Learners currently taking part in The King’s Trust Team programme recently had the fantastic opportunity to visit the Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Simulation Centre, where they took part in an inspiring, hands-on learning experience.

The visit gave learners the chance to explore the wide range of career opportunities available across the NHS, discovering the many clinical and non-clinical roles that play an important part in delivering high-quality patient care. From working directly with patients to supporting the wider operations of the NHS, learners gained a better understanding of the different ways they could build a career within the healthcare sector.

As well as finding out more about the variety of roles available, learners also explored the different routes and pathways into NHS careers, helping them understand the qualifications, training and experience needed to pursue these opportunities.

A highlight of the visit was the opportunity to put their learning into practice by carrying out initial patient assessments using high-fidelity simulation manikins. This gave learners a valuable insight into the practical skills and knowledge required in a clinical environment, allowing them to experience an aspect of working in healthcare first-hand.

Experiences like this are an important part of The King’s Trust Team programme, helping learners discover new interests, build confidence and explore potential career pathways through engaging, real-world opportunities.

A huge thank you to the team at Bristol NHS Foundation Trust Simulation Centre for welcoming our learners, sharing their knowledge and expertise, and helping to inspire the next generation of NHS professionals!

Weston College is delighted to announce that its Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College (AMTEC) has been shortlisted for two categories, at The Engineer’s 2026 Collaborate to Innovate (C2I) Awards, in: Manufacturing Technology and STEM Initiative.

The shortlisting recognises AMTEC’s contribution to developing the next generation of engineering talent, strengthening links between education and industry, and addressing the advanced manufacturing sector’s growing demand for specialist technical skills.

AMTEC has been established to deliver high-quality technical education in direct response to employer needs, providing learners with access to specialist facilities, industry-standard equipment and clear pathways into high-value careers.

Located in the heart of one of the UK's most significant aerospace and advanced manufacturing hubs, AMTEC will deliver specialist training aligned to employer needs, working closely with industry partners including Airbus, Rolls-Royce, GKN Aerospace and Babcock to ensure apprentices develop the skills required by modern industry.

Through close collaboration with employers and education partners, AMTEC aims to ensure that training reflects the technologies and capabilities needed by industry. Its ambitions also extend to widening participation in engineering, supporting learners from diverse backgrounds and creating opportunities for more people to access rewarding careers in the sector.

Weston College’s designation as one of only four Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence Colleges in England further highlights the national significance of the project and its potential to influence technical education beyond the South West.

Tracie Leahy, Programme Director – TEC National Hub and Partnerships, at Weston College, said: “We are incredibly proud that AMTEC has been shortlisted for these prestigious awards. This recognition reflects the ambition behind the project and the collaborative effort of our colleagues, employer partners and education providers.

“AMTEC is about more than providing specialist facilities. It is about bringing education and industry closer together, ensuring learners develop the skills employers need, and opening up opportunities for more people to build successful careers in advanced manufacturing.

“With nearly 800 learners enrolled at launch, we are excited about the difference AMTEC can make to the future workforce and the wider engineering sector. We look forward to celebrating alongside the other finalists.”

The Collaborate to Innovate Awards celebrate outstanding engineering collaborations that bring together expertise to tackle challenges, advance innovation and deliver meaningful impact.

If you would like to find out about AMTEC, then please click here.

If you’re an employer looking to partner with the college, then please click here.

To mark Black History Month, we were pleased to welcome staff, learners and special guests to The Lauriston Hotel to discuss the importance of community, identity and belonging.

The event, organised by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Manager, Jason Selormey, explored this year’s theme, Honouring Our Communities: Past, Present and Future.

A panel discussion brought together three speakers to share their experiences and reflect on the challenges of finding a sense of belonging.

On the panel, we welcomed back former Weston College learner Tobi Orolu, who is now studying for a marketing degree at university; Louise Hill-Davis, a former Weston College health lecturer and an inclusion and neurodivergence advocate and speaker; and prominent UK civil rights activist Mor Dioum.

Also attending the event and supporting staff and learner discussions was Ian Noah, Community Leader and Chair of Race Equality North Somerset.

The discussion explored experiences of racism, the importance of feeling accepted within a community, and how people’s backgrounds and experiences can shape their sense of identity.

Throughout the event, attendees were invited to share their own insights, including who has helped them feel a sense of belonging, which communities have shaped their lives, and how Weston College can continue to strengthen inclusion.

The session finished with a Community Tree activity, where participants reflected on the people and communities they wished to honour and made personal commitments to promoting inclusion and understanding.

Thank you to our panellists and attendees for sharing their experiences and contributing to these powerful discussions.