Apprenticeships have something to offer for everyone, no matter their career background, educational background or age. They are often an incredible way for people to grow their skillsets whilst broadening their horizons.
Rebecca Coggins is a Programme Manager at City of Bristol College and is also completing a Level 5 skills and teaching apprenticeship alongside her full-time position.
Talking a little about her background, Rebecca said: “Previously I have completed a Beauty Therapy Level 2 and Level 3 qualification as an apprentice and this is how my apprenticeship journey started.
“This was the sector that I was interested in when I left school and after this apprenticeship, I went on to travel the world whilst I worked on a cruise ship as a Spa Therapist.”
It wasn’t long before Rebecca realised just how much she enjoyed sharing her knowledge and helping others to learn, she continued: “When coming home, I realised that I loved the coaching and teaching aspect and started to get into education. I started as an assessor and again completed qualifications whilst I learnt on the job.
“The Level 5 apprenticeship that I am currently completing is something I wanted to do to enable progress within the education sector and push myself with some new learning opportunities.”
When asked how she is finding her apprenticeship, she commented: “I am finding the apprenticeship challenging but enjoyable. I like to be organised, I diarise my study time for my apprenticeship, this enables me to take the time and complete the documents needed and get documents submitted timely for my assessor.”
Rebecca is a stellar example of an individual not needing to be entirely certain on an end goal or have a final future plan in place in order to undertake an apprenticeship, as it is often the apprenticeship journey itself that allows the room for growth and discovery.
Rebecca continued: “At the present moment I have no solid future plans, I am happy within my Programme Manager role and will continue to push myself within this sector when the time is right.”
She also spoke of the advice that she would give to a prospective apprentice who is considering their next steps. She added: “I would advise anybody to opt for an apprenticeship, why would you not want to earn whilst you learn? It is a great insight into a real working job which can open so many doors on all different paths depending on what you are wanting and looking for.
“As long as you are prepared to work hard, you will absolutely smash it!”
For a wealth of information regarding apprenticeships at City of Bristol College, simply click here.
City of Bristol College continues to strengthen its links with local employers, with Bristol-based business Lancer Scott praising the impact that apprenticeships have had on both its workforce and future growth.
Lancer Scott began working with the college in 2023 while recruiting for an Apprentice Electrician, an experience that quickly grew into a wider partnership covering both trade and office-based apprenticeship roles.
Reflecting on the start of the collaboration, a representative from Lancer Scott said: “My involvement with City of Bristol College began in May 2023, when we were searching for a suitable course for a newly recruited Apprentice Electrician. Through this process, I was introduced to Heather and our discussions soon expanded to include office-based apprenticeship roles.
“From the outset, Heather and her team stood out for their proactive approach and genuine commitment to supporting us in finding and developing apprentices.”
Since then, the business has gone on to recruit multiple apprentices with support from the college, citing the clear guidance and ongoing support provided throughout the process: “Our experience with City of Bristol College has been really positive. They supported us through the whole recruitment process, making it easy to find the right candidate and understand what was involved from our side.
“The team has always been approachable and quick to help whenever we’ve had questions. The ongoing support during the apprenticeship has helped our apprentices grow in confidence and develop the skills they need in the workplace. Because of this positive experience, we’ve just recruited our fourth office apprentice and look forward to continuing to work with the college!”
Lancer Scott has also seen clear benefits within the wider business, with apprentices contributing positively to team culture and long-term skills development: “Hiring apprentices has had a really positive impact on our workplace. They have brought fresh ideas, enthusiasm and a willingness to learn, which has been great for team morale and overall culture.
“As they develop their skills, we see our apprentices grow more confident and able to take on more responsibility. It has also encouraged the wider team to support, mentor and share knowledge, creating a more collaborative environment. Overall, having apprentices has strengthened our team and helped build skills for the future of the business.”
The business is now actively encouraging other employers to consider apprenticeships as a sustainable way to develop talent: “We definitely recommend hiring an apprentice to other businesses. Apprentices bring enthusiasm, fresh perspectives and a strong willingness to learn, while developing skills that are tailored to your business from the start. It is a great way to grow talent internally and build a motivated, loyal team for the future.”
For organisations new to apprenticeships, Lancer Scott emphasises the importance of taking a long-term view and working closely with the college: “For businesses considering their first apprentice, our advice would be to see it as a long-term investment. Provide clear support, regular feedback and opportunities to learn on the job.
