<p>Weston College and <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/#next">University Centre Weston (UCW)</a> have announced plans for an exciting new <strong>Skills Academy in the Aerospace &amp; Defence space</strong>, located at Airbus Filton, Bristol.</p><p>Set to welcome its first learners in September 2026, the <strong>Skills Academy</strong> will offer a unique, industry-led training environment designed to equip future engineers and technicians with the advanced skills required across aerospace, defence, and cutting-edge manufacturing sectors.</p><p>This £2.6 million project, developed in collaboration with key industry partners including <strong>Airbus, GKN Aerospace, Ministry of Defence and Rolls-Royce</strong> represents a significant milestone in Weston College Group’s mission to expand higher technical education and strengthen its position as a national leader in skills innovation.</p><p><strong>Engineering the Future</strong></p><p>The <strong>Skills Academy</strong> will provide learners with hands-on experience across fully equipped workshops, laboratories, and specialist learning spaces that reflect real engineering and manufacturing environments.</p><p>Planned facilities include:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Machine Shop&nbsp;</li><li>Maintenance Workshop&nbsp;</li><li>Fabrication Workshop&nbsp;</li><li>Engine Room&nbsp;</li><li>Electronics Lab&nbsp;</li><li>Hydraulics Lab&nbsp;</li><li>Aero Lab&nbsp;</li><li>Control Lab&nbsp;</li><li>CAD Suites&nbsp;</li><li>State-of-the-Art Classrooms&nbsp;</li><li>Lecture Hall and Newton Room for Career Events&nbsp;</li><li>Student Support Hub, Common Area, and Multi-Faith Room&nbsp;</li><li>Quiet Room, Locker Room, Showers, and Changing Facilities.</li></ul><p>With a strong focus on practical, project-based learning, the Skills Academy will enable students to engage with every aspect of engineering, from design and development to testing, problem-solving, and maintenance, within a live aerospace setting.</p><p><strong>Built Around Learners and Industry</strong></p><p>The <strong>Skills Academy</strong> is intended to deliver higher and degree-level apprenticeships while offering clear progression routes for full-time students already on <strong>Weston College’s</strong> engineering pathways. Learners will also have the unique opportunity to observe and engage with elements of the construction and fit-out phases, gaining valuable insights into project planning, site operations, and facility development.</p><p>Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said:</p><p>“This <strong>Skills Academy</strong> represents our commitment to innovation, employer collaboration, and delivering world-class technical education. By locating this facility at <strong>Airbus</strong> Filton, we are placing learning at the heart of the region’s engineering excellence, giving our students unparalleled access to the people, projects, and technologies shaping the future of aerospace and defence.”</p><p><strong>Connecting Education with Industry Needs</strong></p><p>The <strong>Skills Academy</strong> forms a central part of <strong>Weston College Group’s</strong> contribution to the <strong>Regional Aerospace and Defence Skills</strong> Initiative. It will help meet the growing national demand for advanced manufacturing and engineering expertise, ensuring learners are fully prepared to begin careers with leading employers such as <strong>Airbus, GKN Aerospace, Rolls-Royce and the Ministry of Defence</strong>, and other major engineering organisations.</p><p>Applications for September 2026 are open now. Please <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/engineering-and-construction/"… here</a> for more details.</p><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/WCMT-ONE-ZZ-XX-DV-A-0002-P01-3D-Visual-Reception-and-Common-Rm.jpg" data-entity-uuid="026b3eab-d22b-4d26-a9f9-bbd7d6284307" data-entity-type="file" alt="Concept Arts for new centre reception" width="4961" height="3508"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/WCMT-ONE-ZZ-XX-DV-A-0003-P01-3D-Visual-Conference-Room.jpg" data-entity-uuid="3e03f0d2-5bf0-49d3-9025-5ae28b9a7ee3" data-entity-type="file" alt="Concept Arts for new centre" width="4961" height="3508"><p><em>All images are indicative concept renderings and are subject to further design development</em></p>

<p>Degree Apprentice Jack Lewis has been crowned the Association of Colleges (AoC) Apprentice of the Year at the annual AoC Conference and Exhibition, an event that celebrates exceptional students from colleges across England.</p><p>The national awards recognise individuals who have excelled academically while making significant contributions to their colleges, workplaces, and communities. As always, the competition was fierce, with a high volume of outstanding applications from across the country.</p><p>Jack is currently studying at <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/#next">University Centre Weston (UCW)</a>, following in the footsteps of UCW alumnus Kam Stevens, who previously won the Higher Education Student of the Year award at the AoC Awards in 2023.</p><p>A Level 6 Manufacturing Engineering degree apprentice working at Singer Instruments, Jack distinguished himself through the substantial real-world impact he has had on the organisation.</p><p>He introduced advanced 3D-printing technologies that transformed manufacturing processes, reduced environmental impact, and significantly cut production costs. His redesign of microscope components not only removed the need for hazardous chloroform but also reduced the unit cost from £24 to just 17 pence, dramatically improving both safety and efficiency.</p><p>Jack, said: "I’m incredibly proud to have been named Apprentice of the Year. It’s an amazing feeling to see the work I’m so passionate about recognised at a national level. I want to say a huge thank-you to the engineering and apprenticeship teams at Weston College and UCW for their support and belief in me throughout my journey. I’m also grateful to everyone at Singer Instruments for giving me the opportunity to learn, innovate, and make a real impact."