Degree Apprentice Jack Lewis has been crowned the Association of Colleges (AoC) Apprentice of the Year at the annual AoC Conference and Exhibition, an event that celebrates exceptional students from colleges across England.

The national awards recognise individuals who have excelled academically while making significant contributions to their colleges, workplaces, and communities. As always, the competition was fierce, with a high volume of outstanding applications from across the country.

Jack is currently studying at University Centre Weston (UCW), following in the footsteps of UCW alumnus Kam Stevens, who previously won the Higher Education Student of the Year award at the AoC Awards in 2023.

A Level 6 Manufacturing Engineering degree apprentice working at Singer Instruments, Jack distinguished himself through the substantial real-world impact he has had on the organisation.

He introduced advanced 3D-printing technologies that transformed manufacturing processes, reduced environmental impact, and significantly cut production costs. His redesign of microscope components not only removed the need for hazardous chloroform but also reduced the unit cost from £24 to just 17 pence, dramatically improving both safety and efficiency.

Jack, said: "I’m incredibly proud to have been named Apprentice of the Year. It’s an amazing feeling to see the work I’m so passionate about recognised at a national level. I want to say a huge thank-you to the engineering and apprenticeship teams at Weston College and UCW for their support and belief in me throughout my journey. I’m also grateful to everyone at Singer Instruments for giving me the opportunity to learn, innovate, and make a real impact."

Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College, added:

“We are delighted for Jack – his outstanding work truly deserves this recognition. Jack has set a new benchmark for what apprenticeships can achieve. Starting as a BTEC placement student, he returned as Singer Instruments’ first Level 6 engineering apprentice and has since driven transformative innovation.

“Congratulations, Jack. We look forward to seeing your career continue to thrive.”

If you would like to follow in Jack’s footsteps, you can discover our apprenticeships here.

Learners across all Weston College campuses recently took part in a series of impactful workshops delivered by St Giles Trust in partnership with the local authority Violence Reduction Partnership (VRP) as part of the Home Office delivery plan. Focusing on the realities of county lines, knife crime, and youth exploitation, the sessions aimed to equip students with the knowledge, confidence, and practical strategies needed to make safe and informed decisions about their futures.

Weston College work closely with the VRP, who delivered this session both to educate learners and to gather their feedback on what is needed to improve violence reduction in North Somerset. St Giles Trust led the initial talk, which was followed by a workshop by VRP who gave helpful tips and guidance including the ability for people to report concerns about violence and knife crime anonymously on the “Fearless” website.

Drawing from real-life experiences, St Giles opened the talk with an honest dialogue about the dangers young people may face, and the tactics used by organised crime groups. By sharing personal stories and frontline insights, they helped learners understand how individuals can be groomed into criminal activity, often without recognising the warning signs until it is too late.

A key part of the workshop broke down the four stages of the grooming process:

1. Targeting - identifying vulnerable young people or those perceived as easy to influence.
2. Friendship Forming - building trust through attention, gifts, or offers of support.
3. Loving Relationship - creating a sense of loyalty, obligation, or emotional dependence.
4. Abusive Relationship - introducing threats, coercion, and control to force involvement in illegal activity.

Through this structure, learners gained a clear understanding of how gangs manipulate and exploit young people, often blurring the lines between friendship, favour, and criminal expectation.

The sessions also demystified what county lines means, highlighting how drugs are transported and sold across regions, the hierarchy of involvement, and the perspective of those involved in dealing. Emphasis was placed on the harsh realities and long-term consequences of participation, countering the myth that county lines activity offers quick or easy money. St Giles Trust stressed the concept of “short-term gain, long-term pain”, showing how short-lived rewards are far outweighed by the physical, legal, and emotional risks.

Learners were guided through practical strategies for conflict resolution, helping them recognise safer ways to navigate difficult situations without resorting to violence or carrying a weapon. The St Giles team reinforced that there are always alternatives to retaliation, and that seeking support from college staff, trusted adults, or specialist services can be a proactive step towards staying safe.

