University Centre Weston (UCW) and the University of Worcester (UoW) have formed a partnership to deliver a brand-new Paramedic Degree Apprenticeship in collaboration with the South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT).

This partnership is built on shared values and a strong commitment to supporting the local community. Both institutions have a well-established reputation for academic excellence and a deep understanding of local needs and skills gaps. This development reflects the shared vision for high-quality, community-focused education.

This degree apprenticeship is accredited and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (subject to final approval from HCPC). The programme aims to train people to become Paramedics working with SWASFT, giving them the skills and behaviours to thrive in this challenging environment. When the course is complete, learners will be able to apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Registered Paramedic. To celebrate this new venture, representatives from UCW, UoW and SWASFT came together for an event to tour the facilities at UCW.

Examples of modules that will be studied through this degree apprenticeship are:

• Anatomy and Physiology 
• Applied Sciences for Paramedics
• Person-centred Paramedic Practice Skills
• Simulation and Professional Practice Leadership
• Complex decision-making in Paramedic Practice

The University of Worcester’s academic excellence and their student-focused approach align perfectly with UCW’s own ethos. UCW look forward to exploring further programme development opportunities with them, expanding our reach beyond the local area while maintaining our focus on student success and community impact. This collaboration marks an exciting step forward, and we’re proud to be working with a partner that shares our commitment to educational excellence and community development.

Dr Helen Scott, Head of the School of Health and Wellbeing at the UoW said “We are delighted to be working with UCW and SWAST to bring this new opportunity for people in the South West to train to become a paramedic. The University of Worcester has an outstanding reputation for educating health professionals and has a deep commitment to inclusion and helping people to fulfil their potential. We hope this new partnership will deliver many more opportunities in the future.”

This new apprenticeship forms part of the Healthcare Careers Excellence Hub. University Centre Weston has ten sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields. 

To find out more about this new degree apprenticeship, click here.

Two of our ESOL learners, Romina and Glenn, have been taking part in a weekly Hospitality Course at Loves Cafe. This fantastic initiative, a collaboration between the community and North Somerset Council, aims to support refugees and asylum seekers by equipping them with essential skills to help them gain employment in the hospitality sector.

Throughout the course, our learners have been developing their customer service expertise, learning key terminology relevant to hospitality roles, practicing how to take orders efficiently, and getting hands-on experience using card machines. To build their confidence and practical skills, they have engaged in role-play exercises, taking turns as customers and waiters/waitresses to simulate real-life working environments.

Beyond customer service, the learners have also gained valuable knowledge in food hygiene, food allergies, reading menus, and processing orders. In the coming weeks, they will have the exciting opportunity to enhance their skill set further with barista training, delivered by Radical Roosters Bristol Coffee Roasters.

One of our learners, Glenn, joined the course with the ambition of securing his first role in hospitality. Through his hard work and dedication, he has grown significantly in confidence, and he is now planning to apply for a Hospitality course at Weston College to further develop his skills and take the next step in his career.

Meanwhile, Romina has demonstrated incredible personal growth throughout the course. Her commitment and passion for both learning and contributing to the community were recently recognised when she won the ‘Above and Beyond’ award at our Student Conference!

We are excited to see our learners continue to integrate and develop their skills throughout the rest of this course!

(below is an example of a worksheet which helped the learners with learning key phrases in hospitality!)

This National Supported Internship Day, we wanted to share how impactful Supported Internships are on both businesses and learners. Bakers Dolphin and one of our supported interns, Harry, have shared their internship experiences in their blogs – read below to find out what they said!

Bakers Dolphin -

My name is Derek, and I work at Bakers Dolphin. My role is quite comprehensive; I am a Quality & Compliance Manager, but I also take on responsibilities within HR and recruitment. This means I am involved in various aspects of the business, from maintaining standards to ensuring we have the right team in place.

My experience of working with supported interns has been very positive. I was initially unsure of what to expect, but having a supported intern on board has been a rewarding experience. I’ve gained a loyal, supportive, and committed individual who has integrated well as part of the team.

Having a supported intern has provided the business with greater flexibility. Harry has added efficiency to our operations, and I know I can rely on him when things change. His adaptability has been a great asset, allowing us to adjust to different situations smoothly.

One of the standout moments was seeing Harry’s confidence grow when working on the coach. At the beginning of the week, he was just getting used to the environment, but by the end, he was confidently greeting and onboarding customers. His progression throughout the internship has been remarkable.

I would say the main skills supported interns gain from their work experience are:

• Confidence – They learn to interact with colleagues and customers, which builds self-assurance.
• Social Skills – They improve their ability to communicate and work within a team.
• Industry Knowledge – They gain valuable insights into how a business operates within their chosen field.

Supported interns have made our business more efficient. They contribute to daily tasks and help keep operations running smoothly.

I am very positive about Harry’s future within Bakers Dolphin. We take pride in helping him build a career and providing him with the foundation he needs to be successful. Seeing his growth and development makes us confident in his potential.

We have required little support from the college overall while working with supported interns, but knowing that Weston College were there if needed was reassuring. The regular reviews of the internship were beneficial, as they allowed open discussions between me, Harry, and Weston College about his progress and journey.

To anyone considering taking on a supported intern, I would say to give it a go – you may be surprised! It has been a great experience, and I would encourage other businesses to consider it.

Supported Intern, Harry -

My name is Harry, and I completed my supported internship at Bakers Dolphin.

One of my favourite moments of my supported internship was after the summer holidays when I was told I had secured an internship at Bakers Dolphin. Another highlight was being informed in my first week that I had a driving assessment booked, which was exciting and motivating.

During my internship I have learned that you can always ask for help at Bakers Dolphin. “Every day is a school day” – I have learned that there is always something new to pick up and improve on.

I contribute to the day-to-day workload of the business by making myself available to work flexibly; I was adaptable when plans changed and ensured I could assist wherever needed.

My supported internship has given me the confidence to ask for help when I need it, which has made me feel more comfortable in a work environment.

Weston College played a key role in helping me secure my internship. One of the most significant moments was getting a driving role within my first week, which gave me a strong start in the role.

To any businesses considering taking on a supported intern, I would say to give the student time, as they need to adjust. With the right support and patience, supported interns can grow into valuable members of the team.

Amy Harding, Supported Employment and Careers Assessor, quoted:

"Harry’s Internship with Bakers Dolphin is a fantastic example of what true career investment can look like for learners with SEND. In addition to offering Harry a part-time job, Bakers are committed to supporting his driver training and future career development”.