<p>Weston College Group is entering an exciting new chapter for technical education following its recognition as one of only four Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) for Advanced Manufacturing in England.</p><p>As it prepares to open its flagship technical training facility at Airbus Filton this September, the College has unveiled its new identity: AMTEC – the Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College.</p><p>Previously announced as the Aerospace Skills Academy (ASA), the new name reflects both the College's new Technical Excellence College status and feedback from employers, who said the facility's curriculum, partnerships and opportunities extend far beyond aerospace into the wider advanced manufacturing sector.</p><p>The announcement follows Weston College being named one of only four Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) for Advanced Manufacturing in England; a government designation recognising excellence in delivering the higher technical skills needed by one of the UK's fastest-growing industries. The status will help strengthen the region's skills pipeline while supporting economic growth and meeting employers' future workforce needs.</p><p>Based at Airbus in Filton, AMTEC will continue to work closely with employers across aerospace, engineering, composites, defence and wider advanced manufacturing, delivering apprenticeships and technical education from Level 2 through to degree level.</p><p>The decision to launch the new facility as AMTEC followed extensive discussions with employer partners, who highlighted that while aerospace remains central to its identity, its facilities, expertise and curriculum will support businesses across the wider advanced manufacturing sector.</p><p>The College is also excited to announce newly appointed Vice Principal Andy Smith to the AMTEC team, who brings more than 36 years' experience across aerospace and advanced manufacturing. He joins Weston College Group from GKN Aerospace, where he served as Programme Director for the Airbus single-aisle programme, having also held senior roles with Airbus and BAE Systems.</p><p>Having begun his own career as an apprentice with British Aerospace, Andy understands the transformative power of technical education and apprenticeships.</p><p>Andy Smith said:</p><p>“I am delighted to be joining Weston College Group at such an exciting time. AMTEC gives us an opportunity to build on the College Group's strong reputation in aerospace while creating a centre of excellence that supports the wider advanced manufacturing sector.</p><p>"Having started my own career as an apprentice, I understand first-hand the importance of creating opportunities for people to develop, grow in confidence and succeed. I am looking forward to working with outstanding staff and employer partners to help develop AMTEC into a nationally recognised destination for technical education."</p><p>Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said:</p><p>"Becoming a Technical Excellence College for Advanced Manufacturing was a defining moment for Weston College Group, and launching the new facility as AMTEC reflects that ambition.</p><p>"The name better reflects the breadth of industries we will support. Aerospace remains a core strength, but our employer partners made it clear the opportunities extend across the wider advanced manufacturing sector.</p><p>"We are creating something truly distinctive for learners, employers and the wider region. Together, our Technical Excellence College status, world-class facilities and employer partnerships position us to become one of the UK's leading centres for advanced manufacturing skills."</p><p>When it opens this September at Airbus Filton, AMTEC will provide industry-standard learning environments designed alongside employers, helping more learners access high-quality technical education while supporting the workforce needs of businesses across the South West and beyond.</p><p>Opening this September, AMTEC will provide industry-standard training facilities designed with employers, helping develop the skilled workforce needed by advanced manufacturing businesses across the South West and beyond.</p>

<p>Weston College Group was proud to welcome senior representatives from the <strong>Department for Business and Trade (DBT)</strong> and the <strong>West of England Combined Authority (WECA)</strong> to its new <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/aerospace-skills-academy"><strong>Aerospace Skills Academy</strong></a> at <strong>Airbus, Filton,</strong> for a special visit highlighting the future of technical skills development in the region.</p><p>Visitors included Chris Barton CMG, Director for Local and International Growth at the Department for Business and Trade; Matt Cross, Deputy Director for Regions and Markets; Stefano Pucello, Regional Manager for Gloucestershire and Wiltshire; and Antony Marritt, Head of Enterprise, Inward Investment and Innovation at WECA.</p><p>The delegation toured the state-of-the-art facility, accompanied by Holly Stokes, Head of Early Careers at Airbus Filton, who joined Weston College Group leaders in showcasing how the Academy is helping to build a pipeline of highly skilled talent for the aerospace sector.</p><p>The visit provided an opportunity to discuss how further education providers, employers and regional stakeholders can continue to work together to strengthen skills infrastructure, support inward investment and create progression routes into high-value careers across the South West.</p><p>During the visit, Weston College Group also shared the recent announcement that it has been named as one of only four colleges nationally to be recognised as a Technical Excellence College for Advanced Manufacturing.</p><p>Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said:</p><p><em>"It was a pleasure to welcome colleagues from the Department for Business and Trade and WECA to our Aerospace Skills Academy and to demonstrate the impact that strong partnerships with employers such as Airbus and others can have on developing the workforce of the future.</em></p><p><em>Being recognised as one of only four Technical Excellence Colleges for Advanced Manufacturing is a significant milestone for Weston College Group and reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional technical education that supports learners, employers and the wider economy."</em></p><p>Weston College Group continues to invest in specialist facilities and employer partnerships to ensure learners gain the skills, experience and confidence needed to thrive in advanced manufacturing, engineering and aerospace careers.</p>

