Claire Hazelgrove MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke was welcomed to GKN Aerospace’s Global Technology Centre in Bristol to showcase how industry and education are working together to deliver high-quality technical skills and support regional economic growth. 

The visit, facilitated by the West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT) and initiated through the Gatsby Foundation, brought Claire Hazelgrove MP together with education and industry leaders from across the WEIoT partnership, including GKN Aerospace, the Weston College Group and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). GKN Aerospace apprentices also took part, sharing first-hand insights into technical education and their progression into high-skilled aerospace careers. 

During the visit, the MP toured the Global Technology Centre (GTC), beginning in the Training and Education Centre, where Claire met apprentices, explored the learning environment and viewed specialist facilities. The tour continued into the workshop, home to Weston College’s on-site learning space for apprentices, demonstrating how technical education is delivered alongside cutting-edge aerospace innovation. 

The visit reinforced Claire Hazelgrove MP’s commitment to supporting young people, strengthening links between education and local employers, and ensuring the region’s aerospace and engineering sectors have the skilled workforce they need to thrive. 

Claire Hazelgrove, MP for the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency, said:  

“I’m grateful to GKN Aerospace for hosting me together with key representatives from, Weston College, UWE Bristol and the Gatsby Foundation on site in Filton on Friday to hear more about their collaboration - between industry, education and research - at the West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT). 

“This collaboration is both driving innovation and creating opportunities right here in our community, including for apprentices like Reece, Maddie and Lysander, who we heard from about their invaluable experience here.” 

“Our Labour Government is backing further education and gold standard apprenticeships alongside university education - rather than pushing it instead of these other valuable routes - and funding the costs of training apprentices for SMEs.” 

Speaking following the visit, Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group and education provider lead for the WEIoT, said:  

“This visit highlights the power of partnership between education and industry. Together, we are creating clear, high-quality technical pathways that allow learners to progress into skilled, well-paid careers without leaving the region. Building on our strong partnerships with GKN Aerospace, Airbus and Rolls-Royce, Weston College is developing a new Aerospace Skills Academy in Filton. This investment reflects our shared commitment to meeting the future skills needs of the aerospace sector, supporting employers, and ensuring local people can access outstanding technical education that leads directly to opportunity."

Earlier this month, our Performing Arts students took part in a workshop with professional dance company, Ekleido. This was a great opportunity for our students to develop their skills and learn from professionals with their guidance and expertise.  

Ekleido is a choreographic duo formed by Hannah Ekholm and Faye Stoeser. Both have an extensive professional background in contemporary dance, street dance, and the commercial industry. Not only do they host workshops for aspiring dancers, but they largely choreograph for live performances and film. The dances they create are meaningful collaborations that are both innovative and modern, focusing on the music and meaning behind each move. 

Our Performing Arts course gives students a broad overview of the key components of performing, such as singing, dancing, musical theatre, and acting, providing them with a wide range of skills and knowledge to thrive in such a competitive industry. It is also important to learn from a range of industry professionals to broaden their creative identity and learn alongside contemporary performers. 

Hannah and Faye worked hard with our students across two-days, choreographing a dance for them to perform at the Super Culture show on February 19th at the Electric Banana, Weston-super-Mare. In order to maintain the choreography until the performance, two of our Year 2 students, Abi and Emma, have been given leadership roles as Company Manager and Dance Captain to run rehearsals, clean the dance routines and build their skills in these important areas to further prepare them for industry. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to build their confidence, adaptability, and communication skills, ensuring they are equipped with as many skills and opportunities as possible. 

Working with external organisations like this gives our students an excellent opportunity to not only learn alongside them, but also receive invaluable feedback, network with professionals, and gain a fresh perspective of new techniques that they may not have been previously exposed to. This broadens students career pathways and gives them a better sense of the careers available to them. It also provides students with exciting collaboration and enrichment opportunities that they can add to their portfolio to reflect the broad experiences they received throughout their course. 

Joe Miller, Lecturer in Performing Arts, said: “We’re so grateful to Hannah and Faye for delivering such a well-choreographed and hands-on session, sharing their extensive knowledge and expertise and giving all students the fantastic opportunity to perform for a new audience. It is invaluable sessions like this that give our students first-hand exposure to industry-level techniques, creative processes, and professional expectations, allowing them to push themselves beyond the classroom and achieve an even higher technical standard.” 

Thank you to Hannah and Faye for taking the time to engage with our students and share their invaluable insight! 

Book your tickets to see our Performing Arts students and Hannah and Faye at the Super Culture production on February 19th here.

This workshop forms part of the Performing Arts Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.  

Progress to the next level in Performance and Production Arts and Music! At University Centre Weston (UCW) our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. Click here! 

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 here. 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.

Last week, our Travel and Tourism students welcomed global aviation services provider, Swissport, for an engaging and informative session which explored career pathways within the aviation industry. 

The visit gave students valuable insight into the wide range of responsibilities involved in airport operations and highlighted the many career opportunities available within aviation following their course. Swissport representative, Joe Watkins, shared his own career journey, offering students a realistic and inspiring perspective on professional development within the sector. 

Swissport provides essential ground handling and airport services for airlines worldwide, managing everything from passenger check-in, gate support and baggage handling to aircraft ramp services, fuelling, cabin cleaning, de-icing and cargo warehouse operations. They play a crucial role in supporting efficient airline operations and delivering a high-quality passenger experience from landing to take-off. 

With many of our students considering Bristol Airport as a future place of work, Swissport presented itself as an excellent route into aviation. With a strong presence at Bristol Airport and operations across major airports around the world, Swissport offers both local and global career opportunities. 

During the session, Swissport covered a wide range of topics, including pathways into aviation, introductions to their teams and services, and the variety of roles available at Bristol Airport. Joe also outlined the application process and shared real-life success stories from within the company. 

For students interested in progressing within their role, Joe outlined the learning and development opportunities, clear progression routes and long-term career growth. Students were shown how employees can progress from entry-level roles through to professional positions, supervision and management. 

The session concluded with an overview of what Swissport looks for in candidates, highlighting the importance of both personal qualities and professional skills. This was a great opportunity for students to understand the desired attributes that companies look for during an application process, giving them insight of what to expect and how to best approach an interview. 

This visit provided an excellent opportunity for students to gain first-hand insight into the aviation industry, broaden their career horizons and better understand the pathways available to them within a global organisation such as Swissport. 

Thank you to Joe and the team at Swissport for sharing their invaluable insight and experiences with our students. 

This guest lecture forms part of the Travel and Tourism Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.  

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 here. 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.