<p>Last week, our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/surve… Level: Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction</a> learners took part in a Speed Interview Day alongside <strong>11 different construction employers</strong>. This event provided them with the invaluable opportunity to secure a <strong>placement</strong> as part of their T Level programme.</p><p>The day started with the employers each giving <strong>10-minute presentations </strong>to the learners about what their company offer, and how having a T Level placement would benefit both their business and the learner. Some examples of projects the learners could be working on for their placement included the project to <strong>restore the Grade II* Listed Birnbeck Pier,</strong> <strong>construction of Weston Airfield Primary School</strong>, and <strong>aiding the reconstruction of railway lines.</strong></p><p>The presentations provided the learners with a comprehensive understanding of what each employer could offer in terms of placement opportunities, company culture, and potential career pathways. This well-rounded insight enabled the learners to make informed decisions about which three employers aligned best with their interests and aspirations, allowing them to select the companies they were most eager to engage with during the speed interview sessions.</p><p>Following the presentations, learners participated in three speed interviews with their preferred employers. During these interviews, they tackled typical interview questions and demonstrated why they would be the perfect fit for the placements on offer.</p><p>Thank you to the following employers for coming along and giving our learners such a beneficial experience (also see what the placement learners will get up to with each business!)</p><p>&nbsp;</p><ul><li><a href="https://n-somerset.gov.uk/">North Somerset Council</a> – Birnbeck Pier project management</li><li><a href="https://www.smithandbrenson.co.uk/">Smith and Brenson</a> – North Somerset Council’s contractor for the Birnbeck Pier landside</li><li><a href="https://haverstock.com/">Haverstock</a&gt; – North Somerset Council’s architect for the Birnbeck Pier lanside</li><li><a href="https://mackley.co.uk/">Mackley</a&gt; – North Somerset Council’s contractor for the Birnbeck Pier structure</li><li><a href="https://www.morgansindall.com/">Morgan Sindall</a> – North Somerset Council’s contractor for the Tropicana improvement project</li><li><a href="https://www.willmottdixon.co.uk/">Willmott Dixon</a> – constructing Weston Airfield Primary School</li><li><a href="https://www.tilburydouglas.co.uk/">Tilbury Douglas </a>- potential projects include education buildings or construction of healthcare centres</li><li><a href="https://www.kier.co.uk/">Kier Construction </a>- potential to work on projects such as new student accommodation or prison rooms</li><li><a href="https://www.beardconstruction.co.uk/">Beard Construction </a>- working on projects in Bristol</li><li><a href="https://www.dmsdrywallsystems.co.uk/">DMS Drywall Systems </a>- potential to work on new projects in the Bristol area</li><li><a href="https://griffiths.co.uk/">Griffiths</a&gt; - potential to work on the new Bus Service Improvement Plan</li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Employer feedback:</strong></p><p>"Your students were amazing, and we had a great day. Thank you for having us!"</p><p>"Was a great event with another strong cohort this year. We are also happy to offer a week of work experience for the other students we interviewed on the day as they were really engaged."</p><p>"The enthusiasm and ambition of today’s students show just how bright that future can be!"</p><p>"Well done to the learners on T Levels at Weston College today. Great to see your enthusiasm for the construction industry and meet some of you in the speed interviews." &nbsp;</p><p>"Great T Level event run by Weston College this morning for the 1st yr T Level construction students. A chance to listen to presentations from all areas of the industry and then a speed interview session. Lovely to catch up with our Beard T Level student who was taking part in the morning. Thank you for our invite and the warm welcome."</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>Taking place during <strong>UK Construction Week</strong>, our <strong>‘T Level Day’</strong> for the 2025-2026 term will be held on <strong>Wednesday 1st October. </strong>This event provides an excellent opportunity for employers to connect with our talented T Level Construction learners, share industry insights, and inspire the next generation of construction professionals.&nbsp;</p><p>During the T Level Day, we will also be repeating the ‘Speed Interview’ session due the success from last year, as employer participation made a significant impact and enabled our learners to gain invaluable interview skills whilst gathering practical advice directly from industry professionals.