“Working with City of Bristol College also makes a big difference; having that guidance in place helps make the process straightforward and rewarding for both the apprentice and the business.”
For a wealth of information regarding apprenticeships at City of Bristol College, simply click here.
Image credit: BBC
A city of Bristol College student and professionally trained seamstress has brought her skills to the local area after fleeing war-torn Ukraine.
Mila Shkurat, an ESOL student at the college moved to Bristol from Sumy, on the Russian border as soon as it became occupied by Russian forces when the invasion first began over three years ago.
When her hometown came under heavy shelling, Mila decided to leave with her husband and two children and relocated to the UK, shortly before enrolling in an English ESOL course at City of Bristol College.
She has now settled in Portishead, on the outskirts of Bristol and has successfully launched a small business offering tailoring services which has proved to be incredibly popular with the local community.
“We miss the life, you know. I have lost everything and I miss everything,” Mila commented when speaking to the BBC.
But she said her new business has helped her to feel “useful”.
She continued: “People come to me, they smile, they love my job and it is most important to be useful here.”
City of Bristol College is incredibly proud that Mila is part of our college community and can’t wait to see what she achieves next on her incredible journey!
For more information regarding the ESOL courses that the college offer, simply click here.
Level 2 Certificate in Sports and Fitness student, Thomas Culverhouse has been crowned a WKO English Open Kickboxing champion, winning three silver and a bronze medal in the prestigious championship.
He is also ranked number 1 in two categories in the world in the WKO championships.
Talking about his journey, Thomas commented: “I started kickboxing when I was 10 and since then it has become a huge part of my life. At first it was just to help build my confidence up and as a little side hobby but since then I’ve gone from learning the basics to a 1st Dan black belt.
“I’m also part of the leadership training team where I was helping children’s classes, but I am currently helping the instructors in adult sessions.”
Taking part in a tournament last year, Thomas said: “Tournament wise, the academy has recently set up special classes for those who wanted to begin competitive fights, and I alongside a few others spent months training to improve for the WKO national championships. I attended the WKO national championships in February of this year and came away with four medals.
“The whole weekend was such an incredible experience for me, it was almost like something out of a movie! Having my name being put on the screens and being called out felt unreal, not to mention stepping onto the mats for the first time seeing all of the judges preparing and spectators gathering around. I can’t wait for the next opportunity and to see if I can add anymore medals to my collection!”
So, what’s next for Thomas’ future plans? Thomas added: “I am currently a 1st Dan black belt and I am going for my 2nd black belt in June. After the amazing experience at the WKO nationals in February, I now have a fighter’s licence and I hope to compete later this year and see where it takes me. In the meantime, I’ll be training and helping out in student classes.
“City Of Bristol college has such a diverse range of courses and have a safe and welcoming environment for everyone, not to mention having such friendly and helpful staff that help us out whenever possible; I can’t wait for my next year here.”
To find out more about the Level 2 Certificate in Sports and Fitness, simply click here.
City of Bristol College is delighted to announce an innovative new collaboration with Bristol Beacon to deliver two innovative Music Performance and Production courses from September 2026. The partnership will give students access to the Beacon’s state-of-the-art studios while continuing to benefit from expert teaching and support at the college’s College Green Centre.
The project marks a major step forward in practical music education in the city. Students will study across both sites, gaining first-hand experience inside one of Bristol’s most celebrated cultural venues.
Bristol Beacon’s transformation over recent years has solidified it as a world-class hub for performance, recording and music education; offering accessible design, outstanding acoustics and a vibrant connection to the city’s live music scene.
Applications are now open for the UAL Level 2 Diploma in Music Performance and Production and the UAL Level 3 Diploma in Music Performance and Production.
Both courses are designed for learners who thrive through practical, immersive study.
At Bristol Beacon, students will make full use of the venue’s dedicated education suite, including a professional recording studio, practice rooms, Mac suite and creative cubicles. Collaboration, theory sessions and wider project work will take place at the college’s College Green Centre, ensuring that students develop a balance of technical skill, creative confidence and academic understanding.
Across both levels, students will also explore how emerging technologies, including AI-assisted creativity and workflow tools, can support innovative music production.
Alongside this, sustainable approaches to recording and live production will help learners develop responsible, future-focused creative practices.
