Weston College is delighted to announce its involvement in an upcoming project, On Air, on 22-23rd October in partnership with Media Talent Manifesto (MTM). On Air 2026 is the world’s largest student-led broadcast, bringing together students and industry partners from across the globe for a 24-hour, multi-channel, student-led broadcast. 

This fantastic project will enable our Media and Communications students to explore a wide range of career opportunities, taking the lead in many roles such as script and content development, gallery and TV studio operations, location filming, channel creation, distribution, post-production and editing, and social media. This hands-on experience allows our students to develop practical production skills across the full broadcasting supply chain, helping them explore potential career pathways within the industry. 

Launched in 2025, On Air involved more than 1,000 students from six continents, delivering content across a single channel. In 2026, the project will expand significantly, introducing five dedicated channels such as Culture, Film, Sport, News and Kids. Educational providers are invited to contribute to one or more channels through either live or pre-recorded broadcasts. 

Like last year, On Air will be supported by a diverse range of industry partners, including the BBC, Into Film and Amazon Web Services (AWS), alongside global media companies such as CNN, SVG Europe, InSync and Techex. Working with these organisations gives our Media students valuable insight into the breadth of roles within the media industry, as well as providing excellent networking opportunities with professionals operating in a fast-paced, global environment. 

This project not only enables our Media students to take part in a growing international broadcast, but also connects learners worldwide, encourages collaboration, and supports skills development beyond the classroom. For students who are unsure of their next steps, On Air offers an invaluable opportunity to broaden their skillset, gain confidence, and showcase their abilities to industry professionals.  

Gina Hele, Head of Media, Game & Animation, and Photography at Weston College, said, “This fantastic opportunity provided by Media Talent Manifesto will open many doors for our students. We are excited to see how they shape this project and apply their classroom learning in a real-world context. The experience will not only further develop their skills, but also build their confidence, while giving them valuable access to feedback and guidance from industry professionals - an invaluable contribution to both their personal and professional development.” 

We would like to extend a huge thank you to Media Talent Manifesto for providing our Media students with this outstanding opportunity to collaborate with colleges, universities and educators from around the world. 

This project forms part of the Media and Communication 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 Film and Media! 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. 

Weston College has formally pledged its commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, a national initiative designed to support young people as they transition from care into education, employment, and independent living.

The Covenant focuses on five key outcomes for care-experienced young people:

• Improved access to education, training, and employment opportunities
• Greater stability, helping care leavers feel safe and secure
• Enhanced access to physical, mental, and emotional health support
• Support to achieve financial stability
• Better preparation for independent living.

By signing the Covenant, Weston College strengthens its commitment to social justice and inclusion, ensuring care leavers receive tailored support throughout their educational journey and beyond.

Chloe Wilde, Director of Social Justice and Student Support at Weston College, said:

“We are delighted to formally share our commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant. At Weston College, we are passionate about supporting all learners, regardless of their background, and this commitment reinforces our dedication to providing meaningful opportunities and wraparound support for those transitioning from care.

“For many young people, the move into adulthood is an exciting time filled with possibility. However, for care leavers, this transition can bring significant challenges and uncertainty. Through our work with the Care Leaver Covenant, we want to ensure that care-experienced learners feel supported, valued, and empowered to build stable, successful futures.”

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. 

Leadership isn’t really about job titles. It’s about making good decisions under pressure, bringing people with you, and turning plans into day-to-day action. In a fast-moving labour market, those skills don’t develop by accident. They need time, practice and real responsibility. That idea underpins how Weston College approaches leadership and management training.

Too often, management training is treated as a one-off course or a perk that comes with promotion. In reality, people grow into leadership over time. Weston College’s apprenticeships are built to reflect that, supporting managers as they learn on the job, with real teams and real challenges.

For new managers and supervisors, Level 3 programmes cover the essentials: leading teams, managing performance, communicating clearly and making sound decisions. These programmes are widely used in sectors such as hospitality, retail, health and social care, and small to medium-sized businesses, where managers are often promoted from within.

Level 5 programmes are aimed at more experienced leaders, including operational and departmental managers with responsibility for people, projects and budgets. Here, the focus shifts to strategic thinking, managing change and delivering results through others.

The structure matters as much as the content. Leadership apprenticeships usually run for 12 to 24 months and combine day-to-day work with protected learning time. This means new skills are applied straight away, rather than being learned in isolation and forgotten.

Although based in the South West, Weston College works with employers across the UK. The leadership challenges faced by organisations are often similar, whether they’re in Somerset, the Midlands or elsewhere. Delivery is therefore flexible, with face-to-face, blended and remote options, and the ability to tailor programmes where employers want specific skills built in.

A wide range of organisations work with Weston College, including the NHS, Wessex Water, Thatchers, Muller, ICTS, Rhoper Rhodes and Bristol Port. What they have in common is an understanding that strong leadership has a direct impact on performance, retention and workplace culture.  

Why Apprenticeships Make Business Sense

For employers, leadership apprenticeships offer both short and long-term benefits.

In the short term, they provide a practical way to address skills gaps. Apprentices are employees from day one, developing leadership capability while contributing to the organisation. With government funding and free recruitment support available, the financial barrier is much lower than many expect.

Over time, the benefits go further. Apprenticeships help organisations develop leaders who already understand their systems, values and people. This supports succession planning, improves retention and reduces the need for external recruitment. Weston College sees consistently high completion rates and strong progression into permanent roles, demonstrating clear value for employers.

For learners, leadership apprenticeships offer something traditional training routes often can’t: momentum. Apprentices earn a salary while gaining recognised qualifications, hands-on leadership experience and ongoing support.

Many learners move through multiple levels, progressing from team leadership into senior operational roles or degree-level study. Along the way, they build confidence, professional credibility and skills that are valued across the labour market.

Clear Guidance on Funding and Support

Apprenticeship funding can feel complex, particularly for small and medium-sized employers. While levy-paying organisations use their apprenticeship accounts, recent changes have made funding more accessible for SMEs, especially those developing new or younger managers.

Because the rules change regularly, clarity matters. Weston College’s apprenticeship team works closely with employers to explain funding options, levy transfers and any available incentives, helping organisations make informed decisions with confidence.

Just as importantly, Weston College works as a partner rather than simply a training provider. Employers are supported with recruitment, programme design, regular reviews and end-point assessment planning. Apprenticeships are built into workforce planning, not treated as an add-on.

As organisations face growing pressure to deliver more with fewer resources, leadership quality becomes even more important. Developing managers from within is no longer a “nice to have” - it’s essential.

By combining real work, structured learning and close employer support, leadership and management apprenticeships at Weston College offer a practical way to build the leaders organisations need, now and in the years ahead.