</p><p>Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, added:</p><p>“We are delighted for Jack – his outstanding work truly deserves this recognition. Jack has set a new benchmark for what apprenticeships can achieve. Starting as a BTEC placement student, he returned as Singer Instruments’ first Level 6 engineering apprentice and has since driven transformative innovation.</p><p>“Congratulations, Jack. We look forward to seeing your career continue to thrive.”</p><p>If you would like to follow in Jack’s footsteps, you can <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/apprenticeships?utm_source=ma… our apprenticeships here</a>.</p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">On September 30th, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/engin… Apprentices</u></a> attended a Sustainability Conference in the Winter Gardens Ballroom where they received guest lectures from a range of employers and industry professionals regarding their approach to sustainability in the workplace and how they are incorporating it into their systems. &nbsp;</p><p>The day was kickstarted with guest speaker, Olivia Whittle, a Project Officer at <strong>Celtic Sea Power</strong>. She discussed the company’s work to develop a strong and sustainable workforce for the Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW) sector in the Celtic Sea. This helps to deliver offshore renewable energy at scale, and support upgrades to ports, grid and infrastructure. This gave our learners a deeper understanding into sustainable, offshore renewable energy and the impacts this has on the environment. &nbsp;</p><p>This was followed by guest speaker, Clare Hennessey, the Planning and Sustainability Director at <strong>Bristol Airport</strong>. During her lecture, she discussed the sustainability progression of Bristol Airport in upcoming years, with the new refurbishment and plan for the future, making Bristol Airport one of the leading sustainable airports in the UK. Clare also discussed how Bristol Airport has completed the first successful UK airport trial for the ground-breaking airside hydrogen refuelling trial, led by easyJet. This is a plan to create zero emission aviation and eventually introduce hydrogen-powered aircraft. &nbsp;</p><p>Following this was guest speaker, Matt Whale, the Framework Manager at <strong>Octavius Infrastructure Ltd</strong>, to discuss the leading transport solutions provider and how they enforce sustainability goals within their work. Their organisation ensures efficient transport networks by keeping trains running smoothly and traffic moving on the roads. They discussed their plans to make transport more sustainable by aiming for net zero carbon emissions, more efficient use of resources, as well as their goals for biodiversity net gain. &nbsp;</p><p>After lunch, learners were given a hands-on task to create a bridge with the other students on their tables. They were given a project brief and specifications to follow which they were later marked on. They were asked to create a powered bridge which opened to allow for goods and services to pass through, with other criteria to follow to ensure it was practical for the location. They also had to create a comprehensive and annotated diagram of their designs, show clear calculations based on the figures provided in the specification, and provide a project plan which identified the team roles and responsibilities. &nbsp;</p><p>Students had a range of materials to choose from to create their design, and once they had decided on a design, they collaboratively worked to execute their ideas. Their work was marked on how well they followed the project brief, if their drawings of their designs were detailed, labelled with materials, and explained how they would be manufactured. They were also marked on their calculations to ensure their designs were feasible, as well as how sustainable their products would be by providing innovative solutions. There were 80 points available in total for each team to achieve. &nbsp;</p><p>All groups created innovative designs which closely reflected the brief using the materials available. They all came up with strong sustainability ideas and themes within their designs by considering the impactful solutions that the employers had discussed in their guest talks earlier in the event.&nbsp;</p><p>This project was an excellent way for a range of different apprentices to work together to create a design that followed strict criteria, an excellent reflection of what many of them will be required to do when working with clients and employers. It gave them great experience to think practically and come up with innovative ideas as well as consider alternative solutions for the same conclusion. It is projects like this that prepare our students for the industry and allow them to meet like-minded individuals who will have different ideas and broaden each other's problem-solving skills. &nbsp;</p><p>This event was an excellent opportunity for students to hear about the different sustainable approaches that large organisations are taking to ensure a greener future and improved systems. As the future generation of engineers, it is important for them to learn ways to adapt and develop new structures and approaches to keep moving forward. They also learnt more about the possible career pathways available depending on their interests, so they have a better understanding of their options after their apprenticeships.  &nbsp;</p><p>Thank you to Celtic Sea Power, Bristol Airport, and Octavius for taking the time to visit our students and discuss the sustainable approaches you are taking to improve your organisations. &nbsp;</p><p>This event forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/engin… &amp; Green Skills</u></a> 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. &nbsp;</p><p>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/engineering-and-construction/"…;! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/"><u>University Centre Weston (UCW)</u></a> our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/engineering-and-construction/"… here!</u></a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>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 </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. 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.</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>