Chris Suttill

What inspired you to pursue a career in your field?

I have a passion for knowing how the cogs work, understanding that a machine works as a sum of its parts. Working in the industry both on and off the tools I love the excitement of bringing a machine back to life from a state of disrepair to something that can be an asset on-site.

Considering the demanding conditions that construction plant and land-based machinery must endure, being part of ensuring the wheels can turn a million times, or that the hydraulics respond every time a control is used, is deeply rewarding. And lets not forget,  some of the equipment I work on and can operate is just cool! It’s cool to break rocks with hydraulic power or move tonnes of earth with diesel, it never gets old. Emerging technologies are now proving very interesting and inspiring and are now giving us a new outlook on what can be achieved if we understand how the cogs work.

What do you enjoy most about your role at the college?

I enjoy interacting and engaging with the learners. Their fresh perspective on the industry is invaluable, they often see things we have become blind to. We also see learners a very formative time in their lives that means the college, learning, friendships and mentoring will stay with them for years to come. To see a learner arrive with no experience of the industry and develop into a confident employee equipped with qualifications we’ve helped them achieve and able to navigate their career with assurance is incredibly rewarding. It’s a shared achievement between the learner and the entire team that supported them along the way.

Areas of Interest and Expertise

I hold a key teaching role focused on machinery and equipment electrics and their interaction with mechanical systems. I find simple engineering concepts genuinely exciting, the application of mechanical advantage, the principles of fluid movement, the elegance of electrical control systems. All of these elements work together in harmony to build the machines that quite literally build the world we live in.

My industry experience spans equipment ranging from small handheld tools to large earth-moving machinery. Fifteen of those years were spent directly on the shop floor and in a van, hands-on, problem-solving work that taught me how theory translates into practice. This foundation means I understand not just the “what” and “how,” but crucially, the “why”. That real-world perspective is invaluable when translating complex concepts into something learners can grasp and apply.

What advice would you give to students looking to succeed in your subject area?

A strong work ethic and a curiosity about how things work are essential. If you’re the kind of person who dismantled toys to see how they ticked or spent hours tinkering with your bicycle, this field will likely suit your personality perfectly. You get out as much as you put in, and the opportunities in the workplace are wide, varied, and rewarding.

If your students had to describe you in three words, what would they say?

Encouraging, detailed, fair.

Why choose an Apprenticeship?

I see apprenticeships as not just a way to learn, but the best way to learn. The combination of workplace experience with the scaffolding and support from college develops knowledge that truly stays with you. The opportunity to put learning into practice and repeat that practice pushes learners into a deeper model of thinking that transforms abstract concepts into tangible skills they can harness. The earn-while-you-learn model gives apprentices a genuine head start in life, allowing them to mature with real financial independence and security. In the current climate, it’s increasingly difficult for young people to find work after higher education. The apprenticeship model bridges this gap: it helps young people into the workplace, enables employers to train and nurture talent, and offers progression all the way to Level 7,  the equivalent of a degree.