<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Weston College hosted the <strong>South West Regional </strong><a href="https://www.hip-magazine.co.uk/"><strong>HIP</strong></a><strong&gt; &amp; </strong><a href="https://www.sparks-magazine.co.uk/"><strong>SPARKS</strong></a><strong&…; Competition</strong> again for the second year in a row at our South West Skills Campus yesterday, welcoming students, apprentices and lecturers from colleges across the South West of England. Students who win their regional heat will then compete for a chance to become the Learner of the Year Winner in the national Grand Final.</p><p>Weston College put forward two students, Level 3 <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; apprentice, Marcus, for the SPARKS competition, and Level 3 <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; apprentice, Will, for the HIP competition. Both learners worked extremely hard to prepare themselves for this competition, working tirelessly with lecturers to ensure they covered a range of challenging installations to equip them with an in-depth skillset.</p><p><strong>Marcus won the SPARKS South West Regional heat competition yesterday, securing him a place in the national Grand Final taking place in May.</strong> He displayed a high-level of accuracy and skills throughout the competition which secured him the top spot amongst his competitors. Will also worked hard throughout the HIP competition, displaying professionalism and dedication to his installation, unfortunately he did not manage to place in this year’s regional heat.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Marcus and lecturer, Lee, standing smiling in the practice workshop&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="bc8d52d5-1d07-49b4-8f5e-32455ab245c4" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Will and lecturer, Chris, standing smiling in the practice workshop&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="050e20d1-9557-4b1c-b4eb-9bc584704c9b" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The HIP &amp; SPARKS Competition encourages <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; students from across the country to compete, with one student being chosen from each participating college to represent them in each competition in hopes of becoming the 2026 Learner of the Year. The HIP competition consists of <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; and heating students from across the UK, whilst the SPARKS competition consists of <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; learners from across the UK.</p><p>During the competition, students had to complete a live practical installation, being given a strict brief and time limit that they must adhere to. Judging is then carried out by expert Technical Teams to ensure the students have followed the brief, test how well it works, the precision and accuracy of the installation, and the neatness of their work. A winner and a runner-up are then chosen from each regional heat to compete in the Grand Final and become the 2026 Learner of the Year in both competitions.</p><p>Lee Baker, lecturer in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…;, and Chris Simpson, lecturer in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…;, have worked hard to ensure both students feel prepared during the competition.&nbsp;</p><p>These competitions are an excellent way for students to increase their confidence and skills, meet likeminded students in the same trade from across the country, network with industry professionals, and win huge prizes if they place in the regional or Grand Final.</p><p>Marcus, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; apprentice and the SPARKS South West Regional Heat winner, said: “I thought it went well but I was surprised when I won. I thought I had a good chance as I did some prep work in college and a lot of the work in the install I do on site but I didn’t think I’d win. I feel like everyone who gets the chance to do this competition should definitely give it a go as it’s great experience and you never know if you’ll win!”</p><p>Lee Baker, Lecturer in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; at Weston College, shared how proud he was of Marcus, saying: “Marcus has worked exceptionally hard throughout his apprenticeship, and since being chosen to represent the college in the SPARKS competition, he has been pushing himself to his limits, making sure all installations are millimetre perfect. I couldn’t be prouder of what he has achieved and I look forward to seeing him compete in the final in May and show the extent of his skills.”</p><p>This competition forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; 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/"… and Construction</a>! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/">University Centre Weston (UCW)</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/">Click here!</a></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></p>

