29 January 2026
The West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT) welcomed Claire Hazelgrove MP for Filton and Bradley Stoke to GKN Aerospace’s Global Technology Centre in Bristol, showcasing how industry and education are working together to deliver high-quality technical skills and support regional economic growth.
The visit, facilitated by the West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT) and initiated through the Gatsby Foundation, brought Claire Hazelgrove MP together with education and industry leaders from across the WEIoT partnership, including GKN Aerospace, the Weston College Group and the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). GKN Aeropsace apprentices also took part, sharing first-hand insights into technical education and their progression into high-skilled aerospace careers.
The visit included a tour of the Global Technology Centre (GTC), beginning in the Training and Education Centre, where the MP met apprentices, explored the learning environment, and viewed specialist facilities. The tour continued into the workshop, home to Weston College’s learning space, demonstrating how technical education is being delivered directly alongside cutting-edge aerospace innovation.
The WEIoT was established to bring together education and industry in a new, collaborative way, uniting colleges, a university, and employers to deliver high-quality technical education aligned to the region’s skills needs. Over time, WEIoT has evolved into a strategic, employer-responsive partnership focused on building strong talent pipelines across priority sectors including engineering and advanced manufacturing, digital, health and life sciences, construction, and creative technologies.
The visit reinforced Claire Hazelgrove MP’s commitment to supporting young people, strengthening links between education and local employers, and ensuring the region’s aerospace and engineering sectors have the skilled workforce they need to thrive.
Claire Hazelgrove, MP for the Filton and Bradley Stoke constituency, said:
“I’m grateful to GKN Aerospace for hosting me together with key representatives from UWE Bristol, Weston College and the Gatsby Foundation on site in Filton on Friday to hear more about their collaboration – between industry, education and research – at the West of England Institute of Technology (WEIoT).
“This collaboration is both driving innovation and creating opportunities right here in our community, including for apprentices like Reece, Maddie and Lysander, who we heard from about their invaluable experience here.”
“It was good to return to GKN Aerospace’s Global Technology Centre to see the cutting-edge work being done here, which is also where this collaborative learning site is situated – right in the thick of it, bringing learning to life.
“Our Labour Government is backing further education and gold standard apprenticeships alongside university education – rather than pushing it instead of these other valuable routes – and funding the costs of training apprentices for SMEs.”
