<p>Year 1 T Level <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve…, Surveying and Planning for Construction</a> students recently went on a site visit to two local construction and civil engineering projects in Weston-super-Mare, in order to get valuable experience of live, complex sites.</p><p>Half of the class were given a comprehensive tour of the new <strong>GP Surgery</strong> that is being built next to Weston Rugby Club, behind the Train station, by <a href="https://redconstruction.co.uk/">RED Construction</a>.</p><p>The £15m project consists of a multi storey steel framed structure with a concrete stair and lift core, that will house consulting rooms, offices and a pharmacy. The project is progressing very well and is due to complete by July 2027. The students were given a tour of the whole project which included elements such as groundworks, concrete slabs, window installation, intumescent paint spraying and roofing works.</p><p>The tour was led by Jake, Senior Site Manager and Emma, Site Manager and former <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/">University Centre Weston</a> Construction Professions learner. Students were told about many features of the build, including permeable parking bays, electric charging points and also the need for a survey before any works were carried out, for un-exploded ordance left over from the Second World War.</p><p>The groups then swapped over and went to the <a href="https://www.octavius.co.uk/">Octavius</a&gt; site of the Winterstoke Road replacement railway bridge in Weston. This tour was led by David, one of the Site Engineers on the £26M civil engineering project. David explained to the students in the site office, before going out on site, the 35m deep, 1.2m diameter, reinforced concrete piles that had already been installed on site, as part of the foundations for the bridge abutments. These were then seen on site in real life. David explained the various Health and Safety factors that <a href="https://www.octavius.co.uk/">Octavious</a&gt; that are undertaking, especially whilst working next to a live railway line with trains travelling at 100mph.</p><p>The students were also escorted around the site by Tobias, a former T-Level student, who has now been awarded an apprenticeship with <a href="https://www.octavius.co.uk/">Octavius</a&gt; and is undertaking his Level 3 BTEC qualification in Civil Engineering at Weston College.</p><p>David also went on to explain to the students about the problems that the project team had during the heatwaves in the summer, causing working restrictions imposed on them by Network Rail and how this has caused a delay in the overall completion of the project.</p><p>Construction Professions lecturer, Daniel Comerford, would like to thank all of the members of both <a href="https://redconstruction.co.uk/">RED Construction</a> and <a href="https://www.octavius.co.uk/">Octavius</a&gt;, for their continued support with the students from Weston College, in helping them get a greater appreciation of the complexities of these two live projects, which will help them in their studies over the next two years at Weston College.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><p><span>For Trailblazer Tuesday this National T Level Week, we caught up with Sean to hear about his journey from completing a T Level with an industry placement at </span><a href="https://griffiths.co.uk/"><span>Alun Griffiths</span></a><span> to securing a Civil Engineering apprenticeship within the same company.</span></p><p>&nbsp;</p><h3><strong>Sean's blog -&nbsp;</strong></h3></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p>My name is Sean, and I studied the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve…, Surveying and Planning for Construction T Level</a> at Weston College. I chose this course because I liked the fact that it included an industry placement, meaning I could gain practical, hands-on experience on construction sites as well as learning in the classroom. I felt this would give me a better understanding of the construction industry and help me develop the skills needed for a future career in the sector.</p><p>Throughout the course, I developed my skills in CAD software and gained knowledge of different areas of construction, including quantity surveying, project management and the responsibilities involved in various construction roles. The course also gave me the opportunity to apply what I had learnt in a real working environment through my industry placement, where I gained valuable experience of how construction projects operate day to day.</p><p>Some of my most memorable moments at college were the trips we took during the first year, including visits to the NEC. These were great opportunities to learn more about the industry, see different aspects of construction and get to know the rest of the class. These experiences helped make the course more enjoyable and gave us the chance to learn outside the classroom.</p><p>I completed my industry placement with <a href="https://griffiths.co.uk/">Alun Griffiths</a>, where I worked alongside one of their senior engineers on the <strong>BSIP Queensway scheme</strong> and the <strong>Junction 21 scheme.</strong> During my placement, I learnt how to use a total station and developed a much better understanding of the different responsibilities within a construction team. Being involved in live projects allowed me to see how the skills and knowledge I had gained at college were applied in practice, while also learning from experienced professionals working in the industry.</p><p><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/A2dRhZ0R95o?si=R3C9DAI7s8-G8TDj&…; title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></p><p>I began my placement in November 2025 and, earlier this year, I was offered a job as an <strong>Apprentice Engineer</strong> with <a href="https://griffiths.co.uk/">Alun Griffiths</a>. I believe I secured this opportunity by being reliable, showing up consistently and demonstrating my knowledge, skills and willingness to learn. Building relationships with the team and showing that I could contribute to the work being carried out helped me make a positive impression and progress towards my career goals.</p><p>My T Level confirmed that civil engineering was the career I wanted to pursue, as it allowed me to explore the industry in more depth and gain a clearer understanding of what the role involves. The industry placement was particularly valuable because it helped me develop many of the practical skills I will need as a civil engineer. It has also given me greater confidence and made me feel more prepared as I progress onto my HNC.</p><p>I would definitely recommend T Levels to anyone considering a career in construction. They provide a great balance between classroom learning and practical experience, allowing you to develop useful skills while gaining an insight into different job roles and what they involve on a day-to-day basis.</p><p>The industry placement is a particularly valuable part of the course, as it gives you the opportunity to put your learning into practice, build relationships with employers and potentially secure a job or apprenticeship. For me, the T Level was an important step towards becoming a civil engineer, and it has helped me build a strong foundation for my future career.</p>

<p>Eight T Level learners studying <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve…, Surveying and Planning for Construction</a> recently visited an exciting <a href="https://www.bandk.co.uk/">Bowmer + Kirkland</a> construction project, the new <strong>Lime Hills Academy SEN School</strong> in the Langford and Churchill area.</p><p>The site visit provided learners with a valuable opportunity to see a live construction project in action and connect their classroom learning with real-world industry practices. During the visit, students were welcomed by the B + K Project Manager, David Enever, and two assistant site staff, who shared insights into the planning, coordination, health and safety requirements, and day-to-day management of a major construction project.</p><p>Learners explored different areas of the site and gained a greater understanding of the roles and responsibilities involved in delivering a large-scale education facility. They also had the chance to ask questions about career pathways, project management, surveying activities, and the challenges of working within the construction sector.</p><p>These industry visits form an important part of the T-Level programme, helping students develop their knowledge, skills, and confidence while preparing them for future industry placements and careers in construction.</p><p>Weston College would like to thank the <a href="https://www.bandk.co.uk/">Bowmer + Kirkland</a> site management team for their time, expertise, and support in providing such an engaging and informative experience for our learners.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>