to ensure they’re confident and ready.

The goal is not just to help them pass the EPA but to help them become capable, reflective, and resilient firefighters who can make a positive difference in their careers and in the communities they serve.

5. What types of skills do the Firefighters leave the apprenticeship with?

Firefighter apprentices leave the programme with a strong blend of practical, technical, and professional skills. They’re trained in operational firefighting, community safety, problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication ready to protect life, property, and the environment with confidence and professionalism.

6. How does taking on apprentice's benefit Avon Fire and Rescue?

Apprentices bring fresh energy, diversity, and a strong foundation of skills into the service. They help us grow a future-ready workforce, tailored to the demands of modern firefighting supporting succession planning, resilience, and continuous improvement across Avon Fire and Rescue.

7. Can you tell me about any success stories of Weston College learners who can come to Avon Fire and Rescue for a pre-employment course or an apprenticeship?

After the first Project Ignite we have heard that 2 candidates went on into employment and the rest signed up for further education. We have seen that 1 candidate from the second Project Ignite has reached out to Avon Fire and Rescue Service. Project Ignite is not a way into the Fire Service but more of an insight into the way industry works throughout the Country/World.

There have been many success stories of our apprentices - below is a snippet of a success story of an apprentice firefighter who has proved that you can switch careers at any point in your life if you feel it is right for you:

Outstanding Achievement: Andy Dolman Earns Distinction in Firefighter Apprenticeship

We are proud to celebrate the success of Andy Dolman, our latest apprentice to achieve Distinction across all areas of his End-Point Assessment. Andy’s journey began as an on-call firefighter at Chew Magna while also working as a property maintenance contractor. After successfully navigating the recruitment process, he commenced his wholetime career in April 2022, enrolling in the Firefighter Apprenticeship scheme.

Through two years of dedication, commitment, and hard work, Andy successfully completed his End-Point Assessment, earning an overall grade of Distinction. Now serving at Southmead on Blue Watch, Andy continues to uphold the highest standards in his role, consistently demonstrating the values and behaviours essential to being an effective firefighter. His achievement is a testament to his professionalism, perseverance, and passion for the fire service.

8. What would you say to someone considering a career as a Firefighter?

Being a Firefighter is a highly skilled job that takes on many roles. Day to day training to keep your competencies up together to keep you and your colleagues safe on an incident and to assist with any eventuality that may be put in front of you. Caring for the local community, commuters and businesses through ongoing prevention work.

Hardly ever are two days the same. If you want a career that challenges you, makes a real difference and builds skills for life, becoming a firefighter is one of the most rewarding paths you can take. You’ll grow, you’ll be part of a team, and you’ll help protect and serve your community every day.

The creative industries are evolving at an unprecedented rate. Traditionally, success in fields like design, media, performing arts, and film depended largely on talent and technical skills. Today, however, the landscape is shifting - creative professionals must also be entrepreneurs, capable of marketing their work, managing finances, and navigating self-employment.

A staggering 95% of creative businesses in the UK are micro-businesses (fewer than 10 employees), and over 32% of creative industry professionals are self-employed - double the rate of the broader economy. These figures highlight a growing need for entrepreneurial acumen within creative sectors. But are we as an education provider equipping students with the right skills?

Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW) are answering this challenge head-on, ensuring that our students aren’t just skilled artists, designers, and media professionals—but also capable entrepreneurs. Through our Creative Arts Career Excellence Hubs, we are developing a comprehensive approach that integrates business and entrepreneurship skills into the creative curriculum, providing a seamless educational pipeline that prepares our students for the realities of creative careers.

Embedding Business Skills into Creative Courses

Gone are the days when creative courses focused solely on artistry. Weston College and UCW have woven core business skills—including finance, marketing, contract negotiation, and networking - into our creative programmes. Students are encouraged to think like entrepreneurs, whether they are aspiring freelancers, business owners, or employees in creative enterprises.

Practical skills such as understanding NDAs, writing business proposals, and managing project budgets are integrated into modules, ensuring that students graduate not just with a portfolio but with the confidence to monetise their talents.

Work-Integrated Learning and Industry Engagement

One of the biggest barriers to creative entrepreneurship is the lack of real-world exposure. Weston College and UCW are addressing this through strong industry partnerships, offering students the opportunity to work on live projects, collaborate with businesses, and gain first-hand experience in commercial creative environments.

Through initiatives like industry placements, and employer-led masterclasses, students develop both their craft and commercial instincts. These experiences prepare them for a seamless transition into the workforce or self-employment.

