Throughout this term, Weston College have hosted a series of Employer Advisory Boards and Industry Forums across a wide range of sectors. These events play a vital role in ensuring the College’s curriculum remains closely aligned with current and emerging industry needs, helping learners develop the skills, behaviours and knowledge required to succeed in the workplace.

By bringing employers directly into curriculum conversations, the College strengthens partnerships, improves learner journeys, and ensures teaching reflects real-world expectations. From engineering and aerospace to creative industries, health, SEND, and hospitality, each advisory board provided valuable insight that will directly influence curriculum development and future collaboration.

SME Engineering Employer Advisory Board

SME engineering employers from across the region came together at Weston College’s South West Skills Campus for a productive forum focused on strengthening employer relationships and enhancing communication. Discussions centred on improving the learner journey, understanding regional skills needs, and identifying ways employers and the College can work more closely together to support future engineers. The session reinforced the importance of employer input in shaping technical provision that meets local and national demand.

Aerospace, Defence and Manufacturing Forum

Weston College hosted its Autumn Aerospace, Defence and Manufacturing Forum at GKN Aerospace, welcoming key partners including Babcock International Group, the UK Ministry of Defence, Airbus and others. The forum explored the technical skills currently embedded within the curriculum, while also highlighting the growing importance of inclusion, professional behaviours and personal development. Employers shared valuable perspectives on future workforce needs, helping to shape a curriculum that prepares learners for both the technical and cultural expectations of the sector.

Creative Conversations Forum

At Loxton Campus, the Creative Conversations forum brought together employers from creative industries to review and reflect on the current curriculum. Employers shared highly insightful feedback, discussed their ongoing projects, and explored exciting opportunities for learners to gain real-world experience. The session encouraged open dialogue around emerging creative practices and how learners can be better prepared to enter the sector.

Media, Games, Animation and Photography Advisory Board

Weston College welcomed employers from the Media, Games, Animation and Photography sectors to St George’s Hall in Bristol for a focused advisory board, delivered in partnership with the Business West LSIP team. Eight industry representatives joined the collaborative session to discuss creative pathways and workforce needs.

The College opened the event with an overview of its curriculum offer, learner development programmes and future-facing initiatives, before facilitating sector-led discussions on emerging skills, inclusion, industry expectations and opportunities for deeper collaboration. Employers emphasised the importance of core employability skills, professional behaviours, strong portfolios and real-world project experience. The forum reinforced a shared commitment to supporting young people into meaningful creative careers and identified future partnership opportunities aligned to WECA’s Growth Strategy for creative industries.

SEND Employment Forum - In Partnership with North Somerset Council

Weston College also hosted a SEND Employment Forum in partnership with North Somerset Council, focusing on how employers can open doors, transform lives and strengthen their workforce through diversity and inclusion. Discussions explored practical ways to support SEND learners into employment, highlighting the benefits of inclusive recruitment for both individuals and organisations. Plans are now in place for a larger face-to-face forum in Spring 2026 which will also celebrate learner progression.

Digital, Hairdressing, and Hospitality & Catering Employer Advisory Boards

The College proudly hosted three Employer Advisory Boards in one day, bringing together representatives from the Digital, Hairdressing, and Hospitality & Catering industries. These sessions provided valuable insight into sector-specific trends, technologies and skill requirements, ensuring each curriculum area continues to evolve in line with industry needs.

A special highlight of the day was the Hospitality and Catering Advisory Board, where Year 1 learners prepared and served a delicious Caesar salad, showcasing their skills and professionalism while engaging directly with employers.

Health and Social Care Advisory Board

On 12th December 2025, Weston College welcomed key regional health and social care partners to the Health Advisory Board held at the Healthy Active Living Centre. Attendees included representatives from South West Ambulance, Access Your Care, UHBW/Weston Clinical Learning and Development, and AWP Mental Health Trust.

The Board held open and honest discussions around current sector pressures, including staffing challenges, workforce resilience and the importance of strong co-production between education and employers. Partners also provided valuable feedback on broader employability skills such as professional boundaries, accurate record-keeping, and effective communication. The forum explored future workforce developments, including new community-focused roles and apprenticeship pathways.

The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to ongoing collaboration, ensuring Weston College learners enter health and social care careers confident, capable and prepared. The next Health and Social Care Advisory Board will take place in 2026, building on the strong foundations established during this term.

Construction Professionals Employer Forum

By bringing together key employer partners from across the construction sector, including Galliford Try, Octavius, Beard Construction, Alun Griffiths, Morgan Sindall, and Tilbury Douglas, faculty teams were keen to share updates on curriculum developments, apprenticeship routes for 2026 onwards, and bootcamp opportunities. The college is keen to ensure that all learners work alongside employers to gain current and future industry needs. Employers and college representatives are working collaboratively to review how programmes are preparing learners for the realities of the construction workforce.

