<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Weston College is proud to announce the launch of its <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hospi…; Foundation Apprenticeship</strong>, starting in October 2026, designed to support both local businesses and young people to thrive in the sector.&nbsp;</p><p>The programme offers a unique opportunity for employers to build their future workforce early, while supporting young people in gaining meaningful experiences and confidence in a real working environment.&nbsp;</p><p>Foundation Apprenticeships are employed roles with structured support, combining practical, on-the-job experience with one day per week of college-based learning.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Benefits to Hospitality Businesses</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>With the busy autumn and Christmas trading period approaching, Weston College is calling on hospitality businesses to take advantage of this time to train and develop new talent during peak operational periods, as well as identify&nbsp;high-potential individuals ahead of future recruitment cycles&nbsp;and build a sustainable pipeline of skilled staff ready for Summer 2027.</p><p>Employers will&nbsp;benefit&nbsp;from supporting apprentices to develop essential skills including:&nbsp;</p><ul><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e8beea55d40371f3d99417019e729088a">Customer service and communication&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e0534fbde778c946a2a953e6a1cc76602">Food preparation and service&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e4e414303a4bc5f3a9ccb3bb15d882612">Teamwork and workplace behaviours&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e8131741a90711cc3138a87bae0ed6714">Stock management and food safety&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e3f00742ce9d115ee65d9546419f55221">Health and safety awareness&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><p><strong>Supporting Young People into the Industry</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>The Foundation Apprenticeship is specifically designed for young people who&nbsp;benefit&nbsp;from:&nbsp;</p><ul><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e02f73240518f88c5430e00befe383f91">A broader introduction to the workplace&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e5a0768f1c0adbfbfd27c09642dfd024a">Additional&nbsp;support and structured development&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e3d2c64db4af2f82223f22d9c79950f5f">Clear progression routes into employment or further apprenticeships&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e9b968386a3b5cb28601f9d3f515c969c">This approach helps learners build confidence, capability, and career direction, while enabling employers to shape talent from an early stage.&nbsp;</li></ul><p><strong>Funding and Progression Opportunities</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Employers may be eligible for up to £2,000 per apprentice to support participation.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>At the end of the programme, apprentices can progress into&nbsp;a&nbsp;Level 2 or Level 3 apprenticeship&nbsp;and sustained employment within the business.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Get Involved</strong>&nbsp;</p><p>Weston College is now seeking hospitality employers across the region who are keen to:&nbsp;</p><ul><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e64f2825f0b9c220748a127225704f2c1">Invest in future talent&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="eee514a6caf7c8e878a78c60b2c35c603">Support young people into the industry&nbsp;</li><li class="ProsemirrorEditor-listItem" style="margin-left:32px;" data-list-indent="1" data-list-type="bulleted" data-list-item-id="e2e5490170f752837c9ace9bc33289e3b">Strengthen their workforce ahead of Summer 2027&nbsp;</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Now is the ideal time to recruit, train, and shape your future team.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>For more information or to get involved, please contact:</strong> <strong>01934 411594&nbsp;or email&nbsp;</strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="mailto:apprenticeships@weston.ac.uk"><strong>apprenticeships@weston.ac…;

<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>Staff from the <strong>Construction Professions</strong> and<strong> Apprenticeships </strong>teams recently rolled up their sleeves to support the <strong>"Leaving a Legacy"</strong> community project, volunteering their time to help improve local allotments and construct a new timber shed on the Bournville Estate in Weston-super-Mare.</p><p>The project, led by <a href="https://www.octavius.co.uk/">Octavius</a&gt; in partnership with <a href="https://www.alliancehomes.org.uk/">Alliance Homes</a>, aims to restore and enhance community allotment spaces for local residents, creating a lasting positive impact for the area.</p><p>The volunteering effort began when members of the Apprenticeships team joined the project at The Great Rhyne Gardens. Their activities included de-weeding allotments, planting vegetables, creating woodchip pathways, and sanding and painting various features around the site.</p><p>The college has a strong working relationship with Octavius, the main contractor responsible for the Winterstoke Road replacement railway bridge project in Weston-super-Mare and one of the college's valued Career Excellence Hub partners. The partnership currently supports two T Level learners who are completing their industry placements with the company, with one student based on the Winterstoke Road project and another working on the nearby A38 road improvement scheme.</p><p>Over the past year, learners and staff have benefited from site visits to Octavius projects, while representatives from the company have visited the college to deliver guest speaker sessions and share valuable industry insights.</p><p>Together, the teams helped construct a timber shed for the allotment site on the Bournville Estate, contributing practical skills and teamwork to support the wider restoration project.</p><p>The <strong>"Leaving a Legacy"</strong> project demonstrates the positive impact that can be achieved when education providers, industry partners and housing organisations work together to strengthen local communities. Through initiatives such as this, staff not only support worthwhile causes but also reinforce the strong partnerships that create opportunities for learners and residents alike.</p><p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">This trip forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… Professions</a> 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><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>&nbsp;</p>