</p><p>Industry involvement is key to giving learners a chance to apply for a T Level Placement, alongside gaining a real understanding of the construction sector; including career pathways, emerging technologies, and the skills needed to succeed. For more information on the speed interviews, please check out last year’s event <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/news/t-level-construction-employer-engagement-… Level Day - South West Skills Campus, Weston-super-Mare</u></strong></p><p><strong>8.30am-9am: </strong>Employers to arrive/Free Parking on site</p><p><strong>8.30am:</strong> Coffee/Tea/Breakfast available, meet faculty teams</p><p><strong>9.25am: </strong>Students in</p><p><strong>9.30am:</strong> Opening from Assistant Principal</p><p><strong>09.40am:</strong> Employer Presentations (10-15 mins per business)</p><p><strong>10.40:</strong> COMFORT BREAK</p><p><strong>11.00: </strong>Employer Presentations (10-15 mins per business)</p><p><strong>12noon:</strong> COMFORT BREAK – Speed Interview Set up</p><p><strong>12.15-1.30:</strong> Speed Interviews with students (in breakout rooms)</p><p><strong>1.30pm: </strong>Lunch/Networking/Feedback</p><p><strong>2.00pm:</strong> Office</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>If you are interested in taking part in this year’s event or would like more details, please email <strong><u>employers@weston.ac.uk</u></strong></p>

<p data-start="51" data-end="225">We spoke with Justin Whiting,<strong> Advanced Technical Trainer – Skills </strong>at the <a href="https://www.nccuk.com/"><strong>National Composites Centre</strong></a>, about NCC’s current apprenticeship programme and how you can get involved!</p><drupal-entity data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="f3fd8c80-559d-4832-ad33-97fef538f264" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>1. What apprenticeships do you offer at NCC through Weston College (which industry's, which levels etc)?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>We currently offer the<strong> Level 3 Composite Technician apprenticeship </strong>which falls in the Engineering category; we also offer <strong>Level 6 Project Management apprenticeships</strong>, however, we are constantly reviewing our apprenticeship offerings so this may change in the future.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>2. What do these apprenticeships entail for the learners?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>The learners are on a 3 year and 3-month programme with time spent at NCC and Weston College. At NCC apprentices will work with experienced technicians to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the apprenticeship, they will also spend time at Weston College learning about Composite materials and working towards the qualifications and their End Point Assessment (EPA).&nbsp;</p><p>The learners will complete a rotation around different areas of the business and then concentrate on specific technologies in the second and third year. As an innovation organisation, the apprentices will be working on cutting edge equipment and procedures. The PM apprentice course lasts 4 years and includes day of study per week for the duration of the programme. Learners on this course will work on different projects with different project teams.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>3. What do NCC look for in an apprentice?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>NCC looks for enthusiastic apprentices who want to learn not just how to do a job but why we are doing that job, we want apprentices to be inquisitive and think of ways that they can improve the processes.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>4. Are there any standout stories of our apprentices at NCC?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>There are many! We have had 5 of our apprentices make the regional finals of Make <strong>UK Apprentice of the Year award</strong>, have been involved in <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize">BBC Bitesize</a> and supported the <a href="https://www.gatsby.org.uk/">Gatsby Foundation</a>. Our apprentices have worked in teams on some amazing projects such as a full-scale wing demonstrator, remote controlled car and drone which have been used to help promote NCC and the apprenticeship programme.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>5. How do apprentices benefit your business?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>Apprentices are a major asset to the business. Apprenticeships allow us to train people right from the start of their career in our processes, ways of working and sector expectations. They bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm into the company and inspire the next generation of engineers and project managers.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>6. Do NCC take on apprentices as full-time employees after they have finished their apprenticeship?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>NCC apprentices are on a fixed term contract for the duration of their apprenticeship, they can then apply for full time roles at NCC.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>7. When are NCC next looking for apprentices, and how can students apply?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>We generally start looking for our new apprentices in January/February with a view to holding interviews in April. We advertise any apprenticeship positions on our website and through Weston College.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>8. What advice would you give to people who are thinking about doing an apprenticeship?&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>Do it!!</strong> An apprenticeship is a great way of learning, gaining industry experience and developing professional behaviours whilst getting paid!</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>9. Is there anything else you would like to add?&nbsp;</strong></p><p>We firmly believe apprenticeships are a great way to start your career, our apprentices are invaluable to the company.</p>