<p>If you’ve visited our South West Skills Campus over the last few months, you may have seen the display engine, which now proudly sits in our reception, and wondered why it is there?</p>

<p>Well, it is all down to the hard work of our apprentices at GKN.&nbsp;</p>

<p><a href="https://www.gknaerospace.com/">GKN Aerospace</a> is one of the world’s leading aircraft and aero-engine manufacturers. With each campus committed to reaching Net Zero by 2030, Weston College partners with high standard organisations that help to create brighter and greener futures. Read more about GKN's initiatives surrounding sustainability and their environmental protection practices <a href="https://www.gknaerospace.com/en/sustainability/">here</a><img alt="GKN Engine, Engineering Learners, South West Skills Campus" data-align="right" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="7d13db4e-ec9a-4059-bc7c-30c3bb884daf" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/MicrosoftTeams-image%20%2810%29.jpeg" /></p>

<p>Earlier this year, five of our Year 2 Aerospace Engineering Degree apprentices, Taylor, Jansen, Ethan, Harry and Chloe, decided to organise, manage and install the engine, as part of their Project Management module (work-based learning).</p>

<p>This is one of four modules they need to complete, on the second year of their degree apprenticeship. The module helps learners to develop new skills, as well as strengthening ones that they learnt in their first year.</p>

<p>The engine itself was donated by GKN, who we work very closely with to create exciting opportunities for our learners.</p>

<p>The learners showcased their communication and collaboration, as well as demonstrating their application of the knowledge, skills and behaviours in order to get this project running – one which was completed to industry standard!</p>

<p>Every day I walk past the engine with immense pride, not just at the achievements of these learners, but also of the power of partnerships. I think about the skills and knowledge that these incredible young people possess, thanks to their hard work and dedication, as well as the opportunities presented to them, through the college.</p>

<p>We’re excited to be launching T Levels in Engineering next September too, which will give us further opportunity to work closely with employers and watch learners develop into skilled professionals. The T Level will support learners who are taking their first steps in engineering, and will prepare them both academically and practically through their 45-day placements, in industry.</p>

<p>If you’re an employer reading this, then I highly recommend getting in touch with the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/work-experience?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_m… placement team</a> at Weston College. Not only will this give you an opportunity to meet the learner and find out whether or not they will be a fit for your organisation, but they also possess skills which can fill skills gaps and support your business.</p>

<p><em>Andreas Papadopoulos, HE Curriculum Co-ordinator Engineering</em></p>

<p>As lead partner of the West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT) Weston College has created a WEIoT base in north Bristol’s aerospace and advanced engineering heartland through partnership working with GKN Aerospace.</p>

<p>The College will be opening its own Bristol WEIoT facility for delivery of Higher Education Engineering, within GKN Aerospace’s new flagship Global Technology Centre (GTC), located within the aerospace cluster that includes Rolls Royce, GKN Aerospace and Airbus north Bristol Filton sites.</p>

<p>Working in partnership with GKN Aerospace, the College will start teaching from the world-class Global Technology Centre from September 2021 providing an exciting and inspirational learning environment. Students will be immersed in the cutting-edge research facility and benefit from seeing modern engineering methods in operation in the same building.</p>

<p>The new teaching facility for Weston College will include a modular building that houses the majority of the teaching, together with use of additional training facilities, an auditorium and an Innovation Workshop.</p>

<p>Initially the provision will focus on second year Higher Education Engineering students, but Weston College aims to expand its provision responding to the opportunities that will emerge as a result of the College having this new Bristol location.</p>

<p>Principal and Chief Executive of the Weston College Group, Dr Paul Phillips CBE commented: “Our strategic partnership with GKN Aerospace at the GTC provides an exceptional industry-led environment where cutting-edge technologies and manufacturing techniques are being trialled and tested for industry application, which will provide a unique environment for our staff and learners, enabling the College to embed learners and staff in the latest digital and technological industry developments in the advanced engineering and manufacturing sectors.”</p>

<p>Dr Paul Phillips CBE continues: “Weston College’s location within the GTC means that we will be delivering learning programmes alongside world class industrial research and innovation partners also based in the GTC for the aerospace advanced manufacturing and engineering sector, cementing Weston College’s position as a leader and innovator in technical education and skills.”</p>

<p>Find out more about the WEIoT, <a href="https://www.weiot.ac.uk/">here</a>.</p&gt;

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