A central theme of the discussion was Weston College’s skills focus for all learners, emphasising the importance of developing both technical competence and wider employability skills. Partners explored how learners can continue to grow their skills in and outside of the classroom, working closely with employers through placements, live projects, and enrichment activities.

The Board also celebrated the outstanding contribution of employer partners over the past year. Construction employers have been exceptional in their support, providing high-quality placements, meaningful enrichment opportunities, and valuable insight that continues to strengthen curriculum alignment with industry expectations.

Education and Early Years; Counselling

Working closely with North Somerset Council’s Early Years and Children’s Services; the college has worked collaboratively with both teams to support the local community. After the success of the college’s first Sentipensante Project, more stay and play sessions are now being organised and led by early years students for the children's centres. A new baby sensory class has also been developed for local parents and carers and takes place college community room.

Plans are in place to support young people and adults into early years and teaching careers through joint discovery days at the college and through the local job centre networks to showcase pathways into educational careers. Counselling students are also now offering listening services at various children’s centres to support the local community. Due to the nature of education and counselling support, curriculum feedback is arranged through 1-2-1 feedback sessions consistently throughout the year.

Sports Education Employer Forum

This forum will be taking place early 2026.

We would like to thank all employers who attended our employer advisory boards this term, your contribution has been greatly appreciated and will help to shape our curriculum in the best way possible for our current and future learners.

If you are interested in taking part in any future employer forum's, please fill out the form below - 

This months featured Alumni Trailblazer is James McGuinness, a former learner who is now a Label Relations Manager for Youtube! 

James was also our Alumni Impact Laureate winner at this year's Celebration of Success, this celebrates our former students who exemplify the very best of the college community and recognises alumni who have achieved excellence in their chosen career path 

We caught up with James, to find out a bit more about his journey and what he is doing now: 

I studied at Weston College from 2000 to 2002, completing a Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Music Technology. I look back on my time at the college very fondly – the supportive environment and dedicated tutors played a crucial role in shaping my early ambitions and future career in the music industry. They encouraged creativity, independence, and confidence, which helped me grow both personally and professionally.

The two-year BTEC course was intensive and highly practical, offering hands-on experience across key areas of music production. The skills I gained, from studio techniques to business understanding, provided the perfect foundation for my progression to a degree at Bath Spa University. That grounding firmly set me on the right path to navigating the realities of the music industry.

Since leaving the college, I have built a career in artist campaigns, label relations, and digital platform strategy, working alongside major record labels and management teams. I now work as a Label Relations Manager at YouTube Music, collaborating with global artists such as Ed Sheeran, Central Cee, Dua Lipa, and Oasis – a role that continues to challenge and excite me, and one that traces its roots back to my time at Weston College.

This alumni story 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. 

Earlier this month, our Travel and Tourism learners were visited by members of the Jet2 team from Bristol Airport, delivering an insightful talk that gave students a deeper understanding of the roles and responsibilities within a career in aviation. 

During the guest lecture, the team shared their career journeys, explained what it’s like to work in aviation, and discussed the wide range of opportunities available within the sector. Learners also gained an understanding of Jet2’s flight routes and company operations, as well as hearing personal stories that highlighted the passion behind the profession. 

Following this, the Jet2 team completed mock interviews with the Level 3 Year 2 learners, using real questions from Jet2’s recruitment process. Each learner received scores and detailed feedback to help refine their interview techniques and build their confidence. This was a fantastic opportunity for students to gain experience in a real-world interview scenario, preparing them for future careers in travel and aviation. 

In addition to this, Jet2 returned the following week to complete the remaining interviews and offered some learners a second opportunity, enabling them to act on feedback, demonstrate growth, and strengthen their professional skills. This was fantastic for learners to not only improve their interviewing skills, but also see the impact that professional insight can have on the students’ personal and professional development. 

These sessions provided learners with first-hand experience of real-world recruitment, constructive feedback to support future job and UCAS applications, and increased confidence for progressing into aviation roles or higher education. One of our Level 3 Travel and Tourism Year 2 learners, Emily, said: “I was nervous at first, but once the interview started, I felt relieved. It was a fantastic experience that’s boosted my confidence and prepared me for future interviews.” 

At Weston College, we are committed to creating opportunities that connect learners with industry, providing them with essential networking opportunities, and helping them develop the skills and resilience needed for successful careers. 

A huge thank you to the Jet2 team who took the time to visit our students, outline their career journeys, and engage in interviews to help improve our students’ communication and confidence. 

This interactive session forms part of the Travel and Tourism 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.