University Centre Weston, part of the Weston College Group, was proud to support a recent visit from senior representatives from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to the Group’s new Aerospace Skills Academy at Airbus, Filton.
Visitors included Chris Barton CMG, Director for Local and International Growth at the Department for Business and Trade; Matt Cross, Deputy Director for Regions and Markets; Stefano Pucello, Regional Manager for Gloucestershire and Wiltshire; and Antony Marritt, Head of Enterprise, Inward Investment and Innovation at WECA.
The delegation toured the new facility alongside Holly Stokes, Head of Early Careers at Airbus Filton, and senior leaders from Weston College Group, exploring how collaboration between education and industry is helping to develop the next generation of talent for the aerospace sector.
As part of the visit, discussions also focused on the growing importance of higher education in supporting regional skills development, with University Centre Weston playing a key role in creating progression routes for students into advanced manufacturing, engineering and aerospace careers.
The visit provided an opportunity to discuss how further and higher education providers, employers and regional stakeholders can continue to work together to strengthen skills infrastructure, support inward investment and create clear pathways into high-value employment across the South West.
During the visit, Weston College Group also shared the recent announcement that it has been named one of only four colleges nationally to be recognised as a Technical Excellence College for Advanced Manufacturing.
Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said:
“It was a pleasure to welcome colleagues from the Department for Business and Trade and WECA to our Aerospace Skills Academy and to demonstrate the impact that strong partnerships with employers such as Airbus can have on developing the workforce of the future.
The role of higher education within this is increasingly important, helping learners build the advanced knowledge and technical skills needed to progress into specialist careers and leadership roles within industry.”
University Centre Weston continues to work closely with industry partners across the region to ensure students can access ambitious higher education opportunities that connect directly to the needs of employers and the future of the regional economy.