Level 2 – Building strong foundations
The UAL Level 2 Diploma in Music Performance and Production is aimed at aspiring performers and producers who want to build a practical grounding in music creation and studio craft. Learners will develop skills in performance and rehearsal, recording and mixing, composition, critical listening and music industry practice.
The course is assessed through a portfolio, culminating in a collaborative Final Major Project that brings together everything that students have learned.
Level 3 – Taking your artistry to the next stage
The UAL Level 3 Diploma in Music Performance and Production is suited to committed musicians, producers and creators who are ready to deepen their skills and prepare for Higher Education or a professional music career.
Students will develop advanced musicianship and production techniques, explore composition and arranging in greater depth and undertake major collaborative and independent projects. They will also receive insight into a range of industry practices, benefiting from extensive studio time and masterclasses at Bristol Beacon. Applicants for the Level 3 course should be comfortable reading music.
This creative collaboration places students at the heart of Bristol’s thriving music ecosystem. By learning in a professional venue known for its diverse programming and commitment to education, City of Bristol College students will gain unparalleled access to real-world environments, experiences and networks.
With both courses set to launch in September 2026, City of Bristol College is now welcoming applications for these cutting-edge courses.
From July 2026, City of Bristol College and Hartcliffe and Withywood Ventures have agreed to conclude their subcontracting agreement. This decision reflects the evolving strategic priorities of both organisations.
Throughout the duration of the partnership, City of Bristol College and Hartcliffe and Withywood Ventures have worked together to deliver education and training that has positively impacted students and the wider community. Both organisations take immense pride in these achievements and in the professionalism and commitment that has characterised their collaboration.
Supporting local communities remains at the heart of both organisations. The Gatehouse remains an anchor institution in the local community, continuing to provide access to learning, skills development and a trusted place for community support.
City of Bristol College remains steadfast in its commitment to serving the diverse communities and students across Bristol, the South West and beyond. The college continues to ensure that the level of education and opportunities that it provides are of the highest standard, are inclusive and accessible to everyone.
This transition will allow Hartcliffe and Withywood Ventures to be creative and responsive to the needs of the community while continuing to collaborate with City of Bristol College and other partners. The focus for both organisations remains on high quality education, community support, inclusivity and social cohesion.
City of Bristol College and Hartcliffe and Withywood Ventures part on excellent terms and with mutual respect. Although moving in different directions, their goals and values remain closely aligned.
At City of Bristol College, colleagues are supported not just in their professional growth, but in their personal wellbeing and community passions too. The college is proud to offer a wide range of employee benefits designed to enhance work-life balance as well as health and happiness – from wellbeing initiatives to career development opportunities and flexible working.
The Employee Benefits Booklet showcases the many ways in which the college invests in its people – including the innovative paid volunteering days. Every staff member is entitled to three days per year of paid volunteering leave, giving colleagues the chance to make a difference in a cause close to their heart whilst gaining new experiences and connections.
For Abby, a Marketing Officer at City of Bristol College, these volunteering days have provided an invaluable opportunity to combine her professional skills with her passion for supporting mental health. Abby uses her volunteering time to help blink mental health, a charity that attends festivals across the UK offering free talking therapy and a calming ‘chill-out tent’ for festival goers.
The ‘chill-out tent’ is a peaceful space filled with beanbags, weighted blankets and mindful activities such as colouring, puzzles and reflection cards; offering a welcome moment of calm away from the often chaotic festival atmosphere.
Abby manages blink’s social media channels, capturing photos and video footage during festival season in order to share the charity’s work online. She is also a wellbeing volunteer, encouraging people to visit the tent, have open conversations about mental health and access free talking therapy sessions.
Outside of festival season, Abby continues to contribute by helping with volunteer recruitment and offering her marketing and project management expertise.
Talking of her volunteer work, Abby commented: “blink is a charity who deliver a meaningful service that is life-changing to many service users. Plus, it’s a great opportunity for me to be in a festival environment and meet new likeminded people.”
“I am grateful that I can continue volunteering my time for the charity alongside working at City of Bristol College and be able to utilise three days of paid volunteering leave, along with my annual leave so that I can support blink during the busy summer period.”
City of Bristol College is proud to witness colleagues like Abby making such a difference in the wider community, by echoing the college’s values outside of the workplace.
The college offers all employees three days per year of paid volunteering leave. This helps colleagues to work closely with causes that mean a lot to them or support their local community; which has been proven to benefit wellbeing and result in a general positive impact.
