<p>Weston College is delighted to announce that its Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College (AMTEC) has been shortlisted for two categories, at The Engineer’s 2026 Collaborate to Innovate (C2I) Awards, in: Manufacturing Technology and STEM Initiative.</p><p>The shortlisting recognises AMTEC’s contribution to developing the next generation of engineering talent, strengthening links between education and industry, and addressing the advanced manufacturing sector’s growing demand for specialist technical skills.</p><p>AMTEC has been established to deliver high-quality technical education in direct response to employer needs, providing learners with access to specialist facilities, industry-standard equipment and clear pathways into high-value careers.</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>Through close collaboration with employers and education partners, AMTEC aims to ensure that training reflects the technologies and capabilities needed by industry. Its ambitions also extend to widening participation in engineering, supporting learners from diverse backgrounds and creating opportunities for more people to access rewarding careers in the sector.</p><p>Weston College’s designation as one of only four Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence Colleges in England further highlights the national significance of the project and its potential to influence technical education beyond the South West.</p><p>Tracie Leahy, Programme Director – TEC National Hub and Partnerships, at Weston College, said: “We are incredibly proud that AMTEC has been shortlisted for these prestigious awards. This recognition reflects the ambition behind the project and the collaborative effort of our colleagues, employer partners and education providers.</p><p>“AMTEC is about more than providing specialist facilities. It is about bringing education and industry closer together, ensuring learners develop the skills employers need, and opening up opportunities for more people to build successful careers in advanced manufacturing.</p><p>“With nearly 800 learners enrolled at launch, we are excited about the difference AMTEC can make to the future workforce and the wider engineering sector. We look forward to celebrating alongside the other finalists.”</p><p>The Collaborate to Innovate Awards celebrate outstanding engineering collaborations that bring together expertise to tackle challenges, advance innovation and deliver meaningful impact.</p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/amtec">If you would like to find out about AMTEC, then please click here.</a></p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/employers?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=… you’re an employer looking to partner with the college, then please click here.</a></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>My name is Sophie, and I am the <strong>Skills &amp; Employment Business Partner</strong> at <a href="https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/">Bristol Airport,</a> where I oversee <strong>work experience, apprenticeships, </strong>the <strong>Take Off employability programme,</strong> <strong>careers talks</strong> and <strong>careers fairs</strong>. I also build partnerships with schools, colleges and other organisations to create opportunities for people to develop their skills, gain experience and progress into employment or further education.</p><p>When I left school, I honestly wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I wasn’t particularly academic and struggled with exams and traditional classroom learning, so I decided to enrol on a traineeship at Weston College to develop practical skills, gain workplace experience and explore my options.</p><p>After completing the classroom-based element of the traineeship, I moved on to a work experience placement in business administration. This helped me realise that the skills I was developing could be applied across a wide range of careers, which led me to pursue a <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/apprenticeships/business-and-… Administration apprenticeship</a> at Weston College.</p><p>I chose Business Administration because it offered transferable skills that would be useful in lots of different roles, even if I didn’t yet know exactly what career I wanted to pursue.</p><p>My experience at Weston College was really positive because it gave me the opportunity to learn in a way that suited me. Combining classroom learning with practical experience and time in the workplace helped me discover what I was good at, rather than feeling that I needed to have my future planned out already.</p><p>Completing my apprenticeship and passing my End-Point Assessment gave me the confidence to take the next step in my career.</p><p>After completing my apprenticeship, I stayed at Weston College and applied for a Support Worker role, helping young people who were in a similar position to where I had been. Many were unsure about their next steps or were not currently in education, employment or training.</p><p>I provided one-to-one advice, guidance and support to help them move into education or employment. It was incredibly rewarding to use my own experiences to show them that not knowing what you want to do at 16 or 18 doesn't mean you can't go on to have a successful career.</p><p>Even now, I still meet people who tell me that I helped them, which is something I'm incredibly proud of.</p><p>I continued to develop my career at Weston College, working across two contracts to support both young people and adults before moving into the apprenticeship team as a Recruitment Advisor.</p><p>One of my main responsibilities was recruiting for the traineeship programme, which was particularly special because it was where my own career journey had started. Having once been a learner on the programme, I was now helping other people access the same opportunities that had helped me.</p><p>After several years at Weston College, I decided I wanted to move into management. I joined a private training company as an <strong>Operations Manager,</strong> overseeing three contracts across the <strong>South West</strong> and <strong>Sussex,</strong> as well as a team of eight staff. The role focused on supporting people into employment through short adult courses and gave me valuable experience in leadership and operational management.</p><p>After around a year and a half, I moved into my current role at <a href="https://www.bristolairport.co.uk/">Bristol Airport</a> as the <strong>Skills &amp; Employment Business Partner.</strong></p><p>Looking back, my career has developed through taking opportunities as they came along, rather than following one fixed plan. Each role has helped me build new skills and experience, opening the door to the next stage of my career.</p><p>Weston College gave me the foundations I needed for my career. My Business Administration apprenticeship was particularly valuable because it helped me develop transferable skills in organisation, communication, planning and administration, which I still use every day.</p><p>It also taught me how to work in a professional environment and gave me practical workplace experience, allowing me to apply what I had learned rather than relying solely on theory.</p><p>Most importantly, Weston College gave me confidence. When I first started, I wasn't sure what I wanted to do and didn't necessarily feel that I was good at education. My experience showed me that there are different ways to learn and that you don't need to have your entire career mapped out from the beginning. That is something I continue to take with me in my work today, particularly when supporting people who are unsure about their future.