<p><a href="https://www.airbus.com/en"><strong>Airbus</strong></a><strong&gt; </strong>and <strong>Weston College Group</strong> today announced the signing of a formal lease agreement for the new <strong>Aerospace Skills Academy</strong> at Airbus’ Filton site, marking a major milestone in strengthening national resilience through aerospace and advanced engineering skills.</p><p>Under the agreement, <strong>Weston College Group</strong> will transform a building on the Filton site into a new training facility dedicated to advanced manufacturing and engineering skills. The Academy is scheduled to open in<strong> September 2026</strong> in time for the new academic year.</p><p>The <strong>Aerospace Skills Academy</strong> forms a key strategic component of efforts to respond to the <strong>UK’s Industrial Strategy (including IS-8) and the Defence Industrial Strategy</strong>, both of which identify skills development as vital to sustaining global competitiveness in aerospace and wider engineering. The South West is home to a £2.7 billion aerospace cluster, making it a natural location for this investment in talent, innovation, and economic growth.</p><p><strong>Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group</strong>, said: “Signing this lease with <strong>Airbus</strong> is a transformational step in delivering world-class higher technical education that directly supports national and regional economic priorities.”</p><p><strong>Simon Galpin, Airbus Head of Filton Site</strong>, said, “The <strong>Aerospace Skills Academy</strong> represents a major investment in the future of UK aerospace and advanced engineering. Working with the <strong>Weston College Group</strong>, we are creating a pipeline of highly skilled talent that supports national capability, regional growth, and the long-term competitiveness of our industry.”</p><p>The Academy will operate as a flagship centre for technical education and workforce development, specifically tailored to meet the evolving needs of the aerospace and defence and advanced engineering employers. Its purpose is to strengthen the skills pipeline by aligning training provision directly with industry demand, supporting both national capability and regional economic resilience.</p><p>At the heart of the Academy will be an employer-led curriculum, co-designed with <a href="https://www.airbus.com/en">Airbus</a&gt; and a network of strategic partners including <a href="https://www.babcockinternational.com/">Babcock International Group</a>, <a href="https://www.gknaerospace.com/">GKN Aerospace</a>, <a href="https://www.mbda-systems.com/country-uk?rc=1">MBDA</a&gt;, <a href="https://www.nccuk.com/">NCC</a&gt;, <a href="https://www.rolls-royce.com/">Rolls-Royce</a&gt;, and <strong>regional SMEs</strong>. This collaborative approach will ensure learners develop the technical expertise, behaviours, and experience required to succeed in high-value engineering roles.</p><p>The Academy will also prioritise inclusive access and clear progression routes, enabling learners to move seamlessly from Level 3 apprenticeship programmes through to higher and degree-level qualifications. This approach will help open high-quality careers in advanced manufacturing and engineering to individuals from a wide range of backgrounds.</p><p>Learners will be trained in refurbished workshop and teaching spaces featuring upgraded digital infrastructure and sustainability-focused systems. These facilities will mirror real industrial environments, providing hands-on, practical experience that prepares graduates to make an immediate and meaningful contribution to the UK’s advanced engineering, aerospace, and defence sectors.</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&nbsp;</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>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Weston College and <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/#next">University Centre Weston (UCW)</a> have announced plans for an exciting new <strong>Skills Academy in the Aerospace &amp; Defence space</strong>, located at Airbus Filton, Bristol.</p><p>Set to welcome its first learners in September 2026, the <strong>Skills Academy</strong> will offer a unique, industry-led training environment designed to equip future engineers and technicians with the advanced skills required across aerospace, defence, and cutting-edge manufacturing sectors.</p><p>This £2.6 million project, developed in collaboration with key industry partners including <strong>Airbus, GKN Aerospace, Ministry of Defence and Rolls-Royce</strong> represents a significant milestone in Weston College Group’s mission to expand higher technical education and strengthen its position as a national leader in skills innovation.</p><p><strong>Engineering the Future</strong></p><p>The <strong>Skills Academy</strong> will provide learners with hands-on experience across fully equipped workshops, laboratories, and specialist learning spaces that reflect real engineering and manufacturing environments.