<p>We spoke with Kate from <a href="https://griffiths.co.uk/">Alun Griffiths</a> about the ways in which Griffiths consistently collaborate with Weston College.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>1. Could you introduce yourself and explain your role at Alun Griffiths?</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>2. What services does Alun Griffiths provide?</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>3. In what ways does Alun Griffiths collaborate with Weston College?</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>4. How has your partnership with Weston College benefited your organisation?</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>5. Can you share examples of how learners have benefited from Alun Griffiths’ involvement as a CEH partner?</strong></p><p>Although Griffiths has only recently joined the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/FutureTalentBusinessPartner">Career Excellence Hub</a>, we are already beginning to see early benefits for learners through our involvement, with further activity planned for the coming months.</p><p>Early examples include:</p><ul><li>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.</li><li>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.</li></ul><p>Planned activity for the coming year includes:</p><ul><li>Site visits to active Griffiths projects in the North Somerset and Bristol areas</li><li>Guest lectures and technical talks from our project teams</li><li>T level work placements and early-career engagement opportunities</li><li>Support with employability skills, including mock interviews and CV guidance</li></ul><p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>6. Could you highlight any success stories involving Weston College learners?</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>This broadened his technical understanding and strengthened his ambition to progress further. Jack then undertook a Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Construction &amp; 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.</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>7. What skills, attributes, or qualities do you look for when recruiting apprentices or industry placement students?</strong></p><ul><li>GCSEs (or equivalent) in Mathematics and English (typically grade 4 / C or above).</li><li>Good numeracy and literacy.</li><li>Basic IT literacy (e.g., MS Office); willingness to learn CAD/BIM.</li><li>Strong communication and interpersonal ability.</li><li>Problem-solving mindset, energy, enthusiasm, and a positive attitude.</li><li>Good organisational skills and attention to detail.</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>8. What advice would you give to organisations considering partnering with Weston College?</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>9. Is there anything else you would like to add?</strong></p><p>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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/node/88092"><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/Power%20Up%20-%20WEB%20BANNER_5.jpg" data-entity-uuid="964d5b09-a01f-42d9-a5f6-c03118ff93aa" data-entity-type="file" alt="Power Up Logo" width="5522" height="1355"></a>

<p>On Friday 6th March, as part of <strong>Women in Construction Week</strong>, Weston College hosted a <strong>Women in Construction Roundtable</strong> at our South West Skills Campus in collaboration with the <a href="https://www.westofengland-ca.gov.uk/"><strong>West of England Mayoral Combined Authority.</strong></a></p><p>The event brought together women from across the construction sector, including representatives from <a href="https://www.kier.co.uk/"><strong>Kier Group</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://griffiths.co.uk/"><strong>Alun Griffiths</strong></a><strong>,</strong> <a href="https://kanegroup.co.uk/"><strong>Kane Group</strong></a><strong>, </strong><a href="https://www.gallifordtry.co.uk/"><strong>Galliford Try</strong></a> and <a href="https://www.tclarke.com/"><strong>TClark</strong></a><strong>,</strong&…; alongside Weston College’s own T Level learners, apprentices, and members of the college’s careers and apprenticeship teams.</p><p>The session began with a welcome and overview of the event, followed by roundtable introductions. Employers then shared short video clips showcasing their organisations and the opportunities available within their businesses, before offering reflections on their roles and career journeys.</p><p>This was followed by a discussion on career pathways within construction, exploring traditional and alternative routes into the industry, as well as advice for those at the start of their careers. The final part of the roundtable focused on the experiences of women working in construction, covering topics such as challenges faced, the value of support networks, the rewards of working in the sector, and opportunities for positive change.</p><p>The conversation sparked honest and inspiring reflections on career journeys, early exposure to careers in school, obstacles encountered along the way, and the successes that come with determination and perseverance. The event provided a fantastic opportunity to share experiences, celebrate progress, and highlight the importance of visibility and representation for women in the industry.</p><p>Events like this play a vital role in demonstrating that construction is a career open to everyone, offering a wide range of pathways and opportunities.</p><p>If you would like to get involved in future events like this, please contact <strong>employers@weston.ac.uk.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Year 1 learners from the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve… in Design, Surveying, and Planning in Construction</a> course recently received an insightful guest lecture by two members of the <strong>IKO Group</strong>.&nbsp;</p><p>IKO Group is a manufacturing company that produces innovative roofing, waterproofing, insulation and infrastructure solutions, along with a fast-growing highway maintenance range for the construction industry. Their approach to sustainability is one of their core values, ensuring to reduce their carbon footprint whilst improving energy efficiency.&nbsp;</p><p>Emma Howard, Business Development Manager at IKO, and her colleague Louis, showcased the diverse range of materials produced at their three UK-based factories. The primary focus of the presentation was on the sustainability aspects of IKO's materials. They highlighted their commitment to delivering materials with minimal or no packaging.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>Additionally, the speakers shared a case study involving the construction of a new Tesco store, where all off-cuts from the single-ply membrane were collected and returned to the manufacturing plant for recycling. Small samples of materials were then distributed among the learners, allowing them to examine the materials firsthand.&nbsp;</p><p>Daniel Comerford, a <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const… Professions</a> lecturer at Weston College,&nbsp;said, “I am very grateful for Emma and Louis for taking the time to come into college. It is guest lectures like these that give our students invaluable insights into different areas of the construction industry, providing them with a more holistic understanding of their options after college. They also explained to the learners about the sustainability factors that need to be considered for the various materials that make up a construction project.”&nbsp; &nbsp;</p><p>A big thank you to Emma and Louis from the IKO Group for sharing their experiences and insight.&nbsp;</p><p>This guest lecture forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/const…; 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. &nbsp;</p><p>Progress to the next level in <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses-by-subject/engineering-and-construction/"…;! At <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/">University Centre Weston (UCW)</a> our students give us impressive feedback, with our latest National Student Survey results putting us above average in all nine areas! Find out more about our exceptional teaching, wellbeing services and learning resources by visiting our website. <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/">Click here!</a>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>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 </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. 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.</strong></p>