Hi, I’m Georgia, an apprentice at Weston College.

I started my Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship in May 2021 working in the Employment Services Department. It has been such a fantastic experience for me, and I have actually already received a promotion as an Account Co-ordinator within the West of England Works Team – whilst still completing my apprenticeship.

I didn’t start an apprenticeship fresh out of school or college, I was actually working in a full-time, permanent position, however I felt I wanted to gain a qualification whilst continuing to earn a wage. It was at this point I looked down the apprenticeship route.

After researching further into the different apprenticeship routes available, I decided that the Level 3 Business Administration apprenticeship was perfect for me. I feel that an apprenticeship gives you the perfect balance between work and study and this is just what I was after.  

My apprenticeship has provided me with so many opportunities, and it has really helped me to develop a number of key skills, which will benefit me in my career.

One of the biggest skills I was able to learn and improve during my apprenticeship was my Digital Skills. I had the opportunity to complete my Microsoft Word, PowerPoint and Excel Certifications and I was able to earn the Microsoft Office Specialist: Associate Level Certification.

My apprenticeship has also helped me gain confidence in communicating with external stakeholders, as I have built the skills which enable me to communicate professionally and confidently. This has really benefited me in my new role, as I am required to communicate regularly with the external partners from the West of England Works Project. 

If you’re reading this and considering an apprenticeship, you should definitely go for it! It will open new doors to you, and give you many transferable skills which will help you to achieve your career goals.

Not only that, the support available is second to none. I have received support from my assessor, manager and colleagues, which has meant that the whole process of my apprenticeship has been smooth and manageable.

Thanks to my apprenticeship, I have been able to start my career and I am excited to see what the future holds for me.

Georgia Stanbridge, Account Co-ordinator within the West of England Works Team

If you'd like to follow in Georgia's footsteps with an apprenticeship, you can start your journey, here. 

Weston College with the support of their partners GKN Aerospace launched an aviation industry high-skilled personnel training project with Jiangsu Jingjiang Secondary Specialized School in China today (18th January 2022).

Whilst in the midst of a global pandemic it would be reasonable to assume that overseas partnerships would stall or cease entirely. Contrary to this, Weston College’s initial foray into the international arena has seen significant progress with the official signing of the partnership.

Utilising technology to overcome vast geographical distances, the College’s work with Jingjiang School, in developing a bespoke aerospace manufacturing training centre, has continued to progress on schedule with the official signing ceremony involving Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive, Weston College Group, Mr Weiguo Gu, Jingjiang Secondary Specialized School, Principal, Mr Paul Collinson, Operations Director – China, GKN Aerospace Services Ltd, Mr Gang Xu, Jingjiang Secondary Specialized School, Vice Principal, Mr Longfei Li，Human Resources Director of Kafei, Mr Jing Wang, Vice Director, Jingjiang Economic and Technological Development Zone Management Committee.

The project involves the development, implementation and ongoing quality assurance of aerospace manufacturing training, onsite at Jingjiang School. Jingjiang School will provide the highly skilled workforce required to operate an aerospace manufacturing facility for a joint venture (JV) partnership involving GKN Aerospace, AVIC International and Shanghai Aircraft Manufacturing Co. Ltd (SAMC – subsidiary of COMAC).

The training of the employees for the JV facility involves the development of a range of specific skills and capabilities in manufacturing and assembling of metallic and composite aircraft structure, e.g., aircraft fuselage, wings, and empennage. This is the first of its kind in the Jiangsu Province.

The state-of-the-art, 80,000m2 facility in Jingjiang will offer COMAC, AVIC and Western customers the opportunity to access an important local supply of advanced aerostructures in the country.

The JV builds on COMAC, AVIC and GKN Aerospace’s proven track record in the global commercial aviation industry. Production is scheduled to begin in Q4 2023, and the workforce is expected to grow to 1,000 employees.

Jiangsu Jingjiang School are a large specialized vocational school that caters primarily to students of a similar age range to UK Further Education colleges. Jingjiang School, similar to Weston College, has an outstanding reputation through delivery of excellent outcomes for learners with employment rates, pass rates and student satisfaction rates in the high nineties year-on-year. The School boasts a national level engineering training centre with 85 practical laboratories and workshops specialising in electrical and electronical, hydraulics and pneumatics, numerical control machining, computer networking technologies, and automobile maintenance.

Aerospace manufacturing will be a new strand of activity for the school, drawing on the expertise and established educational systems currently delivered at Weston College.

The legendary Glastonbury Festival creator Michael Eavis recently visited Weston College where he was honoured with having the Music Department’s performance suite named after him.

Michael started the famous festival in 1970 from his dairy farm in Pilton, Somerset. With a history of huge headliners including David Bowie, Beyonce and Stormzy, the festival now has over 200,000 attendees each year making it one of the biggest festivals in the world. 

After visiting the popular Creative Arts Summer Show in July 2021, Michael was inspired to see the incredible pool of talent in the artwork and performances on display at the College’s art festival. 

To honour Michael and his outstanding contributions to the live music industry, it was decided by Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, Dr Paul Phillips CBE, to name the College’s main music performance space “The Michael Eavis Performance Suite”. 
This learning facility is at the heart of the Music Department. Here the students host countless live gigs with a full digital mixing desk and professional lighting rig to emulate an industry standard music venue. 

On arrival to Loxton Campus, to unveil the brass plaque for the facility’s new name, Michael Eavis first went on a tour around the campus. Here he admired the fantastic Fashion and amazing Art and Design work that decorates the campus’s vibrant corridors. Visiting various classes along the way, Michael stepped into the Media Department’s TV studio where he became a contestant on a mock live broadcast of Deal or No Deal, hosted by the students. 

The Glastonbury creator then had a look around the College’s state-of-the-art music facilities. Michael sat in on several student performances taking place in the multiple practice spaces and even sat in on a recording session in the College’s professional digital recording studio. 

The College’s Music department sits within the newly formed “Career Excellence Hubs”. These hubs are endorsed by employers and enable students to access outstanding career-boosting opportunities such as performing for Michael Eavis and having guest talks from festival stage managers thanks to industry connections. 

Michael Eavis added: “The sky’s the limit for music performers, it really is. It’s been fantastic here today, I’ve really enjoyed it. Lots of music, incredible fashion and lovely artwork too.” 

After this, Michael visited the newly named suite where lunch was served to a delightful display of music from the Level 3 learners. After a fantastic festive performance from music student Daisy Dennett and her band, the he was presented with a blue glass vase from the Principal to thank Michael for all that he has done and continues to do to raise the aspirations of musicians across the world.

Michael continued: “To have the Music Performance Suite named after me is a great honour for me and a great privilege. Thank-you very much” 

Dr Paul Phillips CBE commented: “Michael is an exemplar to us all. To our Music students and staff in Music Performance and Production, he is their hero, and we are so glad to have Michael here today to thank him for all he has done for the live music sector.