<p><a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/">University Centre Weston (UCW)</a> and the <a href="https://www.worcester.ac.uk/">University of Worcester (UoW)</a> have formed a partnership to deliver a brand-new <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/paramedic-degree-apprenticeship/"><strong… Degree Apprenticeship</strong></a> in collaboration with the <a href="https://www.swast.nhs.uk/">South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT)</a>.</p><p>This partnership is built on shared values and a strong commitment to supporting the local community. Both institutions have a well-established reputation for academic excellence and a deep understanding of local needs and skills gaps. This development reflects the shared vision for high-quality, community-focused education.</p><p>This degree apprenticeship is accredited and approved by the <a href="https://www.hcpc-uk.org/">Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)</a> (subject to final approval from HCPC). The programme aims to train people to become Paramedics working with SWASFT, giving them the skills and behaviours to thrive in this challenging environment. When the course is complete, learners will be able to apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council as a Registered Paramedic. To celebrate this new venture, representatives from UCW, UoW and SWASFT came together for an event to tour the facilities at UCW.</p><p>Examples of modules that will be studied through this degree apprenticeship are:</p><ul><li>Anatomy and Physiology&nbsp;</li><li>Applied Sciences for Paramedics</li><li>Person-centred Paramedic Practice Skills</li><li>Simulation and Professional Practice Leadership</li><li>Complex decision-making in Paramedic Practice</li></ul><p>The University of Worcester’s academic excellence and their student-focused approach align perfectly with UCW’s own ethos. UCW look forward to exploring further programme development opportunities with them, expanding our reach beyond the local area while maintaining our focus on student success and community impact. This collaboration marks an exciting step forward, and we’re proud to be working with a partner that shares our commitment to educational excellence and community development.</p><p>Dr Helen Scott, Head of the School of Health and Wellbeing at the UoW said <em>“We are delighted to be working with UCW and SWAST to bring this new opportunity for people in the South West to train to become a paramedic. The University of Worcester has an outstanding reputation for educating health professionals and has a deep commitment to inclusion and helping people to fulfil their potential. We hope this new partnership will deliver many more opportunities in the future.”</em></p><p>This new apprenticeship forms part of the Healthcare Careers Excellence Hub. University Centre Weston has ten sector-specific Career Excellence Hubs, which evidence our dedication to supporting both employers and learners in achieving their future goals. By creating a seamless connection between industry and education, we enable learners to acquire not only the essential skills and knowledge but also the professional networks necessary to excel in their chosen fields. </p><p>To find out more about this new degree apprenticeship, <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/paramedic-degree-apprenticeship/">click here.</a></p>

<p>Hi, I’m Lola, and I am a Senior Maternity Support Worker Apprentice (the senior healthcare support worker apprenticeship on the maternity pathway). This is my first professional role in the NHS, as I previously completed Innovate and UHBW Traineeship courses at Weston College which helped me develop soft skills to start in this role.</p><p>Some of my roles and responsibilities within my apprenticeship include:&nbsp;</p><ul><li><strong>maternal and neonatal observations&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>catheter and cannula removal/care</strong></li><li><strong>heel pick blood sample on neonates&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>breastfeeding/feeding support&nbsp;</strong></li><li><strong>escorting patients to various hospitals and appointments&nbsp;</strong></li></ul><p>The list could go on and on!</p><p>I’d say my favourite part of the job is the relationships you build with the patients. When you can just give somebody that listening ear and offer that emotional support, especially postnatally at 3am when it’s needed most. It’s those little moments where you can make someone’s experience just that bit better.</p><p>Some of the main skills I have learned during my apprenticeship so far are interpersonal skills and communication skills when speaking to colleagues and patients. I have also learned technical skills within the role such as observations, taking out cannulas and catheters (very satisfying to take out), and showing empathy when working with exhausted mothers.</p><p>The traineeship I completed helped me by giving me exposure to the world of the NHS through the 6-week placement in St Michael’s Hospital, which helped me to see what was needed to be successful in this industry. I also underwent dedicated sessions to develop employability skills which helped me get the apprenticeship, as well as sessions ran by industry experts regarding health care and UHBW specifically. At the 2024 Business Awards, I won the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news/business-awards-celebrate-learner-and-emp…, Sport &amp; Community Partnership Award</a> - watch my video from this below!</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0muha84HEeI?si=7xnh8ZuFoQz-ILXE&quot; title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> &nbsp;</p><p>My tutor (Laura Trace) provided support every step of the way, with every concern I had, and helped me believe I was able to do it. My assessor (Jenny Gamlin) provided me with experience backed advice and guidance due to her own work history in the field and her knowledge of the apprenticeship itself in preparation for my transition into the apprenticeship.</p><p>I have 16 months left of my L3 SHCSW apprenticeship. Once completed, I want to move onto a degree midwifery apprenticeship programme with the view of becoming a fully qualified midwife.</p><p>To anyone who is interested in pursuing this career, I would say there will be rough patches that are exhausting and emotionally draining (a big struggle within healthcare), so just make sure you speak up and ask for support, and you’ll come out of the other side. I would also like to give a special thanks to Gareth Brock (who I started at Weston with in innovate) who I was too scared to talk to in the beginning, but has been extremely supportive, as well as Laura Trace (TRA tutor) for listening to all of my anxiety induced ramblings, and Jenny Gamlin (my assessor) who now listens to my healthcare/NHS struggles. In other words, I wouldn’t and couldn’t have done it without them!</p>

