We spoke with Will Payne, Social Value Manager at Willmott Dixon, about Willmott Dixon's partnership with Weston College as a CEH Partner, how they support students through industry placements, and their commitment to inspiring the next generation by showcasing the many pathways into the construction industry.

Can you introduce Willmott Dixon and tell us a bit about what you do?

Willmott Dixon is a UK-based, privately owned construction, development, and interior fit-out company founded in 1852. It delivers a wide range of projects across sectors such as education, healthcare, housing, justice, defence, and commercial property.

The company describes its purpose as delivering brilliant buildings, transforming lives, strengthening communities, and enhancing the environment for future generations. It is led by Rick Willmott, the fifth generation of the founding family, and is known for its strong focus on sustainability, social value, and community impact.

As a Social Value Manager, I help ensure that every Willmott Dixon project in the Wales and South West Region leaves a positive legacy by creating opportunities for local people, strengthening communities, and delivering measurable social, economic, and environmental benefits alongside the construction work.

How have Weston College students been involved in the Airfield Primary School project?

As Social Value Manager, I, Will Payne, have worked closely with Weston College to support students' development and prepare them for careers within construction and the wider world of work. This has included delivering careers talks that provided insight into the construction industry, different career pathways, employability skills and the opportunities available to young people entering the sector.

Willmott Dixon has also attended employer breakfast meetings with college lecturers and senior strategic representatives from Weston College. These discussions have helped influence the development of the College's T Level curriculum, ensuring it reflects current industry needs and equips students with the skills and knowledge required by employers. We have also provided guidance on how industry placements can be structured to deliver the best possible experience and outcomes for students.

To further support employability, we have delivered work experience placements, mock interview sessions, giving students valuable experience of recruitment processes while helping them build confidence, communication skills and interview techniques. Students have also benefited from guest speaker sessions delivered by members of the Willmott Dixon team, sharing real-life experiences and career journeys from across the construction industry.

In addition, students have been invited to visit the Airfield Primary School project through organised site tours. These visits have provided first-hand exposure to a live construction environment, allowing students to see construction processes in action, meet project professionals and gain a deeper understanding of the diverse roles involved in delivering a major education project.

Through these activities, Weston College students have gained practical industry insight, enhanced employability skills, and developed a stronger understanding of the opportunities available within the construction sector, helping to support their transition from education into employment.

What has your experience of offering industry placements been like?

Our experience of offering industry placements has been extremely positive. They provide young people with valuable exposure to the construction industry, helping them develop practical skills, workplace confidence and a better understanding of potential career pathways.

The students we have hosted from Weston College have been a real credit to themselves and the College. They have arrived on time, shown a strong willingness to learn and fully engaged with the opportunities available to them.

During their placements, students have participated in project meetings, supported the wider project team and gained first-hand experience of working on a live construction project. This has helped them understand how different roles work together to successfully deliver new build developments.

What are the biggest benefits of hosting an industry placement student?

One of the biggest benefits is developing future talent. We've supported several students from industry placements into permanent roles with Willmott Dixon, including through our Management Trainee Scheme.

Placements also benefit our project teams by giving employees, particularly junior team members, the opportunity to mentor and support a student, helping develop their own leadership and communication skills.

Finally, working with placement students strengthens our relationship with colleges and provides valuable insight into what is being taught, helping to ensure education and industry remain aligned and relevant to the skills needed in construction today.

What kinds of projects and day-to-day tasks do industry placement students get involved in?

Our industry placement students have gained experience across a wide range of projects, including education, healthcare and defence schemes. We aim to provide opportunities wherever possible, regardless of the type of project, ensuring students gain exposure to different areas of the construction industry.

Students are involved in a variety of day-to-day activities to give them a well-rounded experience. They work alongside different teams and disciplines, including site management, quantity surveying, health and safety, design, environmental and digital construction.

While some students arrive with a clear career path in mind, exposure to different roles often helps them discover opportunities they may not have previously considered. Even if they remain focused on their chosen career, they leave with a much better understanding of how the various departments work together to successfully deliver a construction project.

What do you look for when selecting students for an industry placement?

When selecting students for an industry placement, attitude is the most important factor. We're looking for students who are reliable, enthusiastic and genuinely interested in developing a career within the industry.

Just like any recruitment process, we want to see someone who is committed, willing to learn and prepared to give their best. Technical knowledge can be developed over time, but a positive attitude, strong work ethic and a willingness to get involved are what really help students succeed.

Students who show they are keen to learn, take initiative and go beyond the minimum expectations are often the ones who make the biggest impact and get the most from the opportunity. These are the qualities we look for when identifying and selecting students for industry placements.

In what other ways has Willmott Dixon worked with Weston College?

Willmott Dixon has built a strong and long-standing relationship with Weston College and continues to support the College wherever possible.

Alongside supporting T Level and construction students, we have also worked closely with Weston College's employment programme, which helps unemployed people develop the skills, confidence and qualifications needed to return to work.

As part of the programme, I have delivered sessions explaining what it is like to work for a Tier 1 construction company, providing learners with an insight into the opportunities available within the industry and the pathways into employment. These sessions are particularly valuable for individuals looking to enter construction for the first time, as well as those returning to the sector after a period away.

I often deliver these sessions alongside one of our recruitment partners, giving learners direct access to organisations that can support them into genuine employment opportunities. Through this collaboration, a number of participants have gone on to secure roles on our projects, helping to create local employment opportunities and supporting people back into work.

What advice would you give to employers thinking about offering industry placements?

My advice would be simple: go for it. While it can feel a little daunting at first, the benefits far outweigh any concerns.

Industry placements provide a fantastic opportunity to support young people as they take their first steps into a career. As employers, particularly larger organisations, we have an important role to play in helping develop the next generation of talent and giving students meaningful experiences that prepare them for the world of work.

The students we've worked with have brought enthusiasm, fresh perspectives and a real willingness to learn. In return, they gain valuable industry experience, develop their confidence and build the skills needed for future employment.

Whether directly or through your supply chain, everyone has a part to play in creating opportunities for young people. By opening your doors to industry placements, you're not only investing in the future workforce but also helping enthusiastic students realise their potential and build successful careers in construction.

Is there anything you would like to add?

As I mentioned, we have a long-standing and valued relationship with Weston College, and it's important that we continue to build on this partnership for the benefit of the College, its students and Willmott Dixon.

Weston College makes it incredibly easy for employers to get involved and support its programmes. The team is proactive in engaging with industry, hosting regular meetings, networking events and employer forums to ensure course content remains relevant and aligned with current industry needs. We are always kept informed about opportunities to contribute and are invited to participate in a wide range of activities that support students' learning and development.

Most importantly, Weston College consistently delivers positive outcomes for its learners, helping to prepare them for successful careers and further opportunities.

We're grateful for the opportunity to work alongside Weston College and look forward to continuing our partnership and supporting the great work they do for many years to come.