This week, our Automotive students took part in a series of mock interviews with Plantforce, a leading heavy machinery hire company supporting a wide range of construction operations. The sessions provided students with a valuable opportunity to experience real interview scenarios, helping them understand the types of questions employers ask and how best to present themselves.

Plantforce Rentals is a UK-based provider of plant hire machinery and operated plant services, offering a diverse fleet of modern equipment for construction, rail, and infrastructure projects. Founded in 1999, the company specialises in both self-drive and operated machinery, with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and delivering high-quality service.

During the 20-minute interviews, students responded to a variety of typical interview questions. They discussed their career goals, achievements, previous industry experience, and the personal qualities they could bring to a team. These sessions not only helped students build confidence but also gave them a realistic insight into professional interview environments.

Following the interviews, each student received detailed, constructive feedback from the Plantforce team. This guidance highlighted strengths as well as areas for improvement, ensuring students are better prepared for future opportunities. Such feedback plays a crucial role in student development, supporting their transition from education into the workplace.

Through this experience, students gained a clearer understanding of employer expectations while developing their communication skills and building confidence in interview settings. The sessions also created valuable networking opportunities, allowing students to connect with industry professionals and potentially position themselves for future roles within Plantforce. In addition, students were able to ask meaningful, industry-specific questions, helping to deepen their knowledge and reduce anxiety around real interview situations.

Felix Coles, Deputy Head of Automotive at Weston College, said, “This opportunity was a fantastic way for students to develop their communication skills and refine their responses to stand out in an interview setting. While our Motor Vehicle courses are highly practical and equip students with the technical knowledge needed to succeed, it is employer engagement like this that is essential in preparing them for professional environments and meaningful interactions with employers.”

Fay Hill, HR and Payroll Manager at Plantforce, shared her feedback, saying, "We certainly enjoyed the sessions and are pleased to hear that the students found it useful. Their approach to the mock questions, receptiveness to interview feedback, and the way in which they presented themselves throughout was fantastic. All the learners we met will do well in whatever role they might choose next."

A huge thank you to Plantforce for taking the time to meet our students and provide invaluable feedback.

This employer engagement forms part of the Automotive Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys. 

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.

Weston College Group was proud to welcome senior representatives from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to its new Aerospace Skills Academy at Airbus, Filton, for a special visit highlighting the future of technical skills development in the region.

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 state-of-the-art facility, accompanied by Holly Stokes, Head of Early Careers at Airbus Filton, who joined Weston College Group leaders in showcasing how the Academy is helping to build a pipeline of highly skilled talent for the aerospace sector.

The visit provided an opportunity to discuss how further education providers, employers and regional stakeholders can continue to work together to strengthen skills infrastructure, support inward investment and create progression routes into high-value careers across the South West.

During the visit, Weston College Group also shared the recent announcement that it has been named as 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 and others can have on developing the workforce of the future.

Being recognised as one of only four Technical Excellence Colleges for Advanced Manufacturing is a significant milestone for Weston College Group and reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional technical education that supports learners, employers and the wider economy."

Weston College Group continues to invest in specialist facilities and employer partnerships to ensure learners gain the skills, experience and confidence needed to thrive in advanced manufacturing, engineering and aerospace careers.

We spoke with Kate from Alun Griffiths about the ways in which Griffiths consistently collaborate with Weston College.

1. Could you introduce yourself and explain your role at Alun Griffiths?

My name is Kate Hamilton-Border, and I am the Regional Social Value Coordinator-England at Griffiths. I am responsible for the coordination of our social value activity across all our projects in England, ranging from working with local charities, supporting careers and stem activities in education settings, and developing local employment opportunities.

2. What services does Alun Griffiths provide?

Griffiths is one of the leading civil engineering and construction contractors in Wales and the West of England, delivering major infrastructure that supports economic growth, connectivity, and community wellbeing. Founded in 1968 by Alun Griffiths OBE, the company has grown from a regional contractor into a trusted delivery partner for national and local government, transport authorities, and private sector clients.

With a workforce of more than 500 people, Griffiths specialises in highways, rail, active travel, structures, environmental engineering, public realm improvements, and complex infrastructure programmes. The company operates its own directly employed labour force, plant fleet, and materials production facilities, enabling high standards of quality, safety, and programme certainty.

3. In what ways does Alun Griffiths collaborate with Weston College?

Griffiths works with Weston College in several different ways, from providing T Level placement opportunities, Apprenticeships at levels 2,3, and 4 and supporting staff development with additional qualifications. Our staff are also involved in careers education activities and support curriculum design as members of the Construction Professionals Advisory Board. Our collaborations are not just limited to those involved in Civil Engineering and Construction however and we pride ourselves on thinking outside the box when it comes to supporting the college, including opportunities for Kings Trust and Empower learners to develop skills.