<p>Today Weston College has been named as one of the country’s new Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs), securing a pivotal role in delivering high-quality training for the next generation of workers in advanced manufacturing, which is one of Britain’s fastest growing and most critical sectors.</p><p><strong>Pat Jones, Principal and CEO at Weston College Group</strong>, said: “<em>We are incredibly proud to have been recognised as a Technical Excellence College for Advanced Manufacturing. It reflects the quality and scale of our provision, the strength of our employer partnerships, and our commitment to delivering the higher technical skills which industry needs.</em></p><p><em>“We created an original partnership group with stakeholders, committed to delivering future skills and economic growth, collectively providing valuable input and support to this work. I would like to personally thank our partners, Airbus, Rolls‑Royce, GKN Aerospace, NCC, West of England Combined Authority and Business West. It is through your continued partnership that we can develop training that is truly industry‑led, with cutting-edge facilities and prepare our learners for high‑value careers in advanced manufacturing.”</em></p><p>This recognition also builds on Weston College’s ambitious plans for expansion, including the £2.6 million Aerospace Skills Academy on Airbus’s Filton site, opening this September. This facility will significantly increase the College’s training capacity and give learners access to advanced manufacturing environments, that directly support the needs of leading aerospace and advanced manufacturing employers.</p><p>The 19 new Technical Excellence Colleges across the UK, backed by £175 million of government investment, will provide around 65,000 learners with access to training for high-demand roles across advanced manufacturing, clean energy, defence, and digital technologies. This comes at a crucial time, with an estimated 600,000 additional workers needed in these sectors by 2030.</p><p>For Weston College and the wider West of England region, this recognition represents a significant step forward in aligning education with industry demand and supporting economic growth while creating clear, high-quality pathways into skilled employment.</p><p><strong>Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England,</strong> said: “<em>People across the West will, like me, be delighted that Weston College will become a Technical Excellence College for advanced manufacturing. The case was strong: over the last decade, our regional economy has created over 100,000 new jobs - including the most job growth in key industries of any region. This shows that when we work together, the West Country is being heard by government.</em></p><p><em>“Advanced manufacturing is part of the West's history, as the region that gave flight to Concorde; part of our present, with the sector employing over 18,000 people locally and generating billions of pounds for the national economy; and part of our future, through the investment that will come with hosting one of just four Technical Excellence Colleges of its kind. Further innovation will ensure that the sector stays competitive for years to come.</em></p><p><em>“The £2.6 million Aerospace Skills Academy set to open in Filton this September will be a key part of Weston College Group's expanded offer, adding to the industry-leading innovation being pioneered at places like Airbus, BAE, GKN, NCC, and Rolls-Royce. It will mean that 40% more people get the opportunity to develop their skills in world-class facilities, equipped for some of the new jobs being created here in the country's fastest growing regional economy.”</em></p><p><span data-teams="true"><strong>Cllr Catherine Gibbons, North Somerset Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, families, skills and lifelong learning</strong>, said: “</span><em><span data-teams="true">We are delighted that Weston College has been selected as a Technical Excellence College for Advanced Manufacturing – one of only four nationally in this sector. This recognition highlights the College’s strong industry partnerships and its commitment to investing in high‑quality, future‑focused skills provision. Initiatives such as the £2.6 million Aerospace Skills Academy at Airbus Filton will give young people and students in North Somerset direct access to world‑class training, hands‑on experience and a clear pathway into high‑value careers. This designation will support social mobility and ensure local talent can build rewarding futures within our area, while also strengthening our economy and advanced manufacturing sector.</span></em></p><p><span data-teams="true">“</span><em><span data-teams="true">Ultimately, this is about raising aspirations and showing every young person in our community that they don’t have to look elsewhere to succeed - they can build a rewarding, fulfilling career right here at home</span></em><span data-teams="true">.”</span></p><p>Strategically located to meet regional demand, Weston College’s TEC status will help drive productivity, innovation and opportunity across the South West. It also supports the government’s ambition for two-thirds of young people to be engaged in higher-level learning by the age of 25, while reinforcing the importance of high-quality technical education as an equal and valuable route alongside university.</p><p>This latest announcement builds on the first wave of Technical Excellence Colleges launched in August 2025, which saw £100 million invested in improving facilities, teaching and employer collaboration nationwide. Together, these investments signal a long-term commitment to developing the skilled workforce Britain needs to compete globally.</p><p>As a Technical Excellence College, Weston College will continue to lead the way in delivering industry-aligned education, empowering learners, supporting employers, and strengthening the future of advanced manufacturing both regionally and nationally.</p>