News and events

We spoke with Justin Whiting, Advanced Technical Trainer – Skills at the National Composites Centre, about NCC’s current apprenticeship programme and how you can get involved!

1. What apprenticeships do you offer at NCC through Weston College (which industry's, which levels etc)? 

We currently offer the Level 3 Composite Technician apprenticeship which falls in the Engineering category; we also offer Level 6 Project Management apprenticeships, however, we are constantly reviewing our apprenticeship offerings so this may change in the future.

2. What do these apprenticeships entail for the learners? 

The learners are on a 3 year and 3-month programme with time spent at NCC and Weston College. At NCC apprentices will work with experienced technicians to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the apprenticeship, they will also spend time at Weston College learning about Composite materials and working towards the qualifications and their End Point Assessment (EPA). 

The learners will complete a rotation around different areas of the business and then concentrate on specific technologies in the second and third year. As an innovation organisation, the apprentices will be working on cutting edge equipment and procedures. The PM apprentice course lasts 4 years and includes day of study per week for the duration of the programme. Learners on this course will work on different projects with different project teams.

3. What do NCC look for in an apprentice? 

NCC looks for enthusiastic apprentices who want to learn not just how to do a job but why we are doing that job, we want apprentices to be inquisitive and think of ways that they can improve the processes.

4. Are there any standout stories of our apprentices at NCC? 

There are many! We have had 5 of our apprentices make the regional finals of Make UK Apprentice of the Year award, have been involved in BBC Bitesize and supported the Gatsby Foundation. Our apprentices have worked in teams on some amazing projects such as a full-scale wing demonstrator, remote controlled car and drone which have been used to help promote NCC and the apprenticeship programme.

5. How do apprentices benefit your business? 

Apprentices are a major asset to the business. Apprenticeships allow us to train people right from the start of their career in our processes, ways of working and sector expectations. They bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm into the company and inspire the next generation of engineers and project managers.

6. Do NCC take on apprentices as full-time employees after they have finished their apprenticeship? 

NCC apprentices are on a fixed term contract for the duration of their apprenticeship, they can then apply for full time roles at NCC.

7. When are NCC next looking for apprentices, and how can students apply? 

We generally start looking for our new apprentices in January/February with a view to holding interviews in April. We advertise any apprenticeship positions on our website and through Weston College.

8. What advice would you give to people who are thinking about doing an apprenticeship? 

Do it!! An apprenticeship is a great way of learning, gaining industry experience and developing professional behaviours whilst getting paid!

9. Is there anything else you would like to add? 

We firmly believe apprenticeships are a great way to start your career, our apprentices are invaluable to the company.

Last week, our Animal Management students across all levels came together to meet a range of employers within the industry and learn more about the different career options available to them. 

Many students got involved, engaging with employers to find out more about the placement and work experience opportunities they offer in order to build their skills and broaden their knowledge of different animals.  

During their Careers Event, the Animal Management faculty invited many employers to meet and liaise with our students and present what their organisation does for animals and the community. These employers included Noah’s Ark Zoo, RSPCA, Maddie’s Pawfect Pooches, Barnaby’s Bunny Barn, Harmonious Dogs, and Secret World Wildlife Rescue. Some of these organisations brought in dogs and tortoises with visual aids such as business cards, worksheets and goodies. 

By bringing employers in to talk to our students, it gives them a deeper understanding of the career paths available to them as well as give them the chance to network and make connections with local industries who want to help students gain experience and improve their skills and knowledge in a more specialised field. Many organisations were rescue charities that offer volunteering opportunities for students which is a fantastic way to help animals in-need and encourage learners to give back to the community. 

It was also great for the students to meet local charities that they have helped fundraise for during their course, giving them the chance to see where the money goes and how it helps the animals. For example, our students recently raised around £90 for Secret World Wildlife Rescue by using their entrepreneurial skills to create dog toys and treats to sell to the local community at events. This will provide support for the rescue services that help to care for sick, injured and orphaned wildlife.

Three former Level 3 Animal Management Weston College students also attended the careers event with their current organisations. Grace, who is now working with the RSPCA as an Animal Care Assistant, has a range of responsibilities including caring for the animals and performing observations, whilst Andrew is working at Noah’s Ark Zoo as a zookeeper on the farm team, caring for a range of farm animals. Another former student, Maddie, has started her own business, ‘Maddie’s Pawfect Pooches’, where she specialises in tailored dog training, adolescent dog support, and puppy preparation classes in order to build confidence within dogs.  

Students then went on to learning more about Wildlife Conservation, being introduced to a range of insects and bugs in order to deepen their knowledge on wildlife and the impact they have on our ecosystem, and therefore the importance of conserving them.  

Organisations such as Recorders of the Avalon Marshes (ROAM), The British Beekeepers Association, The Bristol Zoological Society, and members from The British Dragonfly Society, all came together to discuss the importance of conserving wildlife, the work they do to implicate this, the impacts these wildlife have on our ecosystem, and how these organisations monitor and survey the wildlife. These discussions sparked interest within the students and provided them with invaluable insight into an important area of study which the students will cover within their course. 

This event was a fantastic way for students to network and engage with employers, learn more about different local charities and organisations, and see the career paths available to them. They also learnt about a range of different animal care opportunities that they may not have previously considered, from farm and zoo animals, to household pets and local wildlife. This ensures that the learners do not limit their options and explore alternative routes to find out what is right for them. 

A big thank you to the employers in attendance! Your expertise and insight were invaluable to helping our students make informed decisions about their future.

This Careers Event forms part of the Animal Management 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.  

Progress to the next level in Animal Management! At University Centre Weston (UCW) 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. Click here! 

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.

Construction is a very versatile and dynamic course with many different routes to specialise in. At Weston College, we offer courses in Bricklaying, Carpentry, Plastering, Scaffolding, Electrical, Plumbing and Construction Professionals such as Civil Engineering and Surveying. 

These courses are a great way for students to get hands-on experience in trade subjects. They gain practical skills in the workshop whilst learning theoretical knowledge in the classroom which they can then apply to real-life application.

This year, our Construction students have been introduced to new uniforms. This allows both staff and students to identify different trades depending on their colour. For example, Plumbing students are now wearing blue tops and jumpers, Brickwork is wearing green, Carpentry is wearing red, Plastering is wearing grey, and Electrical is wearing black. These new items of clothing were completely free of charge to the learners and allows everyone to easily identify which student is in which cohort.

At the end of last term, our Construction learners were challenged to think harder about how they engage with the community, not just because of the positive impact it has on our learners, but because it’s a great way to give back and encourage engagement and meaningful interactions outside of the college.

During their first week back, our learners have already risen to that challenge. Jack, Plastering, and Alfie, Bricklaying, joined our staff at St. Martin’s Primary School Careers Day for Year 6 pupils. They spoke confidently with the pupils, answering questions about their trades, college life, and their plans going forward.

We have also invited the Year 6 pupils into college, where our learners will demonstrate their skills across the trades, discuss their career journeys and pathways in construction, and offer hands-on experiences to show learners the options available to them. This is a great way to not only improve the confidence of our learners, but also to help inspire the future generations. It’s a great way for our learners to become positive role models within the community and take pride in their abilities.

We look forward to seeing what our Construction students get up to for the rest of the year!

This initiative forms part of the Construction 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.

Progress to the next level in Construction! At University Centre Weston (UCW) 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. Click here!

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.