Weston College is marking its 181st birthday with the launch of a new five-year Strategic Plan, setting out how it will support learners, employers and communities across the region between 2026 and 2031.

Founded in 1845, Weston College has spent more than 180 years helping people gain the skills, qualifications and confidence to move forward in education, work and life. As it begins its 181st year, the College's new Strategic Plan builds on that history while setting out its priorities for the next five years. It focuses on delivering outstanding education and skills, reducing inequalities, strengthening communities and ensuring the organisation remains financially sustainable.

The plan is centred on the College's mission of Creating Brighter Futures and has four strategic priorities:

A National Leader in Education - continuing to develop high-quality teaching and learning, alongside skills provision that meets the needs of employers.

The College is off to a great start here with the launch of the Advanced Manufacturing Technical Excellence College (AMTEC), which officially opens for teaching next week. Developed in partnership with leading employers including Airbus, GKN Aerospace and Rolls-Royce, AMTEC is a nationally significant initiative designed to address critical skills shortages in advanced manufacturing, engineering and aerospace.

A Place to Belong - tackling inequality, improving life chances and creating an environment in which every learner has the opportunity to succeed.

This Friday (25th) we officially open The Horizon, Weston College's new dedicated SEND education centre. The Horizon provides specialist support, tailored learning environments and pathways into employment and independent living for learners with additional needs. It represents the College's determination to remove barriers to success and ensure every learner, regardless of background or circumstance, can thrive, belong and achieve their potential.

A Civic Leader and Good Neighbour - using the College's people, partnerships and facilities to make a practical contribution to the communities it serves.

Weston College is starting to put this priority into action by working alongside local partners and fellow anchor institutions to strengthen the regional economy and improve opportunities for local people. Through collaboration with public sector organisations, employers and community groups, the College is helping to address skills challenges, support inclusive growth and create a stronger future for coastal communities across North Somerset and the wider region.

Sustainability, Strength and Stewardship - investing in staff and resources while maintaining financial resilience and planning for the College's long-term future.

A key focus of this priority is investing in the College's people. This week alone, staff are taking part in professional development activities covering pedagogy, leadership and sector-specific continuing professional development. This week the College is also delighted to have been selected by the Association of Colleges (AoC) as the Technical and Vocational Excellence (TVE) Hub for the South West, supporting the development of technical educators across the region.

Pat Jones, Principal and CEO of Weston College, said:

"For 181 years, Weston College has helped people take their next step, whether that's starting their education, developing new skills, finding employment or moving on to something new.

"We're very proud of what the College has achieved over that time, but this strategy is about what we need to do next.

"Over the next five years, we want to keep improving the education and support we provide, work closely with employers on the skills they need, and make sure the College continues to play an active role in the communities around us.

"The plan gives us a clear set of priorities. It is about investing in our people, making the most of our partnerships and resources, and making sure that the decisions we take today put the College in a strong position for the future."

The Strategic Plan has been developed following engagement with staff, learners, governors and partners. Their input has helped shape the priorities and ensure the plan reflects the College's values of compassion, integrity and ambition.

The launch comes as Weston College celebrates 181 years of education and looks ahead to the next chapter of its development.

You can read the Strategy here.

Weston College is set to play a leading role in shaping vocational and technical skills across the South West after being named the area's Technical and Vocational Excellence (TVE) Hub by the Association of Colleges (AoC).

The prestigious appointment puts the college at the centre of a major national programme designed to support teachers, lecturers and education leaders as new technical and vocational qualifications are introduced across England.

As one of only nine TVE Hubs nationwide, Weston College will help drive improvements in technical education across the region, working closely with schools, colleges, training providers, employers and industry partners to ensure learners develop the skills local businesses need now and in the future.

The hubs form a key part of the Technical and Vocational Professional Development (TVPD) Programme, funded by the Department for Education and delivered by the AoC. The programme is being designed by the sector, for the sector and will help educators prepare for the continued expansion of T Levels, the introduction of new vocational pathways and revised Level 2 qualifications, ensuring students benefit from high-quality routes that reflect the latest industry standards and workforce requirements.

Through its new role, Weston College will lead collaboration across the South West, sharing expertise and best practice while helping to strengthen links between education providers and employers. The appointment recognises the College's longstanding commitment to technical and vocational education and its strong track record of working alongside employers to equip learners with the skills needed for successful careers.

Gary Durant, Deputy Principal at Weston College, said:

"We are delighted to have been selected as the South West Technical and Vocational Excellence Hub and to play a leading role in supporting the future of technical education across the region.

This appointment recognises Weston College's strong track record of working with employers, industry partners and education providers to develop the skills that learners need to succeed in their careers and that businesses need to grow.

Through the TVE Hub, we will work collaboratively with colleges, training providers and employers across the South West to share expertise, support professional development and help educators prepare for the introduction of new qualifications and pathways. By bringing together best practice from across the sector, we can help ensure learners benefit from high-quality, industry-relevant education that responds to the changing needs of the economy.

We look forward to supporting providers throughout the region, strengthening partnerships and helping to shape the next generation of technical and vocational education."

David Hughes, Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges, said:

"The Technical and Vocational Hubs will sit at the heart of the Technical and Vocational Professional Development Programme, helping to build capacity from within the sector and supporting providers to deliver high-quality technical education. We are pleased to welcome Weston College as one of our regional hub partners."

The new role is expected to bring together education providers and employers from across the South West, helping to strengthen skills development, support economic growth and ensure the region is well placed to meet future workforce demands.

Over the coming years, Weston College will support the delivery of professional development opportunities for learning leads, educators and sector practitioners, helping providers prepare for evolving technical qualifications and ensuring learners receive industry-relevant education and training.

New Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level learners recently enjoyed an interesting and informative presentation from Kimberly Chikonobaya, an Apprentice Engineer currently working for Galliford Try on the Banwell Bypass Project.

Kimberly, who is a former Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level learner at Weston College, returned to share an insight into her experiences working in the construction industry. Her presentation formed part of the ‘Day in the Life of a…’ series of guest speakers, which gives learners the opportunity to hear directly from professionals working in a range of roles across the construction industry.

As part of the session, Kimberly talked learners through a typical day in her role as an Engineer, providing an insight into the responsibilities involved in working on a major infrastructure project. She also spoke openly about her experiences so far, including being one of the youngest members of the site team and one of only a small number of women working on the project.

Kimberly explained how much she is enjoying her role and highlighted how the practical skills and knowledge she developed during her T Level continue to support her in her day-to-day work. She also discussed the opportunities available within the construction industry and encouraged learners to consider the different career paths they could pursue.

Alongside her work with Galliford Try, Kimberly continues to develop her skills and knowledge, returning to Weston College and UCW one day a week to study her Level 4 HNC in Civil Engineering.

Construction Professions Lecturer, Daniel Comerford, would like to thank Kimberly for taking the time to return to Weston College – particularly on her birthday – to share her experiences and encourage the next generation of construction professionals as they take their first steps into the industry.

This Guest Lecture forms part of the Construction Professions 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.