</p><p>Planned facilities include:&nbsp;</p><ul><li>Machine Shop&nbsp;</li><li>Maintenance Workshop&nbsp;</li><li>Fabrication Workshop&nbsp;</li><li>Engine Room&nbsp;</li><li>Electronics Lab&nbsp;</li><li>Hydraulics Lab&nbsp;</li><li>Aero Lab&nbsp;</li><li>Control Lab&nbsp;</li><li>CAD Suites&nbsp;</li><li>State-of-the-Art Classrooms&nbsp;</li><li>Lecture Hall and Newton Room for Career Events&nbsp;</li><li>Student Support Hub, Common Area, and Multi-Faith Room&nbsp;</li><li>Quiet Room, Locker Room, Showers, and Changing Facilities.</li></ul><p>With a strong focus on practical, project-based learning, the Skills Academy will enable students to engage with every aspect of engineering, from design and development to testing, problem-solving, and maintenance, within a live aerospace setting.</p><p><strong>Built Around Learners and Industry</strong></p><p>The <strong>Skills Academy</strong> is intended to deliver higher and degree-level apprenticeships while offering clear progression routes for full-time students already on <strong>Weston College’s</strong> engineering pathways. Learners will also have the unique opportunity to observe and engage with elements of the construction and fit-out phases, gaining valuable insights into project planning, site operations, and facility development.</p><p>Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said:</p><p>“This <strong>Skills Academy</strong> represents our commitment to innovation, employer collaboration, and delivering world-class technical education. By locating this facility at <strong>Airbus</strong> Filton, we are placing learning at the heart of the region’s engineering excellence, giving our students unparalleled access to the people, projects, and technologies shaping the future of aerospace and defence.”</p><p><strong>Connecting Education with Industry Needs</strong></p><p>The <strong>Skills Academy</strong> forms a central part of <strong>Weston College Group’s</strong> contribution to the <strong>Regional Aerospace and Defence Skills</strong> Initiative. It will help meet the growing national demand for advanced manufacturing and engineering expertise, ensuring learners are fully prepared to begin careers with leading employers such as <strong>Airbus, GKN Aerospace, Rolls-Royce and the Ministry of Defence</strong>, and other major engineering organisations.</p><p>Applications for September 2026 are open now. Please <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/engineering-and-construction/"… here</a> for more details.</p><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/WCMT-ONE-ZZ-XX-DV-A-0002-P01-3D-Visual-Reception-and-Common-Rm.jpg" data-entity-uuid="026b3eab-d22b-4d26-a9f9-bbd7d6284307" data-entity-type="file" alt="Concept Arts for new centre reception" width="4961" height="3508"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/WCMT-ONE-ZZ-XX-DV-A-0003-P01-3D-Visual-Conference-Room.jpg" data-entity-uuid="3e03f0d2-5bf0-49d3-9025-5ae28b9a7ee3" data-entity-type="file" alt="Concept Arts for new centre" width="4961" height="3508"><p><em>All images are indicative concept renderings and are subject to further design development</em></p>

<p>Weston College and University Centre Weston (UCW) brought together leading engineering employers on Wednesday 19 November 2025, for a high-level Engineering Technical Advisory Board session, which was aimed at shaping the future of technical education across the region.</p><p>The event was hosted at GKN Aerospace, Bristol, and focused on strengthening collaboration between industry and education to ensure that training, curriculum design, and skills development continue to meet the needs of the local engineering and advanced manufacturing sectors.</p><p>The session provided employers like Airbus, Babcock, GKN Aerospace, Ministry of Defence NCC, Rolls Royce and Safran with the opportunity to directly influence how the Weston College Group prepares the next generation of engineers and technicians. Discussions explored how businesses can help co-design future-focused curriculum pathways, support industry placements, and inspire learners to pursue rewarding careers within aerospace, defence, and wider engineering industries.</p><p>The Advisory Board is part of Weston College’s broader commitment to working together with employers to develop specialist training that reflects real-world challenges and emerging technologies. Insights gathered will also inform future programmes delivered through the College’s growing engineering portfolio, including its planned Aerospace Skills Academy.</p><p>By bringing together key partners, from major primes to SMEs across the supply chain the event created a shared space for discussing skills needs, innovation opportunities, and workforce challenges. Employers had the chance to highlight priority areas such as digitalisation, advanced manufacturing, sustainable engineering, and the evolving requirements of the aerospace and defence industries.&nbsp;</p><p>Tracie Leahy, Weston College’s Assistant Principal - Apprenticeships &amp; Skills said:</p><p>“Employer collaboration is vital to ensuring our engineering provision remains relevant, responsive, and future-ready. This event was designed to bring industry expertise to the forefront, enabling us to co-create training that truly supports economic growth, productivity, and long-term skills development across the region.”</p>