<p><strong>Weston College Group’s Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College welcomes first learners to new industry-focused campus</strong></p><p>Today marks a major milestone for technical education in the South West as Weston College Group's Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College (AMTEC) officially opens for business, welcoming its first cohort of apprentices to its new industry-standard campus in Filton.</p><p>Nearly 800 apprentices will begin in its first week of operation. The opening represents the culmination of months of planning, investment and collaboration between Weston College Group and leading employers from the aerospace, engineering and advanced manufacturing sectors.</p><p>Situated on Airbus' Filton site, the facility has been transformed into a specialist training centre dedicated to developing the next generation of engineers, technicians and manufacturing professionals. The campus features industry-standard workshops, modern teaching spaces and the latest digital infrastructure designed to replicate real-world manufacturing environments and provide learners with valuable hands-on experience. £4 million invested in the transformation of the site, AMTEC represents one of the most significant recent investments in technical education for the advanced manufacturing and aerospace sectors in the South West.</p><p>Located in the heart of one of the UK's most significant aerospace and advanced manufacturing hubs, AMTEC will deliver specialist training aligned to employer needs, working closely with industry partners including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, GKN Aerospace and Babcock to ensure apprentices develop the skills required by modern industry.</p><p>The opening comes following Weston College Group's designation as one of England's Technical Excellence Colleges, enabling additional investment in training for high-demand sectors and strengthening links between education and industry. Through employer-led curriculum design and close collaboration with major manufacturers, AMTEC aims to address skills shortages while creating clear pathways into high-value engineering and manufacturing careers.</p><p>As one of four colleges that form the national AMTEC partnership, alongside City of Wolverhampton College, Newcastle &amp; Stafford Colleges Group and New College Durham, the Weston College Group will also contribute to a wider programme of collaboration focused on strengthening advanced manufacturing education across England.</p><p>Pat Jones, Principal and CEO of the Weston College Group, said:</p><p>"Today is an incredibly proud moment for everyone involved in the creation of AMTEC. After months of hard work, planning and collaboration, it is fantastic to finally welcome our first apprentices into this outstanding new facility.</p><p>"AMTEC has been created to give learners access to world-class technical education in the heart of one of the UK's most important aerospace and advanced manufacturing communities. By working closely with employers, we will ensure our apprentices develop the practical skills, technical expertise and industry experience needed to thrive in their careers.</p><p>"This is not only a significant milestone for Weston College Group, but also for the wider region as we help build the skilled workforce that will support the future growth and success of aerospace, engineering and advanced manufacturing."</p><p>Sue Partridge, Airbus Commercial Aircraft UK Country Manager, said:</p><p>“The future of the aerospace industry relies on developing the next generation of talent who are crucial to keeping our industry ahead of the game. Apprenticeships are a key part of that so we’re absolutely delighted to be hosting the AMTEC on our Filton site. The dedicated training facility will provide workshops and teaching spaces that mirror our industrial environment, supporting the development of skills and talent to meet aerospace industry needs. Filton has a long and proud history within the UK’s aviation story, and this collaboration reinforces our ongoing commitment to investing in local talent, creating high-value career pathways, and supporting the South West’s thriving aerospace ecosystem.</p><p>The new campus represents a significant investment in the future of technical education and the region's economy. With the South West home to one of Europe's largest aerospace clusters, AMTEC will help strengthen the pipeline of skilled professionals entering the industry, supporting innovation, productivity and long-term economic growth.</p><p>The opening of AMTEC marks the beginning of an ambitious journey to establish the college as a centre of excellence for technical education, helping apprentices gain the skills employers need today while preparing them for the industries of tomorrow.</p>

<p>Today Weston College welcomed <strong>Jim Davison, National Membership Director </strong>at <a href="https://www.makeuk.org/"><strong>Make UK</strong></a>, to its <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/amtec"><strong>Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College (AMTEC)</strong></a> on <a href="https://www.makeuk.org/national-manufacturing-day"><strong>National Manufacturing Day,</strong></a> celebrating both the College's growing role in supporting the region's manufacturing sector and its recent membership of the UK's leading manufacturers' organisation.</p><p>The visit provided an opportunity to showcase how Weston College is working closely with employers to develop the next generation of engineering and manufacturing talent through industry-focused training, apprenticeships and technical education.</p><p>The day also marked Weston College officially becoming a member of <a href="https://www.makeuk.org/"><strong>Make UK</strong>,</a> joining a national community of manufacturers, engineering businesses and industry partners committed to strengthening UK manufacturing.</p><p>As a member, Weston College will benefit from <a href="https://www.makeuk.org/"><strong>Make UK's</strong></a> extensive programme of networking events, industry briefings and conferences, while also gaining access to the Make UK Capability Platform, which enables members to connect, collaborate, share expertise and showcase their capabilities to the wider manufacturing community.</p><p>The partnership further strengthens Weston College's commitment to supporting manufacturers across the South West and ensuring learners develop the skills needed to meet the evolving demands of modern industry.