Weston College Group was proud to welcome senior representatives from the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) to its new Aerospace Skills Academy at Airbus, Filton, for a special visit highlighting the future of technical skills development in the region.

Visitors included Chris Barton CMG, Director for Local and International Growth at the Department for Business and Trade; Matt Cross, Deputy Director for Regions and Markets; Stefano Pucello, Regional Manager for Gloucestershire and Wiltshire; and Antony Marritt, Head of Enterprise, Inward Investment and Innovation at WECA.

The delegation toured the state-of-the-art facility, accompanied by Holly Stokes, Head of Early Careers at Airbus Filton, who joined Weston College Group leaders in showcasing how the Academy is helping to build a pipeline of highly skilled talent for the aerospace sector.

The visit provided an opportunity to discuss how further education providers, employers and regional stakeholders can continue to work together to strengthen skills infrastructure, support inward investment and create progression routes into high-value careers across the South West.

During the visit, Weston College Group also shared the recent announcement that it has been named as one of only four colleges nationally to be recognised as a Technical Excellence College for Advanced Manufacturing.

Pat Jones, Principal and Chief Executive of Weston College Group, said:

"It was a pleasure to welcome colleagues from the Department for Business and Trade and WECA to our Aerospace Skills Academy and to demonstrate the impact that strong partnerships with employers such as Airbus and others can have on developing the workforce of the future.

Being recognised as one of only four Technical Excellence Colleges for Advanced Manufacturing is a significant milestone for Weston College Group and reflects our commitment to delivering exceptional technical education that supports learners, employers and the wider economy."

Weston College Group continues to invest in specialist facilities and employer partnerships to ensure learners gain the skills, experience and confidence needed to thrive in advanced manufacturing, engineering and aerospace careers.

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. 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.

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 valuable 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.

Weston College is proud to spotlight the remarkable achievements of two former A Level students, Sophie Long and Dan Aldridge MP, whose journeys from the classroom to influential careers demonstrate the transformative power of education, resilience, and ambition. 

From aspiring student to a respected figure in broadcast journalism, Sophie Long’s career reflects both dedication and adaptability in a fast-changing media landscape. After studying at Weston College, Sophie built an impressive career across local and national media, becoming a familiar and trusted presenter on BBC News. Her journey highlights how the foundations developed during her time at college - curiosity, determination, and a passion for storytelling - have translated into long-term success. 

Despite her achievements, Sophie remains closely connected to Weston College. As an active alumnus, she continues to support and inspire current students by sharing her industry knowledge and encouraging aspiring journalists to pursue their ambitions with confidence. Her commitment to giving back exemplifies the strength of the College’s alumni community. 

Reflecting on her experience, Sophie said: 

“The media landscape is so different now from the one I entered nearly 30 years ago and it’s lovely to see how the facilities have been updated to prepare students to go off into the ever-changing world of media. It is such a dynamic industry, so it is great to see that students have access to such high-quality equipment and opportunities within Weston College, and I’m excited to hear more about the work they create within their new podcast suite in the future.” 

Equally inspiring is the journey of Dan Aldridge MP, who now serves as the Member of Parliament for Weston-super-Mare. Dan’s path into further education was not without challenges, as illness disrupted his early studies. However, his time at Weston College marked a turning point, where he rebuilt his confidence and developed the resilience that would shape his future. 

Today, Dan is a strong advocate for opportunity, skills, and education, using his platform to champion the importance of further education in transforming lives. His continued engagement with Weston College reflects a deep commitment to ensuring others have access to the same opportunities that helped him succeed. 

Reflecting on his journey, Dan said: 

“Weston College didn’t just give me qualifications - it gave me belief. It challenged me to think differently about what I was capable of, and that’s something that has stayed with me ever since.” 

Both Sophie and Dan have been recognised as Weston College Alumni Trailblazers, a testament to their achievements and ongoing contributions to their respective fields. Their stories highlight the lasting impact of education, showing how the skills and confidence developed during college years can open doors to meaningful and influential careers.