Recent success stories illustrate how we are equipping students with hands-on industry experiences:

• Live Music Performance: Music legend Boris Zamba performed with an alumni band, showcasing the real-world performance opportunities students can experience (Read more).
• Film and Media Industry Insights: Wildstar Films provided a guest lecture on production management, giving students valuable insight into working behind the scenes in the film industry (Read more).
• BBC Studio Visit: Media students explored BBC Studios, gaining first-hand exposure to the broadcast and production industry (Read more).
• Creative Inspiration at the V&A Museum: Fashion, photography, and art students visited the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, enriching their understanding of historical and contemporary art influences (Read more).
• Real-World Graphic Design Experience: A graphic design student created the official logo for the Knife Angel project, demonstrating the impact of student work on public initiatives (Read more).

Supporting the Growth of Microbusinesses and Freelancers

Recognising that many graduates will enter self-employment or start their own creative businesses, UCW and Weston College offer tailored support for freelancers. This includes guidance on pricing strategies, tax and financial planning, marketing, and digital branding—ensuring that students can successfully launch and sustain their creative ventures.

Additionally, networking events, mentorship programmes, and guest lectures from successful creative entrepreneurs help students understand the realities of working in the industry and equip them with the tools to thrive.

The Creative Entrepreneurship Sprint Report, produced by Business West in collaboration with regional stakeholders, highlighted critical gaps in the skills system. Employers across the West of England and North Somerset identified key areas where new entrants to the workforce were underprepared, including financial literacy, leadership, and opportunity recognition.

Weston College and UCW are actively addressing these concerns by ensuring that entrepreneurship is embedded across creative education. However, further collaboration is needed between education providers, employers, and policymakers to ensure that the next generation of creatives is equipped for long-term success.

A Call to Action

To foster a thriving creative sector, all stakeholders must work together:

• To encourage employers to engage with students early, offering mentorship, real-world projects, and work experience placements.
• As an education provider we must continue adapting our curriculum to align with industry needs, emphasising entrepreneurial and business acumen.
• To ask for local authorities and policymakers to support initiatives that make creative education more accessible, ensuring financial and structural barriers don’t limit opportunities.
• To highlight to students and creatives to recognise the value of business skills in their career development and actively seek opportunities to enhance their entrepreneurial capabilities.

Weston College and University Centre Weston are keen to be at the forefront of integrating business skills into creative education. By bridging the gap between creativity and entrepreneurship, we are preparing students not just to find jobs—but to create them.

For employers looking to engage with the next generation of creative professionals—or for students wanting an education that truly prepares them for the modern creative economy—Weston College and UCW offer a first-class foundation for turning passion into a sustainable career.

Last night, our Creative Arts Careers Excellence Hub came together to produce a fantastic preview evening of the Summer Showcase which exhibited the work of our Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW) Creative Arts students, giving them the chance to display their incredible work, not only to their peers and lecturers, but also to their friends, family, members of the public and potential employers. The exhibition will continue to run every weekday between 9:00am-4:30pm until 20th June at Loxton Campus so everyone can experience the creativity and achievements of our students.  

This exhibition consists of a mixture of Arts & Design, Photography, Fashion, Media, Games & Animation, and Graphic Design student work, where they display their amazing Final Projects to not only present their hard work and professional development, but also network with people and gain connections with possible employers.  

Sandra Bull, Assistant Principal for this area commented: “The College’s Summer Showcase celebrates individualism of our students, showing different interpretations and styles in a range of mediums. It allows students to express the background behind their work, the process that accompanies it, and the messages and meanings behind them to create a holistic appreciation for the students and their artwork being presented.”  

“I am so proud of how the student have developed both personally and professionally since September and being able to put on this showcase is just one way for us to celebrate how proud every member of staff is of our students. “ 

On arrival at the preview evening, people were greeted by students serving glasses of Elderflower fizz and canapés to welcome their guests, alongside our Music and Performance students playing live music in the foyer to set the tone of this fantastic celebration.

Throughout the exhibition, there are a range of pieces on display throughout the classrooms, from sculptures and fashion designs, to a gallery of photographs, graphics and artwork. The Media faculty even created their own in-house theatre with popcorn and red carpets to display the fantastic films and Final Projects that the students have been working hard on.  

The event has been displayed extremely professionally, with each classroom acting as a gallery, with artwork and podiums lining the white walls so each student has their own designated space to exhibit their work. Last night’s preview event had a fantastic turnout, with everyone admiring and complimenting the attention to detail that had gone into each piece of work.  

Both the staff and the students worked extremely hard to put this showcase together, giving everyone from all years, levels and disciplines the chance to present their work to the public. Many students were in disbelief at seeing how their projects came together when displayed professionally, feeling proud of their work and expressing their gratitude to have this opportunity.  

Kyle, one of our Level 3 Games and Animation students, shared his thoughts on the event, saying, “Having my artwork being displayed actually feels quite lifechanging and surreal because, a lot of the time, I kept my artwork to myself in fear of judgement, but to actually have it up on the wall like this and seeing it being appreciated has actually changed my perspective on my work.”   

This Summer Showcase forms part of the Creative Arts Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.  

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.