News and events

Last week in London, The Engineer hosted the 2025 Collaborate to Innovate Awards. Now in its ninth year, the C2I Awards were established to spotlight exemplary engineering collaborations that address complex societal challenges and advanced innovation. The C2I Awards evening consists of 9 different categories – and Weston College came on top for the highly regarded STEM Initiative Awards for Increase STEM in Apprenticeships!

In response to the noted shortage of skilled workers in STEM, we have delivered a series of collaborative projects aimed at increasing engagement in STEM amongst young people, with the goal of fostering the next generation of engineers. We sought to address the gap by partnering with a range of organisations, both local and international for maximum impact.

The collaborations for this initiative were designed not only to spark interest in STEM careers but also to provide practical, hands-on experiences that can inspire and inform career choices among young learners – many of whom have never experienced engineering. Our partners included global leaders such as Boeing and First Scandinavia, local leaders like WEAF, and impactful organisations such as the Luke Wheaton Trust – all of which enabled us to create unique, accessible experiences that demystify engineering for young people.

Some examples of projects for the Increase STEM in Apprenticeships initiative included:

The Mobile Newton Room 

One of the flagship projects for Increase STEM in Apprenticeships was the Mobile Newton Room, a collaboration between Weston College, First Scandinavia, and Boeing. This project brought an innovative flight simulator to the UK, marking the only stop in the country for this unique educational experience. The Mobile Newton Room was run by apprentices from Weston College, who guided local school children through the experience, offering many their first exposure to engineering principles. The project’s aim was to demystify engineering and make it accessible to a broader audience, particularly targeting young students who might not otherwise consider a career in this field. The collaboration exemplified how international and local expertise can be harnessed to create impactful educational opportunities.

Engagement Through Events and Initiatives 

In addition to the Mobile Newton Room, Weston College collaborated with the West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF) to host events that bridge the gap between employers and young people. These events serve as a platform for employers to engage directly with potential future employees, demonstrating the diverse career paths available within the STEM sectors. Such initiatives are crucial in providing young people with insights into the industry and the types of roles they could pursue, thereby helping to build a pipeline of future talent.

Sustainable Engineering and the Great Big Green Week 

Weston College also hosted the Great Big Green Week, an initiative focused on sustainability and the role engineering can play in addressing environmental challenges. This week-long event was open to learners at Weston College and UCW, offering a series of activities designed to encourage sustainable thinking. By linking engineering with sustainability, this initiative not only educates but also motivates young people to consider how they can contribute to solving global issues through their future careers.

Collaboration with the Luke Wheaton Trust 

In partnership with the Luke Wheaton Trust, Weston College has hosted several events, supported by employers such as GKN, Rotamec, and the Ministry of Defence (MoD), providing young people with an overview of potential career paths in STEM. The partnership also extends to offering scholarships through the Luke Wheaton Trust, ensuring that financial barriers do not prevent talented students from accessing engineering education and opportunities.

Watch our C2I Awards video to learn more about our Increase STEM in Apprenticeships Initiative!

Tracie Leahy, Assistant Principal – Apprenticeships & Skills, said:

“All of these various initiatives have had a significant impact: both driving engagement from young people and fostering improved links between education and industry. The Newton Room Project has been particularly impactful in sparking interest in STEM among younger students, delivering 19 sessions to 228 learners from local primary and secondary schools and introducing many children to engineering concepts for the first time. Meanwhile, through events organised with the Luke Wheaton Trust, the college has facilitated contact with industry for over 100 new individuals.”

“The college’s efforts have also led to a notable increase in the number of engineering apprenticeships. Indeed, the growing demand has been so substantial that it’s now planning to launch a dedicated engineering campus to accommodate and further support this interest.

“What’s more, the various STEM initiatives have deepened the college’s engagement with employers across a range of industries, who are now actively working with the college to offer a wide range of apprenticeships. This increased collaboration with employers enhances its ability to provide practical, real-world training that is directly aligned with industry needs”

Thank you to all our staff and partners who helped to bring Increase STEM in Apprenticeships to life, and who made an impact on our learners and the future of young engineers!

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.