<p>As 2026 begins, Weston College and Bristol Airport remain committed to expanding their work together by creating opportunities that help individuals thrive, businesses grow and the region prosper.</p><p>For several years, the two organisations have worked side by side to build a strong, inclusive and future-focused careers and talent pipeline, connecting local people with real opportunities across one of the region’s most dynamic employment hubs. From inspiring young people to consider aviation careers to supporting adults to retrain or progress, the partnership is helping the next generation prepare for lift-off.</p><p>With a wide range of roles at the airport spanning aviation operations, engineering, digital, customer service, security, sustainability, retail and more; Weston College has played a pivotal role in helping translate these opportunities into clear, accessible career pathways for learners of all ages and backgrounds. The aim? To create a sustainable talent pipeline.</p><p>Through close collaboration, the partnership has delivered:</p><ul><li>Careers inspiration and engagement (including employer talks from the airport and its partners), careers events, site visits and insight sessions that bring the airport to life for students.</li><li>Clear progression routes by mapping education and training pathways from entry-level roles through to higher-level and specialist careers.</li><li>Skills development aligned to industry need ensuring learners are equipped with technical, professional and employability skills employers value most.</li><li>Inclusive opportunities – supporting social mobility and widening participation for all.</li></ul><p>By working together, Weston College and Bristol Airport are not only responding to current skills needs but also anticipating the future as aviation continues to evolve. Learners are encouraged to see aviation not as a single career, but as a sector full of diverse and futureproof opportunities supporting growth, innovation and sustainability across the aviation sector.</p><p>This approach ensures that employers can access a pipeline of work ready talent, learners gain real world insight and confidence in their career choices and the regional economy benefits from homegrown skills and retained talent.</p><p><em>“This partnership shows what’s possible when education and industry work together with a shared vision,” </em>said Lynsey McKinstry, Strategic Business Partnerships Manager at Weston College. <em>“By aligning learning with real careers at Bristol Airport, we’re helping drive ambition, confidence and a clear route into rewarding employment.”</em></p><p>Sophie Adams, Skills and Employment Business Partner at Bristol Airport added: <em>“Weston College has been instrumental in helping us engage with future talent. Together, we’re building a workforce that reflects our communities and is ready to support the airport’s future growth.”</em></p>

<p><a href="https://www.airbus.com/en"><strong>Airbus</strong></a><strong&gt; </strong>and <strong>Weston College Group</strong> today announced the signing of a formal lease agreement for the new <strong>Aerospace Skills Academy</strong> at Airbus’ Filton site, marking a major milestone in strengthening national resilience through aerospace and advanced engineering skills.</p><p>Under the agreement, <strong>Weston College Group</strong> will transform a building on the Filton site into a new training facility dedicated to advanced manufacturing and engineering skills. The Academy is scheduled to open in<strong> September 2026</strong> in time for the new academic year.</p><p>The <strong>Aerospace Skills Academy</strong> forms a key strategic component of efforts to respond to the <strong>UK’s Industrial Strategy (including IS-8) and the Defence Industrial Strategy</strong>, both of which identify skills development as vital to sustaining global competitiveness in aerospace and wider engineering. The South West is home to a £2.7 billion aerospace cluster, making it a natural location for this investment in talent, innovation, and economic growth.</p><p><strong>Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group</strong>, said: “Signing this lease with <strong>Airbus</strong> is a transformational step in delivering world-class higher technical education that directly supports national and regional economic priorities.”</p><p><strong>Simon Galpin, Airbus Head of Filton Site</strong>, said, “The <strong>Aerospace Skills Academy</strong> represents a major investment in the future of UK aerospace and advanced engineering. Working with the <strong>Weston College Group</strong>, we are creating a pipeline of highly skilled talent that supports national capability, regional growth, and the long-term competitiveness of our industry.”</p><p>The Academy will operate as a flagship centre for technical education and workforce development, specifically tailored to meet the evolving needs of the aerospace and defence and advanced engineering employers. Its purpose is to strengthen the skills pipeline by aligning training provision directly with industry demand, supporting both national capability and regional economic resilience.</p><p>At the heart of the Academy will be an employer-led curriculum, co-designed with <a href="https://www.airbus.com/en">Airbus</a&gt; and a network of strategic partners including <a href="https://www.babcockinternational.com/">Babcock International Group</a>, <a href="https://www.gknaerospace.com/">GKN Aerospace</a>, <a href="https://www.mbda-systems.com/country-uk?rc=1">MBDA</a&gt;, <a href="https://www.nccuk.com/">NCC</a&gt;, <a href="https://www.rolls-royce.com/">Rolls-Royce</a&gt;, and <strong>regional SMEs</strong>. This collaborative approach will ensure learners develop the technical expertise, behaviours, and experience required to succeed in high-value engineering roles.</p><p>The Academy will also prioritise inclusive access and clear progression routes, enabling learners to move seamlessly from Level 3 apprenticeship programmes through to higher and degree-level qualifications. This approach will help open high-quality careers in advanced manufacturing and engineering to individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.</p><p>Learners will be trained in refurbished workshop and teaching spaces featuring upgraded digital infrastructure and sustainability-focused systems. These facilities will mirror real industrial environments, providing hands-on, practical experience that prepares graduates to make an immediate and meaningful contribution to the UK’s advanced engineering, aerospace, and defence sectors.</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&nbsp;</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>