Paid volunteering days are just one of a multitude of benefits of working at City of Bristol College. For more information, simply visit this link to read the Employee Benefits Booklet from the college.
Julia Gray, Principal and Chief Executive of City of Bristol College, has been elected as the South West Regional Representative on the Association of Colleges (AoC) Board.
The election saw strong engagement from colleges across the South West, with Julia securing the majority of votes. She will serve a three-year term from 1 December 2025 to 30 November 2028.
Julia’s election recognises her outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing Further Education across the region. It also stands as a testament to the journey of improvement and pursuit of excellence that Julia has led at City of Bristol College – driving innovation, collaboration and opportunity for students, staff and the wider community.
Phil Smith, Chair of Governors at City of Bristol College, said: “On behalf of myself and the Board of Governors, we are immensely proud of Julia’s election to the AoC Board. This recognition is a reflection of her vision, leadership, and the transformative progress she has championed at City of Bristol College. Julia’s dedication to excellence has inspired continuous improvement across our college community and beyond. Julia’s appointment ensures that the South West’s voice will continue to be strongly represented at national level within the Further Education sector.”
Julia Gray, Principal and Chief Executive of City of Bristol College, commented: “I am honoured to have been elected to represent the South West Region on the AoC Board. It is a privilege to serve our sector and to advocate for the incredible work being done by colleges across our region. This achievement also reflects the collective dedication and ambition of everyone at City of Bristol College, who share a commitment to transforming lives through education and skills.”
City of Bristol College extends its congratulations to Julia and looks forward to the impact her leadership will continue to have across both the regional and national Further Education landscape.
An innovative new Further Education and Sixth Form Colleges partnership launched this week on 24 September in order to enhance skills development and boost economic growth; for some 50,000 learners across the West.
Bringing a host of new, forward-thinking opportunities with it, Colleges West will improve lives and promote widespread benefits for communities across the region.
Colleges West will represent five individual leading academic institutions – City of Bristol College, St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, Bath College and Weston College. This allows for a united front for Further and Sixth Form education as well as supporting work being led by Helen Godwin, West of England Mayor, as she seeks to drive economic growth in the area.
With a combined annual turnover of £215 million and links to more than 6,700 employers, the region’s five colleges deliver stellar education and training. They are also major regional employers, boasting more than 3,380 employees across the board.
The Principals behind the partnership began meeting earlier this year to strengthen alignment between colleges, employers and national and local Government departments. The partnership will also play a key role in relation to skills on the region’s new Business Board.
The five academic institutions operate on the foundations of shared goals surrounding skills development, community engagement and educational excellence. Colleges West aims to amplify opportunities for learners, strengthen regional partnerships and support the economic growth of the West of England.
Talking of the initiative, Principal and Chief Executive Officer, Julia Gray commented: “Colleges West is an incredibly exciting new partnership allowing for collaboration in the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority area. It will see our colleges work more closely together to enhance the quality of Further Education for the 50,000 students currently enrolled in our colleges and for future students in our region.
“Further Education will continue to play a critical role in delivering economic growth and vibrant communities in our region and Colleges West will work closely with national and regional Governments to ensure alignment and delivery of our shared objectives.
“This will further strengthen the critical role that colleges play in delivering economic growth, social mobility and stronger communities. By working together, our colleges can better support Government and employers to ensure the West of England has the skills it needs to thrive.”
Helen Godwin, the Mayor of the West of England, added: “This new partnership will back skills and back growth. Our colleges and sixth forms give learners the opportunity to achieve their goals at all stages of life and working together with Colleges West in this new chapter for our wider region, we can show everyone how they can be part of a bright future.
“In the week that the new regional Growth Strategy for the coming decade was launched, it’s right to have education and skills front and centre.”
City of Bristol College has reached a major milestone in careers education, achieving all eight of the national Gatsby Benchmarks for the first time.
This marks a significant leap forward from four benchmarks achieved in 2024 and five in 2023, now positioning the college well above the West of England average of 5.9.
The most dramatic improvements were seen in Benchmark 6 ‘Experiences of the Workplace’ and Benchmark 7 ‘Encounters with Further and Higher Education’.
Benchmark 6 rose from 75% in 2024 to 100% in 2025, while Benchmark 7 surged from just 41% in 2024 to 100% this year.
