<p data-start="497" data-end="679">This <strong>National Apprenticeship Week,</strong> we spoke to <a href="https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/">University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust</a> <a href="https://www.uhbw.nhs.uk/">(UHBW)</a&gt; about how their apprenticeships are shaping careers!</p><p data-start="497" data-end="679">&nbsp;</p><p><strong>UHBW Blog -&nbsp;</strong></p><p>At University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust, we’re proud to work in partnership with Weston College and <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/">University Centre Weston </a>to offer a wide range of apprenticeship opportunities that help learners build meaningful careers while gaining hands-on experience in the workplace.</p><p>Apprenticeships are a vital part of how we grow our workforce, develop talent, and support individuals to reach their full potential. We currently offer a broad range of <strong>Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships </strong>across many essential sectors, including<strong> Nursing, Nursing Associate, Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW), Electrician, Carpentry, Hospitality, Occupational Therapy </strong>and potentially<strong> Physiotherapy.</strong> This diverse offer means learners from different backgrounds and interests can find a pathway that suits their ambitions, whether they are drawn to clinical care, technical trades, or support services.</p><p>Our apprentices learn in an active, real-world workplace where they can develop skills alongside experienced professionals. Typically, learners spend one day per week studying, with the remainder of the week working in their role within UHBW. This blend of practical experience and structured learning allows apprentices to apply knowledge immediately, while receiving guidance from both their employer and Weston College or UCW. On successful completion, apprentices gain a recognised qualification, setting them up for future career progression.</p><p>At UHBW, we value attitude as much as qualifications. We look for people who are enthusiastic, willing to learn, and able to advocate for themselves in order to maximise learning opportunities. If you’re curious, proactive, and ready to grow, you’ll fit right in.</p><p>We regularly see apprentices thrive at UHBW. One standout example is a Healthcare Support Worker apprentice who was invited to appear on a podcast to share their experiences, highlighting both the impact of their role and the confidence they’ve gained through their apprenticeship journey.</p><p>Apprenticeships are a truly mutually beneficial arrangement. They help us build a skilled workforce tailored to our needs, improve retention and loyalty, and reduce recruitment and training costs. By growing our own talent, we invest in people who already understand our values, culture, and commitment to patient care.</p><p>Progression into a full-time role after completing an apprenticeship is dependent on the specific programme and the availability of vacancies. However, many apprentices do go on to secure permanent positions or progress to higher-level training within UHBW.</p><p>UHBW does not work to fixed recruitment dates, but we generally align with the usual college intake cycles. Learners are encouraged to talk to their manager about their interest, discuss progression during appraisals or supervision, and complete a careers conversation if they are unsure about the best pathway. All recruitment updates are shared via UHBW’s internal recruitment pages and Viva Engage communications.</p><p>For anyone considering an apprenticeship, our advice is simple: go for it. An apprenticeship offers a fantastic opportunity to get paid while you learn, build annual leave entitlement, develop valuable skills, work for a great employer, and gain a qualification without paying tuition fees. It’s a powerful way to start or change your career.</p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last month, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; learners kickstarted the first stages of the <strong>Lasseter’s Bar &amp; Kitchen</strong> renovations by taking apart the old benches and outdoor seating area from the front of the property which they will repurpose as part of their Social Action Project.  &nbsp;</p><p>When taking the furniture apart, learners made sure to remove any screws and nails before moving the wood to the South West Skills workshop where they will separate the usable wood ready for repurpose. They will then work together to create an assortment of Christmas decorations to be sold by the students during the weekly <strong>Wednesday Market on the Italian Gardens</strong>. All money made from these sales will then go towards the Weston College RAG Week charities: <strong>Weston Hospicecare</strong> and a second charity chosen in the upcoming months by the Student Committee ahead of RAG Week in March 2026. &nbsp;</p><p>The students also weeded the outdoor seating area, brushed the floor, and cleaned the glass panels surrounding the area. They will also be salvaging the flower beds to reuse them when Lasseter’s reopens to reduce waste. This has turned the outdoor area into a blank canvas, ready for new furniture to go in during the refurbishments. &nbsp;</p><p>Repurposing old benches into marketable products for charity offers our students a blend of personal and professional development. On a personal level, students build creativity and problem-solving skills by transforming discarded items into something functional and appealing, while also experiencing the satisfaction of contributing to their community through charitable giving. Professionally, the process cultivates resourceful thinking, project management, and teamwork skills that are highly valued in the workplace.  &nbsp;</p><p>By marketing and selling their creations, students gain hands-on experience in business operations, communication, and client engagement, which can strengthen their portfolios and career readiness. Ultimately, this Social Action initiative allows students to grow as socially conscious leaders who can balance innovation with purpose, making a meaningful impact while developing transferable skills for their future careers. &nbsp;</p><p>This project also fits in with Weston College’s sustainability values by reducing waste and upcycling materials to create products. It’s a great opportunity for students to discover new ways to repurpose furniture in fun and creative ways which also gives back to the community. This task will allow them to think creatively and innovatively but also engage with the community when selling their handmade products.  &nbsp;</p><p>Well done to our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; students for taking this opportunity in stride, handling tasks efficiently and maturely, and helping us turn creativity into community impact!&nbsp;</p><p>This initiative 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/"…;! 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/"><u>Click 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></p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []"><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; is a very versatile and dynamic course with many different routes to specialise in. At Weston College, we offer courses in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…;, <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/const… Professionals</u></a> such as Civil Engineering and Surveying. </p><p>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.</p><p>This year, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; students have been introduced to new uniforms. This allows both staff and students to identify different trades depending on their colour. For example, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; students are now wearing blue tops and jumpers, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; is wearing green, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; is wearing red, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; is wearing grey, and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/i-wan…; 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.</p><p>At the end of last term, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; 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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>We look forward to seeing what our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; students get up to for the rest of the year!</p><p>This initiative 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.</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/"><u>Click here!</u></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>