“Happiness is not complicated. It is simple. It is a choice.” – Shane Dean

On 27th February, Shane Dean delivered an uplifting and insightful talk as part of Weston College’s and University Centre Weston’s new Lecture Series—an initiative introduced by the College’s new Principal and CEO, Pat Jones. 

This series was designed to give staff and students access to inspirational speakers who can offer fresh perspectives, and to create a shared space where they can come together as a community and engage in thought-provoking discussions, and grow collectively.

Shane, an award-winning news journalist and founder of The Good News Post and Good News Tonic, has dedicated his career to spreading positivity and helping people find happiness in a world often dominated by bad news. 

Drawing from over 30 years in journalism and his own personal journey—from facing mental health challenges in his youth to discovering the power of positive thinking—Shane’s mission is clear: to empower people to reframe their mindset and embrace a happier, more fulfilling life.

At the heart of Shane’s lecture was a simple yet powerful idea—happiness is a choice. Through his Good News Tonic framework, he shared three key ingredients for rewiring the brain toward joy and resilience across mind, body and spirit.

In a world flooded with negative headlines and 24/7 news cycles, Shane challenged the audience to “black out the bad” and actively seek out the good. 

Throughout the session, the room buzzed with energy. 

At times, laughter filled the space as Shane shared engaging videos—including a baby’s contagious giggle and TV presenters breaking into fits of laughter. 

He even introduced laughter yoga via UK expert Alison Orr, encouraging attendees to interact with each other and experience the immediate mental boost that comes from shared joy.

More than just entertainment, Shane’s message was deeply practical. 

He demonstrated how small, intentional actions—like limiting bad news, practicing gratitude, and prioritising moments of joy—can reshape how we see the world. 

By consistently choosing positive thoughts, he explained, we can literally rewire our brain’s structure to be happier and more resilient.

The lecture concluded with a moving message from Dawn Carey, CEO of In Charley’s Memory—a local charity providing affordable mental health support for young people. She reinforced Shane’s call to action: to prioritise happiness, focus on the positives, and never underestimate the power of checking in on others.

Shane’s inspiring and interactive talk left a lasting impression, encouraging everyone to take control of their mindset and embrace the simple but profound truth: happiness is a choice—and it’s one we can all make.

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. 

A common misconception about apprenticeships is that they are aimed at school-leavers making their first entrance into the world of work, typically in a technical or engineering role.

Despite the majority of apprentices being 16–18-year-olds, it is increasingly common to see people in their twenties, thirties, forties, fifties, sixties and beyond going down the apprenticeship route in pursuit of a career change, in almost every industry.

Andy Dolman, a firefighter at Avon Fire and Rescue, was previously working for himself doing property maintenance. Despite running a successful business, Andy had always harboured ambitions to join the fire and rescue service and was “trying for years” to land a full-time firefighter position.

Firefighters can sometimes serve up to 20-30 years in the service, and so full-time openings can be scarce. Undeterred, Andy applied to become an on-call firefighter and was successful in landing the part-time role at Avon Fire and Rescue.

Having got a taste of life in fire and rescue on-call, an opportunity arose in April 2022 for Andy to take on our Level 3 Operational Firefighter Apprenticeship, putting him on course to make it his full-time career.

The 2-year apprenticeship combined on the job learning responding to incidents in Bristol with 8 hours of study per week at our Knightstone Campus.

Andy said, “The blend of classroom-based learning and on-the job training was ideal grounding for the rigours of the job. On the job I learnt a lot about dealing with different scenarios and how to use equipment on the fire appliance and got hands on running the station and maintaining all of our equipment,”

"During our basic training, we developed a strong foundation in the statutory responsibilities of a firefighter, ensuring compliance with legal and procedural requirements.”

“We also honed essential interpersonal skills, such as identifying individuals in need of additional support and making appropriate referrals to partner agencies, reinforcing our role in safeguarding, community fire safety and resilience."

“Whilst undoubtedly a fantastic opportunity, life as an apprentice firefighter can be tough. You are put through your paces, and it is a balancing act coping with the physical demands of the role and keeping on top of your studies.”

Despite finishing his apprenticeship year ago, Andy remains eager to develop and learn.

“I really enjoy working for Avon Fire and Rescue Service. There is always lots to do but everyone who works here is helpful and there is always opportunity for development.”

Find out more about our Operational Firefighter Apprenticeship here!

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.