Creating brighter futures

Civil Engineers play a critical role in our community; they design and manage construction projects, including roads, bridges, canals, dams, airports, sewage systems, pipelines, structural components of buildings, and railways.

Civil engineering is also one of the most in demand construction roles in the UK, with demand due to grow by 10% in the next 10 years.

We asked Paul Nethercott from the sustainable civil engineering contractor, Alun Griffiths, about life in the industry, to give an insight into a career in civils: “Civil engineering is a rewarding, creative and fun job.

"The projects we undertake are critical to the evolution of humanity and our constant ability to adapt and thrive.

"No day is ever the same, it's a team effort with good pay - and lots of fantastic progression opportunities as there simply aren't enough engineers to go around.

"There are lots of different roles that you can take in civil engineering too, including:

• Design
• Surveying
• Civil/Site Engineering
• Building Control
• Buying
• Estimating
• Planning
• Site Technical Support.”

You might be wondering how exactly to become a Civil Engineer – well, you’ve come to the right place!

There are several different routes into the industry, which can be chosen if they suit your learning style:

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is a fantastic way of entering the industry, and provides an opportunity to meet local organisations that are wanting to invest in and develop their future workforce.

Apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16, so you could be a school leaver, or someone that wants to turn their passion into a career. As an apprentice you will be employed by the company, and complete training at college – you will be expected to work at least 30 hours a week, with the rest of your hours being training.

You can complete apprenticeships at a number of Levels, depending on your experience and skill level. We currently offer two apprenticeships in Civil Engineering, click the course below to find out more:

Civil Engineering Level 3 – 36 months

Civil Engineering Senior Technician Level 4 – 12 months

Once you have completed your apprenticeship, you can either further your development by studying the next Level, or go into full-time work.

T Levels

T Levels are a great way to start your journey into becoming a Civil Engineer.

T Levels are the new ‘Gold Standard’ in technical qualifications and are designed to ensure that learners are more employable – with a mix of classroom based learning and practical experience.

Our two-year T Level in Construction: Design, Surveying and Planning, is a Level 3 standard, and can lead on to either a Degree Apprenticeship, or a Degree.

You can also complete other Construction based courses, Engineering courses or A Levels, which can lead you on to one of our Degree Level courses, taught through University Centre Weston.

Paul Nethercott from Alun Griffiths, also told us about some of the key skills that you will need for working in civil engineering: “The industry is really welcoming to graduates and new starters, but there are certain skills that will really help you to have a long and successful career. These include:

• Attention to detail
• Being a team player
• Possessing problem-solving skills
• Being a strong communicator
• Punctuality and reliability
• Having commercial awareness.”

A big thank you to Paul Nethercott.

If you would like to find out more about our courses, join us at our next Open Evening, taking place on the 29th March, across all campuses. Click here to book your spot.

My name is Leigh-Anne and I am the General Manager for OCS at Bristol Airport, looking after the Airside Coaching and PRM (Passengers with Reduced Mobility) Contracts.

We support customers every day, and we provide as much or as little assistance through the airport journey as passengers require. We aim to make travelling through the airport and onto the aircraft as smooth and stress free as possible.

We are an organisation that is passionate about providing opportunities to people looking to enter the industry, and we have worked closely with Weston College over a number of years to support this agenda.

I have always found Weston College to be approachable and helpful. The staff are always positive and flexible where needed. A great team of people that want the best for their students.

Recently we have started offering industry placements to learners at the college, and we have been really impressed. The learners have all been eager to learn and can help support the operation especially at peak times when lots of staff are required to provide the necessary assistance to passengers.

They were all of such a high standard, that we have offered them paid employment within OCS, which has been fantastic to see. Learners have become Customer Care Agents and also one is a Banks person.

Seeing the learners grow has been a real highlight for me. They have learnt new skills, progressed in so many ways and we have provided them with a stepping-stone into the world of aviation.

Working with Weston College has been a great opportunity to expand our network and create new opportunities for learners and OCS.

Leigh-Anne Borkar, General Manager

Find out more about our industry placement opportunities, by clicking here.

Our Travel and Tourism and Business students were fortunate to receive a guest lecture from Lindsey Williams, who is the Head of Sales at Mollie's - a dynamic Motel and Diner that operates in Oxfordshire, Manchester, and Bristol. Recently awarded as the 'Best Budget Hotel' in the Sunday Times Best Places to Stay, Mollie's is currently seeking to expand into new markets, which our learners learned about during the lecture.

Lindsey provided our students with valuable insights into the hospitality industry, sharing her personal journey and experiences working at Mollie's. The Travel and Tourism and Business courses at Weston College cover a broad range of topics, including accommodation and marketing within the industry, and Lindsey shared her practical advice for those seeking to pursue careers in these areas.

Mollie's is an innovative company that is constantly seeking new ways to enhance their services. Our students were privileged to gain a sneak peek into some of the exciting initiatives on the horizon, from Sunday Sleepovers to Staycations.

You can find out more about our courses for 16-19 year olds, by clicking here.