Last month, our Protective Services students travelled to South Wales to climb Pen y Fan, the highest peak in the region, putting their resilience and fitness to the test alongside their peers.

Activities like this form a key part of the Protective Services courses, designed to challenge students beyond the classroom. By working together in demanding environments, they develop their fitness while building essential transferable skills such as determination, resilience, communication, and leadership - qualities that are crucial for success within the Protective Services sector.

The Level 2 Protective Services cohort was the first group to successfully reach the summit. Their accomplishment set a strong benchmark, with all students showing impressive effort, teamwork, and perseverance throughout the climb.

Experiences like this not only enhance physical endurance and resilience but also support mental wellbeing. Overcoming the challenges of the climb, combined with the benefits of exercise and exposure to the outdoors, helps students build the mental strength required for future career demands.

Careers in the Protective Services require a unique set of attributes, and we are committed to providing our students with as many hands-on opportunities and real-world challenges as possible to develop these essential skills.

David Usher, Protective Services lecturer at Weston College, said: “We organise activities like this to give our students the opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in practical settings, such as expeditions and competitions, and to see how far they can push themselves. It was fantastic to see them working together and rising to the challenge.”

Well done to all the students who took part and worked hard to complete this challenge!

Today Weston College has been named as one of the country’s new Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs), securing a pivotal role in delivering high-quality training for the next generation of workers in advanced manufacturing, which is one of Britain’s fastest growing and most critical sectors.

Pat Jones, Principal and CEO at Weston College Group, said: “We are incredibly proud to have been recognised as a Technical Excellence College for Advanced Manufacturing. It reflects the quality and scale of our provision, the strength of our employer partnerships, and our commitment to delivering the higher technical skills which industry needs.

“We created an original partnership group with stakeholders, committed to delivering future skills and economic growth, collectively providing valuable input and support to this work. I would like to personally thank our partners, Airbus, Rolls‑Royce, GKN Aerospace, NCC, West of England Combined Authority and Business West. It is through your continued partnership that we can develop training that is truly industry‑led, with cutting-edge facilities and prepare our learners for high‑value careers in advanced manufacturing.”

This recognition also builds on Weston College’s ambitious plans for expansion, including the £2.6 million Aerospace Skills Academy on Airbus’s Filton site, opening this September. This facility will significantly increase the College’s training capacity and give learners access to advanced manufacturing environments, that directly support the needs of leading aerospace and advanced manufacturing employers.

The 19 new Technical Excellence Colleges across the UK, backed by £175 million of government investment, will provide around 65,000 learners with access to training for high-demand roles across advanced manufacturing, clean energy, defence, and digital technologies. This comes at a crucial time, with an estimated 600,000 additional workers needed in these sectors by 2030.

For Weston College and the wider West of England region, this recognition represents a significant step forward in aligning education with industry demand and supporting economic growth while creating clear, high-quality pathways into skilled employment.

Helen Godwin, Mayor of the West of England, said:

“People across the West will, like me, be delighted that Weston College will become a Technical Excellence College for advanced manufacturing. The case was strong: over the last decade, our regional economy has created over 100,000 new jobs - including the most job growth in key industries of any region. This shows that when we work together, the West Country is being heard by government.

“Advanced manufacturing is part of the West's history, as the region that gave flight to Concorde; part of our present, with the sector employing over 18,000 people locally and generating billions of pounds for the national economy; and part of our future, through the investment that will come with hosting one of just four Technical Excellence Colleges of its kind. Further innovation will ensure that the sector stays competitive for years to come.

“The £2.6 million Aerospace Skills Academy set to open in Filton this September will be a key part of Weston College Group's expanded offer, adding to the industry-leading innovation being pioneered at places like Airbus, BAE, GKN, NCC, and Rolls-Royce. It will mean that 40% more people get the opportunity to develop their skills in world-class facilities, equipped for some of the new jobs being created here in the country's fastest growing regional economy.”

Strategically located to meet regional demand, Weston College’s TEC status will help drive productivity, innovation and opportunity across the South West. It also supports the government’s ambition for two-thirds of young people to be engaged in higher-level learning by the age of 25, while reinforcing the importance of high-quality technical education as an equal and valuable route alongside university.

This latest announcement builds on the first wave of Technical Excellence Colleges launched in August 2025, which saw £100 million invested in improving facilities, teaching and employer collaboration nationwide. Together, these investments signal a long-term commitment to developing the skilled workforce Britain needs to compete globally.

As a Technical Excellence College, Weston College will continue to lead the way in delivering industry-aligned education, empowering learners, supporting employers, and strengthening the future of advanced manufacturing both regionally and nationally.

Last month, our Protective Services students continued their Ten Tors training, walking several miles in difficult terrains and rough camping to prepare them for the Ten Tors Challenge next month where they will push their limits against other students in this competition. 

The Ten Tors Challenge gives thousands of students the opportunity to navigate a course of 35, 45, or 55 miles in teams across Dartmoor over two days. Teams are required to be completely self-sufficient, carrying all their equipment and supplies necessary to safely complete their route and camp overnight. Along the way, they must reach ten nominated tors or checkpoints, testing not only their physical endurance but also their navigation and survival skills. 

On the first day of their training, the students completed an impressive 20-mile route before they settled down for the night and set up their overnight wild camp. This prepared them both physically and mentally for the next stage of their training and gave them an idea of the expectations and challenges that they will face during the official Ten Tors Challenge. 

On the second day of training, the session was cut shorter than planned due to an injury, however, the students quickly worked together and showed strong leadership and initiative, supporting their peers and prioritising safety and wellbeing.  

This experience highlighted the core attributes developed within our Protective Services course. Improving their teamwork skills, composure under pressure, and the ability to lead effectively in challenging and unpredictable environments. Students demonstrated exceptional resilience, unwavering dedication, and strong communication, key qualities essential for a career in the protective services. The efforts from the students were a promising reflection of their commitment and potential for their future careers. 

David Usher, Protective Services lecturer at Weston College, said, “It was fantastic to not only see how far our students have come physically by pushing them to their limits, but also seeing how much they’ve grown mentally, particularly in the face of adversities. The students worked together and overcame challenges, reflecting their adaptability and resilience, and seeing the support they have for their team is the most important skill our students can take away from the UPS course and apply to any future career.” 

A huge well done to all the students who got involved and good luck for the official Ten Tors Challenge in May! 

This curriculum trip forms part of the Protective Services 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.