The Engineering and Motor Vehicle Department hosted a special Employer Appreciation Meal, bringing together industry partners, staff, and students for an evening that celebrated collaboration, innovation, and the future of technical education.
The event recognised the vital role employers play in enriching learning experiences, from offering expert advice and shaping curriculum content to creating real-world opportunities for students. Among the guests were Charlie Jerram from SkillsHouse Careers and Technical Education, Holly McLeod from Solenis, Jake Chaplin from Aston Martin, James Lowham from Bentley, Jon Wilkinson from Byworth Boilers and Stewart Wild from Bradford Council Fleet.
The evening was designed as a thank you to these partners, whose continued support helps bridge the gap between education and industry. Their involvement ensures students develop the technical knowledge, confidence, and workplace understanding required to thrive in their future careers.
“It was a great evening to say a huge thank you to the employers who have not only supported our students with their course, but have also implemented ideas into our curriculum. It was great to see staff collaboration and for the event to double as a networking opportunity. We’re really excited to work with even more partners next academic year and continue transforming the lives of our students.”
While the evening recognised employer collaboration, it also showcased student talent at its very best. Catering students took full ownership of the dining experience as part of their Ambition Hub project, designing and delivering the event from start to finish.
Students were challenged to create a seasonal menu featuring three starters, three main courses and three desserts. Beyond the food itself, they were responsible for planning and costing the menu, assigning team roles, managing time effectively, and ensuring all health, safety and food hygiene standards were met. Each group presented their concepts, with a winning team selected by the catering lecturer and an external chef.
The chosen team then brought their plans to life on the night, running the kitchen and service with the external chef observing. The result was a busy and highly professional service, with students demonstrating teamwork, organisation and resilience under pressure.
“I was very impressed with how seriously the students took the assignment. They exceeded my expectations, and I was incredibly proud to watch them at work. I was actually a guest in the restaurant for the evening, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”
The event perfectly combined technical education with practical experience, giving catering students the chance to operate in a live environment while engineering students and staff engaged with industry partners in a meaningful way.
By bringing together employers, educators and learners, the evening highlighted the power of collaboration in shaping future careers. With strong partnerships continuing to grow, the college remains committed to providing students with the skills, opportunities and inspiration they need to succeed in engineering, motor vehicle and beyond.
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