</p><p><a href="https://www.makeuk.org/"><strong>Make UK</strong></a> National Membership Director Jim Davison said:</p><p><em>“National Manufacturing Day is all about celebrating the people, skills and innovation that drive our sector, so AMTEC was the perfect place to visit. Weston College is doing outstanding work in training the next generation of engineers, technicians and manufacturing professionals. As a former engineer it was a pleasure to meet so many young people who are passionate about careers in our industry.</em></p><p><em>“Manufacturers consistently tell us that access to the right skills is critical to their future, and AMTEC is a strong example of education and industry working together to meet that need. We are delighted to have Weston College as a member of Make UK and look forward to seeing our relationship go from strength to strength.”</em></p><p>Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, said:</p><p><em>"Joining Make UK is an important milestone for Weston College and AMTEC and reflects our commitment to supporting manufacturers across the region. Through AMTEC, we are helping businesses develop the skilled workforce they need. Membership of Make UK will strengthen those relationships further and ensure we remain connected to national industry priorities."</em></p><p>During the <a href="https://www.makeuk.org/national-manufacturing-day"><strong>National Manufacturing Day</strong></a> visit, colleagues from Weston College and <a href="https://www.makeuk.org/"><strong>Make UK</strong></a> discussed the challenges and opportunities facing the sector, including skills development, workforce growth, productivity and the future of advanced manufacturing in the UK.</p><p><a href="https://www.makeuk.org/national-manufacturing-day"><strong>National Manufacturing Day</strong></a> shines a spotlight on the importance of manufacturing to the UK economy and provides an opportunity to celebrate the innovation, technology and skilled workforce that underpin the sector.</p>

<p>The <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/amtec"><strong>Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College (AMTEC)</strong></a> is on target to open its doors as planned in Filton, Bristol, marking an exciting new chapter for technical education and the Weston College Group.</p><p>Following months of hard work, construction of the new specialist campus has been completed on schedule. With teaching staff now on site and final preparations underway, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/amtec">AMTEC</a&gt; is ready to welcome its first learners.</p><p>A significant milestone in the project was reached this week as Senior Capital Works Project Manager Mark Eustace officially handed over the keys to the new facility to Vice Principal of <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/amtec">AMTEC</a&gt;, Andy Smith, marking the transition from construction and fit-out to teaching and learning preparations ahead of opening.</p><p>Located in the heart of Filton, one of the UK's leading aerospace and advanced manufacturing hubs, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/amtec">AMTEC</a&gt; has been created to deliver high-quality technical training for the next generation of skilled engineers and manufacturing professionals.</p><p>The new Technical Excellence College will provide specialist training across aerospace and advanced manufacturing, working closely with major employers and SMEs across the region, including <a href="https://www.airbus.com/en">Airbus</a&gt;, <a href="https://www.rolls-roycemotorcars.com/en_GB/home.html">Rolls-Royce</a&gt;, <a href="https://www.gknaerospace.com/">GKN</a&gt; and <a href="https://www.babcockinternational.com/">Babcock</a>.</p><p>Teaching begins on Monday 28th September, when <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/amtec">AMTEC's</a&gt; first cohort of learners will start their studies, with around 200 apprentices expected on the first day and approximately 700 apprentices due to attend the new campus throughout its first week of operation.</p><p>The development represents a significant investment in the future of technical education and the region's engineering and manufacturing sectors, creating a dedicated environment where apprentices can develop the practical skills, technical expertise and industry experience needed by employers. As a Technical Excellence College, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/amtec">AMTEC</a&gt; will play a key role in supporting economic growth, addressing skills shortages and helping to build the highly skilled workforce required for the future of UK manufacturing and engineering.</p><p>Andy Smith, Vice Principal of <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/amtec">AMTEC</a&gt;, said:</p><p><em>"AMTEC is on target to open as planned, and it is incredibly exciting to see the vision for this new college becoming a reality.</em></p><p><em>"The completion of the building work, the arrival of our teaching team and the preparations for our first learners are all major milestones. We have created a genuinely outstanding facility in the heart of one of the UK's most important aerospace and advanced manufacturing communities.</em></p><p><em>"Receiving the keys to the building marks the beginning of the next chapter as we focus on delivering an exceptional learning experience for our apprentices. Our ambition is for AMTEC to become a centre of excellence for technical education, working hand in hand with employers to give our learners the skills and experience they need to build successful careers and support the future of these vital industries."&nbsp;</em></p><p>Mark Eustace, Senior Capital Works Project Manager for <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/amtec">AMTEC</a&gt;, said:&nbsp;</p><p><em>"Handing over the keys to Andy and the Curriculum team is a proud moment and marks the culmination of a tremendous effort from everyone involved in delivering this project.&nbsp;</em></p><p><em>"From initial planning through to completion, the focus has been on creating a technical training facility that meets the needs of both learners and industry. It has been fantastic to see the building take shape, and I am delighted to officially pass the campus over to the team who will bring it to life through teaching, learning and employer engagement."&nbsp;</em></p><p>With its doors nearly ready to open, <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/amtec">AMTEC</a&gt; is preparing for an exciting new chapter, helping to develop the skilled workforce that will drive the future of aerospace and advanced manufacturing.</p>