News and events

The Weston College Group is pleased to announce an exciting collaboration with University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation (UHBW) to provide an exceptional opportunity for learners on health-related courses. As part of this partnership, UHBW will be offering all successful Weston College learners on Level 3 health-related courses an automatic interview for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship program.

The Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship program is a prestigious and comprehensive opportunity for individuals to embark on a rewarding career in nursing while gaining valuable academic qualifications. By partnering with Weston College, UHBW aims to support aspiring nurses in the local community and contribute to the development of a highly skilled and diverse healthcare workforce.

Key details of the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship program, include:

• A direct pathway to a nursing career - successful learners will have the chance to bypass the traditional application process and secure an automatic interview with UHBW for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship. This exclusive opportunity provides a direct pathway for learners to pursue their passion for nursing and enter the healthcare profession.

• High-quality education and training - the program encompasses a comprehensive curriculum that equips learners with the essential knowledge and skills required to become competent and compassionate registered nurses. The curriculum has been carefully designed in accordance with industry standards and is regularly updated to align with the latest healthcare practices. Apprentices will benefit from the expertise and mentorship of UHBW's experienced nursing staff, gaining a solid foundation of skills and knowledge essential for a successful nursing career.

• Hands-on clinical experience - apprentices enrolled in the program will have the opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on experience through clinical placements within UHBW, one of the region's leading healthcare organisations. This practical exposure provides learners with real-world insights, allowing them to apply their theoretical knowledge in a supportive and professional environment.

• Financial support and employment - apprentices enrolled in the program will receive a competitive salary while studying, allowing them to earn while they learn. This financial support, combined with the opportunity to work within UHBW, a leading healthcare organisation, ensures a stable and rewarding career pathway from the outset.

• Personal and professional growth - As the employer UHBW, will enable a wealth of professional development opportunities for the apprentice, allowing them to grow both personally and professionally. UHBW is committed to supporting its apprentices throughout their journey, providing mentorship, guidance, and ongoing training to ensure their success in the nursing profession.

By offering all successful Weston College learners on Level 3 health-related courses an automatic interview for the Registered Nurse Degree Apprenticeship program, UHBW is demonstrating its commitment to investing in local talent and fostering the next generation of healthcare professionals. This collaboration will not only benefit individual Weston College learners but also contribute to the enhancement of healthcare services and patient care within the region.

Interested learners are encouraged to contact Weston College for further information on the application process. UHBW and Weston College are excited about the prospects that this collaboration presents and look forward to welcoming aspiring nurses to join them on this exceptional journey.

On Wednesday 5th July, the service sectors faculty and learners hosted Laura Leong, High Performance Skills Coach, from WorldSkills UK.

Weston College are proudly a WorldSkills Centre of Excellence, meaning access to world-class teacher training build on WorldSkills international insights. Additionally, it allows a network to build for peer-to-peer innovation and a global community of thought leadership.

Through the connections of WorldSkills, our learners are treated to incredible guest lectures and live demonstrations such as Laura visiting.

Laura spent the morning with our Floristry learners introducing them to competence to excellence methodologies. The learners created 'German style decorative hand tied bouquets'.

This design could be attempted by learners who have mastered basic spiral technique who wish to extend their learning to feature some insights into international best practice. Whilst this approach cannot be fully adopted into the everyday commercial production of every bouquet, it is a valuable addition to the skills and knowledge of a developing floristry student. It does produce results that demonstrate higher order competences and the advanced craftsmanship of a trained florist on a global level.

In the afternoon Laura hosted a Mindset Masterclass with educators from Service Sectors, Health and Sport, ESOL, Maths and English and Professional Studies. The session was titled 'Looking beyond the carrot and the stick'; educators examined different types of motivation and goal setting in relation to achieving learner's personal best.

Jenna Ratcliffe, Divisional Lead of Service Sectors, commented on the success of the day: “It’s such an honour having guest lecturers from WorldSkills come in to share their skills and expertise with the learners. It’s always so fantastic seeing the learners engage in new techniques and topics, and it’s clear how meaningful these sessions are."

Find out more about our courses, here!

Last night (6th July), Weston College was crowned as the Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year, at the South West Apprenticeship Awards.

The South West Apprenticeship Awards, in their inaugural year, marked a significant milestone for the region. Previously, separate events such as the Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Awards (which Weston College has won four times in the past five years) and the South Gloucestershire Apprenticeship Awards celebrated the achievements of local apprentices and businesses. However, this year's expanded ceremony encompassed a broader area, recognising the outstanding contributions made by organisations and individuals in apprenticeship training across the region, in multiple industries.

The glittering event took place at the home of Bristol City FC and Bristol Bears Rugby Club, Ashton Gate stadium, and was hosted by former Olympic athlete and revered television personality, Iwan Thomas.

With an atmosphere brimming with excitement and anticipation, attendees eagerly awaited the announcement of the award winners, each vying for recognition as the pinnacle of excellence in apprenticeship training.

Amongst the winners were several apprentices who are studying with Weston College, with winners including:

• George from Mott MacDonald, who won Apprentice of the Year (Construction & Property Industries) and South West Apprentice of the Year
• Lewis from MBDA, who won Apprentice of the Year (Technology, Digital & Creative Sector)

Sir Paul Phillips, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, expressed his delight at the achievements: “Winning the Apprenticeship Training Provider of the Year award is a tremendous honour for Weston College. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff, learners, and employer partners who have consistently strived for excellence in apprenticeship training.

“The team at Weston College are truly dedicated to nurturing the talents and ambitions of our learners, and we champion equipping individuals with the skills, knowledge, and practical experience necessary to thrive in their chosen fields.

“I am also delighted to see so many of our apprentices pick-up well-deserved awards too. Congratulations to George and Lewis, who have all shown that they have the skills, knowledge and attitude to achieve amazing things in their careers.”

If you would like to find out more about studying an apprenticeship with Weston College, click here.

Or if you are an employer who would like to discover how apprenticeships can support your business, click here.