Across the board, City of Bristol College now outperforms both regional and national averages, with standout results in:
- ‘Stable Careers Programme’ (Benchmark 1): 100% vs 90% (regional) and 94% (national)
- Encounters with Employers (Benchmark 5): 100% vs 97% (regional) and 95% (national)
- Personal Guidance (Benchmark 8): 100% vs 91% (regional) and 90% (national)
City of Bristol College is now a regional leader in careers education, setting a benchmark for excellence across the West of England.
Talking of the incredible 100% score under the ‘Stable Careers Programme’ (Benchmark 1), Careers and Employability Manager, Margz Ahmad, commented: “With the support of our fantastic team and management, we’ve built robust careers processes and systems from the ground up – and achieving a 100% Gatsby score shows the outstanding service now in place for our students.”
Head of Student Experience, Jenna Cains, added: “I am incredibly proud of our Careers team for their relentless pursuit of excellence, reflected in achieving 100% in our Gatsby Benchmarks report.
“This achievement, alongside our Matrix accreditation, is a testament to all City of Bristol College staff who recognise the importance and value of high-quality careers education in Further Education and the vital role it plays in supporting our students as they plan their ‘Where Next’.”
For more information regarding careers guidance and support at City of Bristol College, simply follow this link.
This year, talented City of Bristol College Theatrical Make up, Media Make up, Barbering and Hairdressing students took part in the finals of the prestigious national AHT (Association of Hairdressers and Therapists) competition.
The students returned victorious to college with no less than 23 medals under their belt, reigning supreme across several competition categories.
The competition sees colleges from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales go head-to-head in competitive categories such as ‘Realistic injury make up’, ‘Men’s haircut and finish’ and ‘Bridal make up’ with each category welcoming roughly 20 competitors.
As the awards began to be announced on the day of the competition final, it became clear that City of Bristol College students had made their lecturers proud, securing two fourth places (Ruby Glowacki for ‘Editorial make up’ and Lydia Pugsley-Daniels for ‘Bridal make up’), a bronze medal in ‘Body painting’ by Sky Mackel-Machajova, Silver medal for Chloe Oztoprak in ‘Body painting’, a gold medal for Rosie Croker for her ‘Authentic renaissance make up’ and a gold medal for Lexy Brown in ‘Theatrical Ageing Make up’.
Not only did the talented students beat hundreds of the best competitors nationally, they also beat the college’s own record from the previous three years at the AHT competition.
Tutors Rebecca Harper and Kate Hartland were filled with pride, commenting: “This has been 7 months of preparation. We are floored at the level of commitment shown by our squad and models this year.
“It’s been a lot of work, but every second has been worth it. Not only did we stand out with our level of skill but the friendships and bonds that the squad has formed this year are wonderful. We are forever proud and will miss our Monday competition clubs!”
We extend our congratulations to all of the students and their models who took part for their incredible efforts this year. Not least for their demonstrated professionalism and care and for coming together as a team to achieve such an incredible result.
For further information regarding our creative Hair and Beauty courses, simply click here.
To mark the 60-year anniversary of the Race Relations Act of 1965, and as part of the Bristol Bus Boycott 360, Curiosity Un (Ltd) and Bauer Media Outdoor collaborated to launch Designs4Change, a national art competition that encouraged creatives to produce inspiring designs with themes of justice, protest and progress.
Out of over 150 submissions, City of Bristol College student, Gwen Balmer, was selected as one of 4 winners! Gwen’s artwork has been displayed at bus stops across Bristol since October 2024 and will continue to be shown until October 2026. The design will also be displayed on hundreds of Bauer Media Outdoor digital screens across the UK.
Gwen’s design is intentionally dynamic and injected with colour in order to draw the attention of the public and emphasise the celebration of the anniversary. It proudly features the names of individuals and groups that played a key part in the Bristol Bus Boycott in 1963.
Gwen commented: “I wanted to honour the most influential figures and groups involved in the boycott while amplifying the determination of Bristol’s Black community for the 60th anniversary.”
This is a remarkable achievement for Gwen as a young creative and a profoundly historic project to be involved in.
When asked about the competition, Gwen noted: “I think it’s really important to celebrate achievements that come from coming together as a community and standing up to oppression and discrimination.”
As part of this year’s Big Bristol Bus Boycott Takeover, a selected winning design is to be turned into a postcard that will be available for purchase at The Arnolfini. The winner will be unveiled on 28 August on the big screen at We The Curious.
Find out more about Design4Change here: Curiosity UnLtd