<p>The West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT) has announced plans to expand its course offering to learners and employers across the region, through the opening of the Bristol Training Institute in central Bristol from September.</p>

<p>The WEIoT, a Weston College-led collaboration of regional education providers and employers, has a commitment to driving an increase in higher level technical skills in the region through high-quality training provision, working closely with industry to meet the evolving skills needs of employers.</p>

<p>With Bristol being one of the largest hubs for digital and professional services industries outside of London, the new centre, named as the Bristol Training Institute, will offer courses tailored to the specific needs of employers in the city region. The Bristol Training Institute will be based in the heart of the city at 12, Colston Avenue, the former office of the Bristol Law Society.</p>

<p>Courses available from September will include a brand new Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQ) in Computing (Software Engineering), Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship BSc (Hons), Computing Access to HE programme for those wishing to study at university, but currently do not have the qualifications to do so, and innovative Digital Skills Bootcamps for Coding (Python), Data (Azure) skills. In addition, recognising the need to upskill managers to drive digital change in organisations as they evolve, the centre will offer ILM Team Leading qualifications.</p>

<p>Accessibility is a focus of the WEIoT, which brings education providers together to deliver the skills required by employers. The development of the Bristol Training Institute, offering training based in central Bristol, will enable both learners and employers from across the city to access the unique industry-specific training, which will complement existing training provision in the city.</p>

<p>This new central Bristol location will witness a refurbishment to develop a state-of-the-art digital training hub across two floors, with three training rooms including a boardroom, and two conference training rooms all including smartboard facilities and laptop stations. The Institute will have a secure data connection, utilising high-quality digital technology resources to enable access to learning.</p>

<p>Sir Paul Phillips, Principal and CEO of the Weston College Group, who are also the lead College for the West of England Institute of Technology commented:</p>

<p>“The Bristol Training Institute marks another exciting development for the West of England Institute of Technology which is supporting a drive to increase the number of people engaged in higher level technical skills training, supporting learners in the region to secure and progress in high-quality jobs. Bristol has a strong demand for digital skills training, and we have worked with employers, key stakeholders and communities in the region to truly understand how the IoT can offer a training solution that complements existing provision in the city.</p>

<p>“The courses offered are based on what the economy and local communities need and our mission is that our students on completion of their programmes will have the best possible career prospects, whilst employers can benefit from a new talent pool, plus use the Institute as a way to develop and upskill their existing workforce.</p>

<p>“The Bristol Training Institute will be a destination to study in the heart of the city, and we wanted to ensure our logo emulated this, so we took a brand mark of the River Avon, alongside key Bristol landmarks and gave it a contemporary and professional look.”</p>

<p><img alt="Bristol Training Institute logo explained" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="52144df1-318a-4754-bf81-ee7fddfd4e85" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/BTI%20Logo%20Explainer.png" /></p>

<p>To find out more about what’s on offer please visit: <a href="http://www.bristol-training.co.uk">www.bristol-training.co.uk</a></p&gt;

<p>Today members of local council, ESFA, ETF, schools and nurseries, all joined Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College and the Mayor of Weston-super-Mare, Councillor James Clayton, who together, officially opened the new Education and Early Years facilities at Weston College.</p>

<p>This new hub will meet the growing demand from employers both locally and regionally to train staff of the future, preparing them ready to join a growing industry.</p>

<p>The Education and Early Years facilities have been developed in conjunction with the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/career-excellence-hubs">Career Excellence Hub</a> employers: Busy Buddies, Little Bears, DaisyChain, Mendip Green, YMCA and Storal Learning, who ensure not only that the course content includes insights of industry leaders, but also that the new facilities will be industry standard to give them real-life experience.</p>

<p>The grand opening included a tour of the brand new £600k Education and Early Years hub that includes:</p>

<ul>
<li>Community Room – to allow us to host stay and play and other community sessions.</li>
<li>Child and Healthcare Room – a multi-functional space for food prep and mid-session naps.</li>
<li>Primary School Room – an engaging environment full of multi-curricular activities.</li>
<li>Creative and Exploratory Atelier – a non-traditional learning environment to host messy-play, science activities and more.</li>
<li>Observation room – includes one-way mirrors so learners do not influence a child’s play.</li>
</ul>

<p>Sandra Bull, Dean of the Faculty said: “The new hub is really impressive, I’m so pleased it’s come to fruition. It’s really important for us that all learners get real-life experience to ensure they are equipped with the skills and knowledge they need to get ahead in the modern jobs market.”</p>

<p>These new facilities are matched with an exciting portfolio of study programmes. For school leavers there will be full-time college-based courses, apprenticeships plus the new flagship T Level – the gold-standard in qualifications where learners can follow a college-based programme and gain sector experience through an industry placement. Plus, a range of options for adults for those who would like to upskill or re-train as an early years practitioner or teaching assistant.</p>

<p>Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive, Weston College added: “It was a privilege to officially open the new facilities today. This is just one element of a College-wide initiative to ensure we are making aspirational careers a reality for all our learners regardless of their starting point in life.”</p>

<p>The build is co-funded by T Level Capital funding, awarded by the Department for Education.</p>

<p>Find out more</p>

<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/educa… for school leavers starting in September</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/course-finder?… for adults starting in January</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news-and-events/events">Next open event</a></li>
</ul>

<p>Weston College has been named as the Bristol and Bath Apprenticeship Provider of the Year for the third year in a row.</p>

<p>The awards were virtual this year, and were hosted by BBC personality, Ali Vowles. There were winners from across the region, as the hard work of apprentices, employers and training providers were recognised.</p>

<p>Weston College learners picked up prestigious awards too, with Harvey Castree (Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Engineering, Manufacturing, Energy &amp; Electrical) and Danny Gould-Dyer (Outstanding Apprentice of the Year (Health, Wellbeing, Care &amp; Education) winning their categories.</p>

<p>The highlight of the evening was the Bristol &amp; Bath Apprentice of the Year award which went to Harvey, for his fantastic work with his employer, GKN Aerospace.</p>

<p>This is further success for the Weston College Apprenticeship Team, with Leadership and Management apprentice, Dan Green, recently winning the Gloucestershire Apprentice of the Year.</p>

<p>The College delivers a range of apprenticeships from Level 2 to degree-level and works with many high-profile employers in the Bristol and Bath area, including the Ministry of Defence and GKN Aerospace and Royal United Hospitals Bath.</p>

<p>Dr Paul Phillips CBE, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said: “I am delighted that we have managed to win this award for the third year in a row, it really does showcase the amazing work that goes on in this College on a daily basis.</p>

<p>“Our team are once again bucking the national trend, creating new opportunities for our learners. Our apprentices are also having huge impacts on their businesses, and it is fantastic to see.</p>

<p>“I’m also delighted for our learners, as we had six apprentices make the finals, with both Harvey and Danny coming out victorious. Our learners show such a fantastic attitude to their studies and I am thrilled to see them performing so well in such a difficult period.”</p>

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