<p data-start="267" data-end="409">We spoke with <a href="https://www.muller.co.uk/">Müller</a&gt; about the Leadership and Management apprenticeships they offer through Weston College, designed to develop their employee's skills and support career progression.</p><p data-start="411" data-end="431">&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Could you briefly introduce Müller and the work the organisation does?</strong></p><p>We make dairy that makes people smile – as well as being nutritious and delicious! From Müller Corner yogurts to the 100% British milk you put in your morning cuppa, our products have been loved across the UK &amp; Ireland for generations.</p><p>Sourcing milk from over 1,000 farms up and down the UK, we serve millions of families every day with a range of branded and private label goods which are nutritious and delicious. We’re one of the UK and Ireland’s major dairy manufacturers and, with milk in 97% of UK fridges and yogurt in 78%, there’s a very good chance you have a Müller product in yours.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Can you outline the Leadership and Management training you offer?</strong></p><p>We presently offer Level 3 and Level 5 Leadership training that is designed to give Muller Colleagues the opportunity to develop, extend their knowledge and progress their careers with our business. The courses are designed to allow sufficient time for each member on each cohort to spend time, not only learning about their apprenticeship, but also getting to know colleagues across the business.</p><p>Each Cohort is aligned to provide a block release period every 6-8 weeks for all individuals to attend and spend 3 days together with Weston College and to work with one another, supporting each other through their journey. We purposely vary locations across the UK, using both Muller facilities, so that colleagues get to visit other locations in the Muller Network, and also, off site locations to allow each Cohort time to focus away from the work environment.</p><p>It is hopeful that the program will provide individuals and the muller business, clear lines of succession and internal promotion opportunities</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>What kind of impact has the Leadership and Management training had on participants?</strong></p><p>We have had a couple of individuals so far that have been offered opportunities to move into new roles. Please see some Bio’s from some of the management team below.</p><p><em>“Our apprentice is currently undertaking a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Leadership and Management which has already had a positive impact on both his development and our wider function. The programme has given the individual a deeper understanding of various leadership styles and how to apply them effectively in his day-to-day role. This has strengthened his confidence, improved his decision-making and enhanced the way he supports the team. The apprenticeship is also helping to build a strong pipeline of future leaders through the academy, creating further opportunities for growth within the business.”&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>“Both of our apprentices have been given exposure to certain meetings (management meeting and Business planning) which aids them with their exposure to other sites and knowledge of higher level detail. They have been going above and beyond their job role as they have taken on certain projects to aid with the course and support the business. And we are really pleased to say that one of our apprentices has recently been seconded into a shift lead role with the support of the course getting her ready for that next step.”</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Why do you believe it is important for organisations to continuously upskill their staff?</strong></p><p>We believe in creating an environment whereby people feel valued. In Muller, we want individuals to be able to develop both personally and technically and to equip them with the right skills to progress their careers. For any successful organisation, people must be at the heart of everything they do. Failure to give people the opportunity to develop often leads to individuals becoming stagnant, uninterested and potentially looking for other roles.</p><p>If organisations invest, they create interest, a desire to develop, an engaged and knowledgeable workforce that provides clear succession plans and futureproofs any business.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Are there any standout success stories from learners who have completed the programme?</strong></p><p>We have a couple of individuals that have so far been offered secondment roles into more senior positions and are thriving. We are confident that this will continue as the course evolves through 2026.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Looking ahead, what are your long-term goals for the number of staff you hope to enrol on this course?</strong></p><p>We hope to have approximately 40-60 colleagues undertaking the Level 3 and 5 Apprenticeships per year for the next 5 years.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Finally, what broader impact do you hope this training will have on the businesses that invest in their employees through this programme?</strong></p><p>Lower Turnover and a more engaged and knowledgeable workforce.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/node/88092"><drupal-entity data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e9206b0a-2ceb-43a8-8cc9-a0fc47f30aec" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_900x900&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity></a>

<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>