</p><p>One of the biggest highlights of my career has been seeing the impact of the opportunities I've helped create for others.</p><p>At Bristol Airport, I love seeing apprentices develop throughout their programmes and watching work experience students go on to secure employment. It's particularly rewarding when someone starts with very little idea of what they want to do and discovers a career path they hadn't previously considered.</p><p>My role has also given me some amazing experiences, including the opportunity to visit the airport's control tower and see areas that most people never get to experience.</p><p>The thing I enjoy most about my current role, though, is the people. No two days are the same, and I get to work with colleagues across the airport, as well as schools, colleges, training providers and other organisations.</p><p>I really enjoy the variety, whether I'm working on apprenticeships, supporting our work experience programme or meeting with a college to discuss future opportunities. Everyone at the airport is incredibly helpful and willing to support one another. It genuinely feels like one big family, which makes it a great place to work.</p><p>Ultimately, helping people access opportunities that can change the direction of their careers is what I find most rewarding. It's something that has been a constant throughout my working life, from my time supporting young people at Weston College to the work I do at Bristol Airport today.</p><p>My biggest piece of advice is simple: <strong>don't worry if you don't know what you want to do.</strong></p><p>I didn't know what I wanted to do when I left school and, if I'm completely honest, I still don't have one specific career that I've always wanted to pursue!</p><p>Instead, I'd recommend choosing something that gives you transferable skills. That's why Business Administration worked so well for me. I didn't know where it would take me, but the skills I developed have been useful throughout my entire career.</p><p>I'd also really recommend considering an apprenticeship. You can earn while you learn, gain practical experience and develop skills in a real working environment that you might not gain through classroom learning alone.</p><p>Most importantly, don't feel like you have to have your whole future figured out. Take opportunities, learn from them and don't be afraid to change direction. Your first step doesn't have to determine where you end up.</p><p>If you ever need support or would simply like to have a chat, my door is always open!</p>

<p>Weston College and <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/">UCW</a&gt; Degree Apprentice Aiden has been gaining valuable hands-on experience in IT and cyber security during his time with <a href="https://ascentflighttraining.com/">Ascent Flight Training.</a></p><p>Aiden joined Ascent’s IT team in September 2025 as a <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/digital-and-technology-solutions-bsc-hons… Security Apprentice</a>, completing his degree apprenticeship alongside his role at the organisation. Ascent provides training for <strong>RAF, Royal Navy</strong> and <strong>Army aircrew</strong> at six sites across the UK, with Aiden based at its Training Hub in Bristol.</p><p>Having originally considered going to university, Aiden decided to explore alternative routes into his chosen career and discovered apprenticeships through the government website. He was particularly interested in the opportunity to work in cyber security while gaining experience within an organisation working closely with the armed forces and major industry partners.</p><p>He said: <em>“I was really interested in the cyber security project that Ascent offered and interested in working with the armed forces. Additionally, I liked the fact that we are constantly working with large companies, such as Babcock and Lockheed Martin. This allows me to have so many different experiences from so many different people.”</em></p><p>Throughout his apprenticeship, Aiden has had the opportunity to get involved in a variety of projects across Ascent’s ICT and Cyber Security teams, allowing him to put the knowledge gained through his degree into practice.</p><p>One of his projects has involved improving IT knowledge and training resources across the business. This has included reviewing and updating internal documentation, training materials and learning platform content, testing links, checking information was accurate and working with colleagues to improve the user experience.</p><p>Through this work, Aiden has developed his documentation, problem-solving and stakeholder communication skills, while helping to create a more effective learning experience for employees across Ascent.</p><p>Alongside his ICT responsibilities, Aiden has also supported a range of cyber security initiatives. These have included investigating security alerts, assisting with vulnerability management, reviewing user access permissions and helping to promote cyber security awareness among colleagues.</p><p>These opportunities have helped Aiden strengthen his understanding of cyber security operations and risk management, while giving him the chance to apply his degree learning in a real-world environment.</p><p>For Aiden, one of the biggest benefits of an apprenticeship is being able to combine academic study with practical experience. He said: <em>“Learning and working inside industry can provide skills and experiences not found elsewhere.</em></p><p><em>“The benefits are that you gain real-world experience with the same accreditation as a university degree. You can meet and work with people who have vast experiences and are experts in their field and you can learn physical skills, not found in a classroom.”</em></p><p>Aiden spends one day a week at Weston College alongside his full-time role at Ascent, giving him the opportunity to develop academically while continuing to build his professional experience.</p><p>Since joining Ascent, Aiden has continued to grow in confidence and capability, becoming an increasingly valued member of the IT team.</p><p>Ascent’s Head of IT, Edward Anderson, said: <em>“Aiden has become a fully integrated and valued member of the team during his first year at Ascent. His confidence has grown considerably, and he now makes a meaningful contribution across the business, bringing fresh thinking, innovative ideas and practical support, particularly through the use of AI-driven automation.</em></p><p><em>“It has been a pleasure to see his development and the positive impact he continues to make.”</em></p><p>Aiden’s manager, IT Operations Manager, Ed Morgan, said: <em>“By investing in apprenticeships, Ascent aims to build a strong learning culture that promotes mentorship and leadership development. It will support community and open opportunities to people from varied backgrounds, and strengthens our reputation as an employer that attracts high quality talent and partners, while helping close the Digital divide.</em></p><p><em>“Setting up and managing an apprenticeship requires some upfront planning and ongoing guidance, but once the structure is in place it becomes a manageable part of daily operations, as the apprentice grows in capability and contributes more to the team. Anything that has value requires effort, we spend half a day per week in support as minimum.”</em></p><p>For Aiden, his apprenticeship is providing a strong foundation for his future career, with plans to continue developing his skills across IT, cyber security and AI.</p><p>His experience highlights the opportunities available through degree apprenticeships at Weston College, combining higher-level study with valuable industry experience and the chance to develop skills within a real working environment.</p>