Weston College was proud to contribute to the latest Bristol & Bath Cluster Meeting hosted by the West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF), held at the Airbus AIRTeC Centre in Filton.

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.

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.

A central focus of the meeting was the proposed Aerospace Skills Academy in Filton, introduced by Weston College and due to launch in September 2026.

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.

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 Aerospace Skills Academy 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.

The Bristol & Bath Cluster Meeting demonstrated the strength of engagement across the South West and the shared commitment to developing the future workforce.

Weston College extends its thanks to WEAF for organising such a productive and forward-looking event, to Airbus for hosting, and to the members and partners whose insight and collaboration continue to drive progress across the region.

Weston College is currently recruiting staff ahead of the Aerospace Skills Academy’s planned September 2026 opening. Individuals interested in supporting the next generation of aerospace talent are encouraged to get in touch:

• View current vacancies WORKING FOR THE COLLEGE | Weston College

• Register interest for flexible opportunities Expression of Interest

• Contact our Recruitment Team for an informal conversation – grouprecruitment@weston.ac.uk   or call 01934 411411