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. Are 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 value 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.