<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>Learners across all Weston College campuses recently took part in a series of impactful workshops delivered by <a href="https://www.stgilestrust.org.uk/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&a… Giles Trust</a> in partnership with the local authority <strong>Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP)</strong> as part of the <strong>Home Office delivery plan</strong>. Focusing on the <strong>realities of county lines,</strong> <strong>knife crime</strong>, and <strong>youth exploitation</strong>, the sessions aimed to equip students with the <strong>knowledge, confidence,</strong> and <strong>practical strategies</strong> needed to make safe and informed decisions about their futures.</p><p>Weston College work closely with the <strong>VRP</strong>, who delivered this session both to educate learners and to gather their feedback on what is needed to improve violence reduction in North Somerset. <a href="https://www.stgilestrust.org.uk/?utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&a… Giles Trust</a> led the initial talk, which was followed by a workshop by VRP who gave helpful tips and guidance including the ability for people to report concerns about violence and knife crime anonymously on the “<a href="https://crimestoppers-uk.org/fearless">Fearless</a&gt;” website.</p><p>Drawing from real-life experiences, St Giles opened the talk with an honest dialogue about the dangers young people may face, and the tactics used by organised crime groups. By sharing personal stories and frontline insights, they helped learners understand how individuals can be groomed into criminal activity, often without recognising the warning signs until it is too late.</p><p>A key part of the workshop broke down the four stages of the grooming process:</p><ol><li><strong>Targeting </strong>- identifying vulnerable young people or those perceived as easy to influence.</li><li><strong>Friendship Forming</strong> - building trust through attention, gifts, or offers of support.</li><li><strong>Loving Relationship</strong> - creating a sense of loyalty, obligation, or emotional dependence.</li><li><strong>Abusive Relationship</strong> - introducing threats, coercion, and control to force involvement in illegal activity.</li></ol><p>Through this structure, learners gained a clear understanding of how gangs manipulate and exploit young people, often blurring the lines between friendship, favour, and criminal expectation.</p><p>The sessions also demystified what county lines means, highlighting how drugs are transported and sold across regions, the hierarchy of involvement, and the perspective of those involved in dealing. Emphasis was placed on the harsh realities and long-term consequences of participation, countering the myth that county lines activity offers quick or easy money. St Giles Trust stressed the concept of<strong> “short-term gain, long-term pain”,</strong> showing how short-lived rewards are far outweighed by the physical, legal, and emotional risks.</p><p>Learners were guided through practical strategies for conflict resolution, helping them recognise safer ways to navigate difficult situations without resorting to violence or carrying a weapon. The St Giles team reinforced that there are always alternatives to retaliation, and that seeking support from college staff, trusted adults, or specialist services can be a proactive step towards staying safe.</p><p>Each session concluded with practical advice and guidance, empowering students to identify exploitation, protect themselves and their peers, and access help if they are worried about themselves or someone else.</p><p>The workshops were well received across the college, contributing to Weston College’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding, awareness, and student wellbeing.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">This month, we’re proud to feature <strong>Luke Morgan</strong>, a Weston College alumnus who has carved out a career in the world of professional football. Luke is now a <strong>First Team Football Analyst at Bristol City Football Club</strong>, and his journey from classroom to pitch-side is a true inspiration for aspiring sports professionals.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Who are you and what is your current job role?</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>My name is Luke Morgan, and I’m currently the First Team Football Analyst at Bristol City Football Club. My role involves watching, filming, and analysing the technical and tactical aspects of the team’s performance. I focus on analysing upcoming opposition teams to help develop game plans and tactics, as well as reviewing our own training sessions and matches. On match days, I’m in the stadium providing clips and information to coaches and players in real time, helping us to review and improve performance.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Can you share a bit about your journey from Weston College to where you are today?</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>After finishing my studies at Weston College, where I completed the Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science, I achieved the grades I needed to progress to the University of Bath to study for a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science. It was a four-year course, including a placement year that gave me my first real taste of working in professional sport.&nbsp;</p><p>During that placement year, I began working with a company in Durham that provided analysis support for a range of sports, including Durham County Cricket, Scotland Badminton, and England Rugby. That experience sparked my interest in performance analysis. After completing my final year at Bath, I went on to study for an MSc in Sports Performance Analysis at the University of Gloucestershire.&nbsp;</p><p>As part of that postgraduate course, I worked full-time with Bristol City Football Club’s Women’s First Team. After completing my studies, I was fortunate to secure a full-time position with the club, initially working with the Men’s U21 and academy teams. Over time, I progressed into my current role with the Men’s First Team, where I was part of the backroom staff during the club’s first playoff finish in 17 years.&nbsp;</p><p>Weston College played an integral part in that journey. It was the springboard that gave me both academic grounding and personal confidence to move into higher education and, eventually, professional sport.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Many young people feel pressured to have their entire career mapped out early on. How did your own career path evolve over time?</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Growing up, I was completely obsessed with sports. If I wasn’t playing, I would be watching it! I knew I wanted to work in sport, but I didn’t have a specific career in mind. What mattered most was following something I enjoyed. Going to Weston College was the first step in turning that passion into a possible career. The course helped me understand the range of opportunities within sport and gave me the platform to progress to university.&nbsp;</p><p>At university, I discovered new areas within sport, especially through practical experience. That’s where I realised the importance of gaining real-world placements and internships. It wasn’t until I began my MSc at 23 that I really started to specialise in analysis. My career path wasn’t mapped out from the beginning, but being open to learning, developing, and exploring different options helped me find the right direction.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Are there any pivotal moments or unexpected opportunities that shaped your career?</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>There were definitely several key moments. At Weston College, the support and encouragement I received were crucial in helping me achieve the grades to attend the University of Bath. I was also given valuable career advice, including not specialising too early and keeping an open mind.&nbsp;</p><p>Placements and internships played a huge role, too. Throwing myself into those experiences allowed me to develop the real-world skills needed for a career in professional sports. I also learned the importance of taking initiative and actively seeking opportunities, rather than waiting for them to appear. Of course, there’s always an element of timing and luck, but positioning yourself in the right place and being ready to take opportunities when they arise makes all the difference.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What advice would you give to students who feel uncertain about their future career path?</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Strip it back to basics: focus on what you enjoy and what you’re good at. If you’re unsure, ask for support and explore different options. Don’t feel pressured into a fixed path - there are many routes to success. And remember, choosing one path doesn’t mean you’re stuck with it forever. Be open and adaptable; there’s always another opportunity around the corner if something doesn’t feel right.&nbsp;</p><p>In the words of Ted Lasso: <em><strong>“Be curious.”</strong></em>&nbsp;</p>