Each session concluded with practical advice and guidance, empowering students to identify exploitation, protect themselves and their peers, and access help if they are worried about themselves or someone else.

The workshops were well received across the college, contributing to Weston College’s ongoing commitment to safeguarding, awareness, and student wellbeing.

As employers, we’re always thinking about how to future-proof our businesses, from developing existing teams to nurturing the next generation of talent.

Creating a strong talent pipeline can feel overwhelming, with so many pathways available: apprenticeships, internships, T Levels, work placements, and more. But one of the most powerful and accessible starting points is work experience.

Is Work Experience the Same as an Industry Placement?

Not quite. While both work experience and industry placements are valuable tools that benefit learners and employers alike, they serve slightly different purposes.

Work experience provides learners with a short-term opportunity to explore a career area, gain insight into the world of work, and develop essential employability and soft skills, such as: communication, teamwork, and confidence. It helps young people make informed choices about their future, while giving employers a chance to inspire and engage the next generation.

Industry placements, on the other hand, are typically longer-term and form an integral part of a qualification, such as a T Level. They allow learners to apply their classroom learning in a real-world environment, while employers gain support from students who are developing skills directly aligned with their industry. In many cases, these placements act as a bridge between education and employment, helping businesses shape and grow future-ready talent.

Why Work Experience Matters

Work experience gives employers the chance to meet motivated young people who might not yet have the perfect skillset, but who demonstrate the curiosity, drive, and mindset to grow within your organisation.

At Weston College, we see time and again how successful work experience placements evolve into apprenticeships or permanent roles. This not only strengthens retention but also builds a culture of loyalty and development within the business.

The Real Benefits for Employers

Work experience is far more than a goodwill gesture – it’s a strategic opportunity that delivers tangible benefits, including:

• A recruitment pipeline: Access a pool of potential talent who already understand your organisation.
• Staff development: Enable existing employees to develop leadership, mentoring, and communication skills.
• Fresh perspectives: Gain new ideas and insights from young people who bring creativity and curiosity.
• Project support: Benefit from additional help on short-term tasks or initiatives.
• Community impact: Contribute to your corporate social responsibility goals by supporting local young people.

These benefits sound compelling on paper – but the real impact is best seen in action.

At the Weston College Business Awards, we heard first-hand from learners and employers who have transformed each other’s futures through work experience.

From Work Experience to Industry Innovation

It can be easy to look at the impact in the moment, but it also important to look at the longer term picture, and how work experience can be beneficial in unearthing new talent.

One shining example is Jack Lewis, who completed his work experience with Singer Instruments. Jack made such an impression that he was offered the company’s first-ever degree apprenticeship upon completing his studies.

Since then, he’s introduced cutting-edge 3D printing technologies that reshaped the company’s manufacturing processes – reducing costs, improving safety, and minimising environmental impact. Jack’s innovations, including a redesign of microscope components that cut costs from £24 to just 17 pence, demonstrate the powerful long-term impact of giving young people their first opportunity.

Jack was named Somerset Apprentice of the Year and is now shortlisted for the National Apprentice of the Year Award at the Association of Colleges Awards – a testament to what’s possible when employers invest early in emerging talent.

Different Routes to Get Involved

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to work experience. Weston College offers a range of flexible routes to help you find the right fit for your organisation:

The King’s Trust Programmes – Supporting young people not currently in education, employment, or training to gain vital workplace experience.

T Levels – Two-year courses equivalent to three A Levels, combining classroom learning with an industry placement of at least 45 days (315 hours).

Work Experience Placements – Short-term placements (typically one week) across all curriculum areas, allowing learners to put their skills into practice.

Supported Internships – Designed for young adults with SEND, supported by highly qualified professionals to create inclusive workplace experiences that benefit both learners and employers.

Partner with Us to Shape the Future Workforce

We know that understanding the different pathways can feel daunting but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Our team at Weston College is here to help you find the route that best aligns with your business needs, culture, and long-term goals.

Together, we can create meaningful opportunities that empower young people, strengthen our local economy, and ensure your business is ready for the future.

Contact us, to find out how we can support you and your business.