<p>Last week in London,<a href="https://www.theengineer.co.uk/"&gt; The Engineer</a> hosted the 2025 Collaborate to Innovate Awards. Now in its ninth year, the C2I Awards were established to spotlight exemplary engineering collaborations that address complex societal challenges and advanced innovation. The C2I Awards evening consists of 9 different categories – and Weston College came on top for the highly regarded <strong>STEM Initiative Awards for Increase STEM in Apprenticeships</strong>!</p><drupal-entity data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="ec301ab2-c4c2-4cd5-ba3a-ff19e40529a5" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_400x400&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p>In response to the noted shortage of skilled workers in STEM, we have delivered a series of collaborative projects aimed at increasing engagement in STEM amongst young people, with the goal of fostering the next generation of engineers. We sought to address the gap by partnering with a range of organisations, both local and international for maximum impact.</p><p>The collaborations for this initiative were designed not only to spark interest in STEM careers but also to provide practical, hands-on experiences that can inspire and inform career choices among young learners – many of whom have never experienced engineering. Our partners included global leaders such as Boeing and First Scandinavia, local leaders like WEAF, and impactful organisations such as the Luke Wheaton Trust – all of which enabled us to create unique, accessible experiences that demystify engineering for young people.</p><p>Some examples of projects for the Increase STEM in Apprenticeships initiative included:</p><p><strong><u>The Mobile Newton Room&nbsp;</u></strong></p><p>One of the flagship projects for Increase STEM in Apprenticeships was the Mobile Newton Room, a collaboration between Weston College, <a href="https://www.firstscandinavia.org/">First Scandinavia</a>, and <a href="https://www.boeing.co.uk/">Boeing</a&gt;. This project brought an innovative flight simulator to the UK, marking the only stop in the country for this unique educational experience. The Mobile Newton Room was run by apprentices from Weston College, who guided local school children through the experience, offering many their first exposure to engineering principles. The project’s aim was to demystify engineering and make it accessible to a broader audience, particularly targeting young students who might not otherwise consider a career in this field. The collaboration exemplified how international and local expertise can be harnessed to create impactful educational opportunities.</p><p><strong><u>Engagement Through Events and Initiatives&nbsp;</u></strong></p><p>In addition to the Mobile Newton Room, Weston College collaborated with the <a href="https://www.weaf.co.uk/">West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF)</a> to host events that bridge the gap between employers and young people. These events serve as a platform for employers to engage directly with potential future employees, demonstrating the diverse career paths available within the STEM sectors. Such initiatives are crucial in providing young people with insights into the industry and the types of roles they could pursue, thereby helping to build a pipeline of future talent.</p><p><strong><u>Sustainable Engineering and the Great Big Green Week&nbsp;</u></strong></p><p>Weston College also hosted the Great Big Green Week, an initiative focused on sustainability and the role engineering can play in addressing environmental challenges. This week-long event was open to learners at Weston College and UCW, offering a series of activities designed to encourage sustainable thinking. By linking engineering with sustainability, this initiative not only educates but also motivates young people to consider how they can contribute to solving global issues through their future careers.</p><p><strong><u>Collaboration with the Luke Wheaton Trust&nbsp;</u></strong></p><p>In partnership with the Luke Wheaton Trust, Weston College has hosted several events, supported by employers such as <a href="https://www.gknaerospace.com/">GKN</a&gt;, <a href="https://rotamec.com/">Rotamec</a&gt;, and the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-defence">Minist… of Defence (MoD)</a>, providing young people with an overview of potential career paths in STEM. The partnership also extends to offering scholarships through the Luke Wheaton Trust, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent talented students from accessing engineering education and opportunities.</p><p><strong>Watch our C2I Awards video to learn more about our Increase STEM in Apprenticeships Initiative!</strong></p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9wjnsWypKIw?si=cogeXvxjZRN3B45_&quot; title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p>Tracie Leahy, Assistant Principal – Apprenticeships &amp; Skills, said:</p><p><em>“All of these various initiatives have had a significant impact: both driving engagement from young people and fostering improved links between education and industry. The Newton Room Project has been particularly impactful in sparking interest in STEM among younger students, delivering 19 sessions to 228 learners from local primary and secondary schools and introducing many children to engineering concepts for the first time. Meanwhile, through events organised with the Luke Wheaton Trust, the college has facilitated contact with industry for over 100 new individuals.”</em></p><p><em>“The college’s efforts have also led to a notable increase in the number of engineering apprenticeships. Indeed, the growing demand has been so substantial that it’s now planning to launch a dedicated engineering campus to accommodate and further support this interest.</em></p><p><em>“What’s more, the various STEM initiatives have deepened the college’s engagement with employers across a range of industries, who are now actively working with the college to offer a wide range of apprenticeships. This increased collaboration with employers enhances its ability to provide practical, real-world training that is directly aligned with industry needs”</em></p><p>Thank you to all our staff and partners who helped to bring Increase STEM in Apprenticeships to life, and who made an impact on our learners and the future of young engineers!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(97, 97, 97);font-family:&quot;Hco Gotham&quot;, &quot;Open Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">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&nbsp;</strong><a style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(16, 108, 177);font-family:&quot;Hco Gotham&quot;, &quot;Open Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;font-weight:500;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration:none;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…; target="_blank"><strong style="background-color:transparent;border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;font-size:18px;margin:0px;outline:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">here</strong></a><strong style="-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);border-width:0px;box-sizing:border-box;color:rgb(97, 97, 97);font-family:&quot;Hco Gotham&quot;, &quot;Open Sans&quot;, Arial, sans-serif;font-size:18px;font-style:normal;font-variant-caps:normal;font-variant-ligatures:normal;letter-spacing:normal;margin:0px;orphans:2;outline:0px;padding:0px;text-align:start;text-decoration-color:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:normal;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;">. 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>