Deeley Group has continued its history of developing young people with three of its team graduating and celebrating degree success.
Tom Jeffrey, Jack McQuillan and Charles Gordon have all been supported to complete construction-related degrees while working at Coventry-based Deeley Group.
The trio follow a proud history of training and development at the business, which celebrates its 90th anniversary this year, with a series of former trainees holding senior director-level positions in the business.
Deeley Group is a member of The 5% Club, a group of more than 250 employers committed to developing the skills of young people, and 20 per cent of its workforce have come through a trainee, apprenticeship or graduate programme.
Tom and Jack joined the business in 2020 after completing work experience with the firm and then taking on apprenticeships.
Tom, from Earlsdon, achieved a first-class degree in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management from Coventry University. He has since been promoted to Quantity Surveyor.
The 22-year-old has already taken the lead quantity surveying role on a commercial scheme at Brindley Road in Exhall and will now be the main Quantity Surveyor on the businesses’ Buckingham 40 industrial scheme.
He said: “I came into the business at 16 with very little knowledge of the construction industry. Combining work with studying has been a challenge at times, but earning the qualification and reaching this point has made it all worthwhile.
“The team at Deeley have treated me incredibly well. The support and training I have received has been phenomenal and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop here.”
Jack, from Stivichall, achieved a 2:1 in Construction Management from Coventry University and has now been promoted to Site Manager. He has been appointed as Site Manager for the company’s later living development on Bermuda Road in Nuneaton.
Jack said: “Studying while working full-time on challenging construction projects is difficult, particularly as my responsibility levels have continued.
“I started with very little industry or people-management experience and I am now trusted to run my own site. That shows how far I have come since joining the company. There is still so much to learn, particularly as the construction industry continues to change.”
Charles, 23, from Coventry, has completed a 2:1 degree in Commercial Management and Quantity Surveying from Nottingham Trent University.
He initially studied full-time at Loughborough University before joining Deeley Group for a placement year. He was then offered a permanent position and completed the final two years of his degree part-time alongside is work.
Charles has now progressed to Quantity Surveyor, with his experience including working on the firm’s major later living scheme for Anchor in Sutton Coldfield.
Charles said: “Working and studying at the same time was very different to being a full-time student, but it meant I could apply what I was learning to live projects.
“I have worked under three different surveyors since joining and that has been invaluable. Each person has shown me different ways to approach the role, and I have always felt confident and comfortable asking questions.
“My next ambition is to work towards RICS accreditation.”
Steve Turner, Construction Director at Deeley Construction, said: “My own career with Deeley started as a Junior Trainee Surveyor and the support I received gave me the foundations to build my career.
“Charles, Jack and Tom’s success reflects the Deeley Way and our commitment to helping young people start their careers in the construction industry.
“They have worked hard to get to this stage and have bright futures with the business.”