4. How has your partnership with Weston College benefited your organisation?

We are proud to be partnering with Weston College; it enables us to develop our early careers offer and provide those who are considering starting their journey in the sector a solid platform to build from. Staff involved with the college enjoy learning from students and staff and sharing their own experiences, valuing time 'away from the day job' and having a sense of achievement knowing they have made a valuable contribution to the North Somerset communities we work in.

5. Can you share examples of how learners have benefited from Alun Griffiths’ involvement as a CEH partner?

Although Griffiths has only recently joined the Career Excellence Hub, we are already beginning to see early benefits for learners through our involvement, with further activity planned for the coming months.

Early examples include:

• Access to employer expertise: Through initial discussions and planned activity, learners are beginning to benefit from direct access to our teams, including engineers, quantity surveyors, social value leads, and operational staff. This is helping to build awareness of career pathways and the skills required to progress.
• Strengthened employer–college collaboration: By joining the CEH, we have established a more structured partnership with Weston College, ensuring that future curriculum input, site visits, and employer-led sessions are aligned with live industry needs. This will directly support learner readiness for employment.

Planned activity for the coming year includes:

• Site visits to active Griffiths projects in the North Somerset and Bristol areas
• Guest lectures and technical talks from our project teams
• T level work placements and early-career engagement opportunities
• Support with employability skills, including mock interviews and CV guidance

As our partnership develops, we expect to gather stronger, more measurable evidence of learner impact. We are committed to playing an active role within the CEH and ensuring that learners gain meaningful, career-enhancing experiences through our involvement.

6. Could you highlight any success stories involving Weston College learners?

During National Apprenticeship Week 2026, we were proud to shine a spotlight on the people who embody what apprenticeships are all about - opportunity, growth, and long-term careers. Few stories capture this better than Jack Billingham’s nine-year journey with Griffiths. Jack joined us in 2016 as an Apprentice Groundworker, eager to learn and build a future in construction.

Through determination, structured training and the support of colleagues across our business, he has progressed all the way to Senior Engineer at our Bristol Airport site. His journey began with a Level 2 Construction Operations and Civil Engineering Apprenticeship, combining hands-on experience on the South Bristol Link Road project with day-release learning at Weston College.

Within a year, Jack had mastered the fundamentals of groundworks, drainage, concreting, and road construction - and was ready for more. He went on to complete a Level 3 Civil Engineering Technician Apprenticeship, gaining experience across flood defence schemes and a major junction improvement project.

This broadened his technical understanding and strengthened his ambition to progress further. Jack then undertook a Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Construction & the Built Environment, again with Weston College. During this time, he stepped up to the role of Site Engineer at Bristol Airport, working first on enabling works and later the Airport’s Multi-Storey Car Park 2 - the largest single project investment on the site at the time. He even took on line-management responsibility, supporting a graduate engineer while applying his classroom learning directly on site.

With encouragement from colleagues and support through Griffiths’ professional development pathway, Jack achieved EngTech MICE status with the Institution of Civil Engineers. This milestone led to his promotion to Senior Engineer, now delivering the North Side Car Parks and Terminal Extension projects.

Jack’s story is more than a personal success - it reflects our commitment to developing local talent, investing in people, and creating long-term careers, not just project-long employment. His expertise now benefits our Bristol Airport sites and the wider South West, demonstrating the lasting community value that apprenticeships can create. And the journey doesn’t stop here. With new apprentices joining our West of England team, Jack is playing a key role in mentoring the next generation of construction professionals, passing on the same support that helped shape his own career.

7. What skills, attributes, or qualities do you look for when recruiting apprentices or industry placement students?

• GCSEs (or equivalent) in Mathematics and English (typically grade 4 / C or above).
• Good numeracy and literacy.
• Basic IT literacy (e.g., MS Office); willingness to learn CAD/BIM.
• Strong communication and interpersonal ability.
• Problem-solving mindset, energy, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail.

8. What advice would you give to organisations considering partnering with Weston College?

Reach out and see what opportunities there are for you, the College is welcoming and staff are always willing to hear new ideas and support organisations in a way which suits you, we have valued the bespoke ways in which we have been able to work with them.

9. Is there anything else you would like to add?

Griffiths is proud to be the headline sponsor of the Weston College Business Awards 2026, strengthening our partnership with Weston College and supporting an event that showcases the very best in learner achievement, employer collaboration, and educational excellence.