<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>

<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Weston College was proud to contribute to the latest Bristol &amp; Bath Cluster Meeting hosted by the <strong>West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF)</strong>, held at the <strong>Airbus AIRTeC Centre</strong> in Filton.</p><p>The event brought together industry leaders, education providers and regional stakeholders to explore how the South West can collectively strengthen the aerospace and advanced engineering skills pipeline.</p><p>The meeting focused on workforce pressures facing the sector, the impact of emerging technologies, and the importance of closer collaboration to ensure businesses of all sizes can access the talent they need.</p><p>A central focus of the meeting was the proposed <strong>Aerospace Skills Academy</strong> in Filton, introduced by <strong>Weston College</strong> and due to launch in September 2026.</p><p>The Academy is being developed in partnership with employers to help address workforce shortages across the regional aerospace cluster. Designed to align closely with real business needs, the initiative will strengthen links between employers and training providers, supporting long-term regional growth.</p><p>Throughout the session, delegates emphasised the importance of employer involvement in shaping curriculum and delivery, ensuring provision works not only for prime manufacturers but also for SMEs across the supply chain. Weston College is already working closely with employers to co-design its <strong>Aerospace Skills Academy</strong> programmes and is particularly keen to expand collaboration with SMEs, recognising their critical role in the regional aerospace ecosystem. By engaging smaller businesses more directly in curriculum development, placements and skills planning, the College aims to ensure training provision is accessible, responsive and aligned to the real-world needs of the entire supply chain.</p><p>The Bristol &amp; Bath Cluster Meeting demonstrated the strength of engagement across the South West and the shared commitment to developing the future workforce.</p><p><strong>Weston College</strong> extends its thanks to <strong>WEAF </strong>for organising such a productive and forward-looking event, to <strong>Airbus</strong> for hosting, and to the members and partners whose insight and collaboration continue to drive progress across the region.</p><p><strong>Weston College</strong> is currently recruiting staff ahead of the <strong>Aerospace Skills Academy’s</strong> planned September 2026 opening. Individuals interested in supporting the next generation of aerospace talent are encouraged to get in touch:</p><ul><li><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">View current vacancies <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-… FOR THE COLLEGE | Weston College</a></p></li><li><p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Register interest for flexible opportunities <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=FgfhBifCK0qqQ-seKHr… of Interest</a></p></li><li>Contact our Recruitment Team for an informal conversation – <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="mailto:grouprecruitment@weston.ac.uk">grouprecruitment@weston.ac.uk</a&…; &nbsp;&nbsp;or call 01934 411411</li></ul>