The winners of the 2025 Somerset Business Awards were announced recently, at the prestigious Winter Gardens Pavillion.

With nearly 400 people from across Somerset in attendance, winners from across industries were announced, including Weston College and University Centre Weston apprentice, Jack Lewis, working at Singer Instruments - who was named as Apprentice of the Year.

Jack who is studying the Level 6 Manufacturing Engineering Degree Apprenticeship, has been impressing throughout his apprenticeship; from streamlining production to improving the design for manufacturability of needle holders.

Jack’s work has resulted in a significant cost-saving for Singer Instruments, which has allowed them to improve production efficiency and contribute to the scalability of the product.

Tracie Leahy, Assistant Principal for Apprenticeship and Skills at Weston College, said: “We are so proud of Jack, he has shown that he is an incredible apprentice with some truly impressive achievements already – we can’t wait to follow his career as he continues to progress within the engineering sector.”

Jack, added: "Winning the Somerset Business Award was a great moment, and it’s been a fantastic journey throughout my apprenticeship. I’m grateful for all the support I’ve had along the way."

If you would like to follow in Jack’s footsteps, you find out more about our engineering courses, by clicking here.

In today’s fast-changing world, access to skills training is more vital than ever. For individuals seeking new opportunities and businesses looking to bridge skills gaps, the Moving Up Project, launched in 2024 by Weston College and North Somerset Council, is making a real impact.

Funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund as part of the government’s £2.6 billion levelling-up agenda, Moving Up is designed to empower individuals and businesses through three targeted strands:

1. Youth Moving Up – Helping 16-24-year-olds overcome barriers to education or employment with one-on-one Key Worker support.
2. Not in Work Moving Up – Supporting unemployed adults over 19 through tailored guidance, group sessions, and structured interventions.
3. Moving Up in Work – Upskilling existing employees through accredited and unaccredited training, strengthening both career prospects and business capabilities.

Training That Makes a Difference

Through Moving Up in Work, Weston College has worked closely with SME employers across all sectors to deliver targeted training, including:

• Digital skills
• Administration
• Understanding Autism & Neurodiversity
• Hidden Disabilities Awareness
• Mental Health First Aid Training & Refreshers
• Manual Handling & Moving of People
• Food Hygiene
• Team Building & Positive Culture Development

Recognising high demand for mental health and first aid training, the programme has facilitated six cohorts of Mental Health First Aid England training (80 individuals trained) and six cohorts of Emergency First Aid at Work (65 individuals trained).

Tangible Impact

Since its launch, the Moving Up Project has supported over 240 individuals and 50 businesses in North Somerset across sectors such as childcare, healthcare, hospitality, construction, and business services. By addressing training needs, businesses have gained stronger, more skilled teams, while individuals have broken through barriers to achieve career success.

Overall, the project has been a resounding success, benefiting both individuals, businesses, and the wider community overall outputs successes is at a healthy 111% and outcomes at 117% against the original targets.

Investing in People, Building the Future

The Moving Up Project is more than just training—it’s about transformation. It empowers individuals with the tools to succeed, boosts confidence, and fosters economic resilience. By bridging skills gaps and supporting career development, Weston College and North Somerset Council are helping individuals and businesses thrive.

Demand for the services offered by Moving Up remains strong, with steady enrolment numbers under our similar provision model, Solutions. Our team are committed to promoting engagement, personalised progression, and positive development activities.

If you or your business could benefit from training and upskilling, now is the time to take action. Together, we can continue transforming lives—one opportunity at a time. Please email employers@weston.ac.uk to access support.

Louise Greene

Business Growth and Employer Partnership Manager

The Student Conference was a special celebration dedicated to the Student Executives and Student Representatives, recognising their hard work, dedication, and the positive changes they have helped put in motion throughout the year. It provided an opportunity for student representatives, key college leaders, and selected learners to come together, share ideas, give feedback, and help shape the future of the college. 

The day began with a welcome talk from Pat Jones, Principal and CEO of Weston College, who expressed thanks to the students for their efforts and acknowledged the changes they had driven within the college. Pat highlighted the importance of student voice and the impact of their contributions. 

Niya Thomas, the newly elected Students’ Union President, introduced herself next as well as the Student Executive team. She gave an overview of their individual roles and the dedication each member puts into their work. Niya's introduction was a reminder of every initiative the Students’ Union takes on. 

The event then welcomed guest speaker Adz Khan, whose inspirational story captivated the audience. He shared his incredible journey, from being falsely convicted for a crime at just 16 years old under the Joint Enterprise law and spending 7 years in prison, to educating himself in prison and becoming a successful business owner and motivational speaker. His session, titled My Kind of Criminal, explored his hardships and the lessons he learned along the way. 

Adz emphasised the importance of resilience, persistence, and staying positive, no matter the challenges faced. He spoke about his setbacks and how those experiences shaped his strength and character. “A setback is the setup for a comeback,” he told the students, encouraging them to view obstacles as opportunities. 

Throughout his talk, Adz left students with powerful reminders about success and positivity, “B+ is not my blood group, neither is it my grade in maths. It’s my favourite quote – be positive.” He reminded everyone that where you start doesn’t determine where you’ll end up, and success comes from consistency, resetting, and never quitting. 

Following the morning’s lectures, students enjoyed a buffet-style lunch made by the Level 2 Hospitality and Catering learners, giving the Student Reps and Executives time to relax and connect with peers from different campuses. 

The afternoon session began with a Student Values activity, where students reflected on what mattered most to them, ranking values to better understand what drives their decisions and ambitions. 

Vice Principals Ben Knocks and Edd Brown then led the next part of the conference, introducing the ‘You Said, We Did’ campaign. This session focused on strengthening the learner voice by reviewing the changes already made based on student feedback and exploring how the system could improve further. Students were given the opportunity to share their views, helping ensure that their input continues to shape the college’s future. 

The conference ended on a celebratory note with various student awards presented, recognising exceptional efforts within the Students’ Union and the wider community. Whether through hard work, leadership, or going above and beyond, students were applauded for their impact and dedication. 

Final thanks were given to the Student Engagement team, staff members, and most importantly, the students, for their commitment to their roles and the college. The Student Conference allowed students to connect, be inspired, and continue their journey of making a difference with the power of student voice.