National Careers Week is an important opportunity to highlight the wide range of career opportunities available in the construction and ground engineering industry.
The week is about showcasing the variety of career routes. By sharing the experiences of people at different stages in their careers, from apprentices and graduates to managers and directors, we aim to demonstrate that there is no single route into construction and ground engineering, and that both men and women can thrive in roles across our business.
Here, six Van Elle employees share their journeys, offering insight into the range of roles available and how careers can grow and evolve within our company.
Debbie, Apprentice Civil Engineer
Debbie joined our Rock & Alluvium team based in Leatherhead in 2025. Eager to gain hands-on experience and develop her skills on site, she began a Civil Engineering Degree Apprenticeship, combining practical work with academic study to build a strong foundation in the industry.
“Applying what I’ve learned at university and in the office to real projects has been incredibly rewarding. Visiting site for the first time and observing concrete trials and construction in progress really brought engineering to life and showed how design, testing and site teams work together. Being supported by an experienced team has helped build my confidence, and I’m excited to see how much I continue to develop. As a woman in the industry, I hope my experience can encourage others to pursue engineering – showing that with curiosity, dedication, and the right support, you can grow, learn, and make a real impact.”
Nils, Graduate
Nils joined Van Elle in March 2020 as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor. The company quickly recognised his potential, and six months later he was offered formal training. Having always aspired to earn a degree, Nils embarked on a five-year apprenticeship in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, completing the graduate programme to combine practical experience with academic study. He recently graduated with a First-Class Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management.
“Completing my five-year apprenticeship in 2025 and achieving a First Class Honours in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management has been a proud milestone. Alongside technical knowledge in cost management and contracts, I’ve developed essential skills through project experience. The apprenticeship gave me the confidence to take on greater responsibility and laid the foundations for my career in ground engineering. My advice to anyone considering this career is to get hands-on experience and take every opportunity to develop your skills.”
Richard Brown, HSE Advisor
Starting as an operative in our production team in 2013, where we manufacture our Smartfoot ground beams, Rich progressed into quality management. A keen interest in Health & Safety led him to the HSQE department, where he now oversees our facilities, production, and other satellite locations, gaining experience across multiple areas of the business.
“My advice to others is to keep a positive attitude and be willing to learn every day. My time in production taught me the value of teamwork and gave me the chance to put learning into practice. Completing my Site Supervision Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS) sparked my interest in Health and Safety, which led me to progress to the Site Management Safety Training Scheme (SMSTS) and begin my career in Health, Safety, Quality, and Environment (HSQE). It shows that putting yourself forward for opportunities can really shape your future.”
Gareth Griffiths, Contracts Manager
Gareth joined our ground investigation business, Strata Geotechnics, in 2015 as an operative. He progressed to driller and then site supervisor before moving into an office-based role as Contracts Supervisor. He now works as Contracts Manager, bringing practical, on-site experience to his role in contract management.
“Starting on site as an operative and progressing into contract management has given me a strong understanding of how projects work. Experiencing challenges first-hand helps me plan jobs more effectively and support teams in the right way. My advice to anyone starting out in the industry is to make the most of every opportunity and learn as much as you can.”
Daniel Smith, Senior Contracts Engineer
Dan joined our housing division as a Setting Out Engineer in 2020 and later moved from site to an office-based role, bringing practical, on-site knowledge into contract management.
“Starting on site as a Setting Out Engineer has shaped the way I approach contract management today. Experiencing first-hand how programmes shift, drawings change, and small issues can escalate quickly taught me to review contracts and scopes with a practical, real-world mindset, not just what works on paper. That experience now guides me to prioritise clarity, early risk management, and realistic planning, ensuring commercial decisions support delivery rather than hinder it. For anyone looking to join the industry, getting hands-on experience on site is invaluable – it provides a strong foundation of knowledge, builds confidence, and opens the door to a wide range of opportunities.”
Scott Mills, Operations Director – General Piling
Scott joined Van Elle in 2001 and has since progressed into leadership, showing the value of diverse skills.
“I started my career at Van Elle on site as a pump operator, learning the job from the ground up. Over time, I worked across multiple roles, from testing and ground investigation through to contract management, gaining a broad understanding of both operations and people. That experience has been invaluable in my role today as Operations Director, helping me support our teams and build strong relationships with colleagues and clients. Coming in at grassroots level allowed me to build strong relationships and gain hands-on experience that still shapes how I lead today. My advice to anyone starting out is simple: be honest, work hard, stay safe, and take every opportunity to learn and gain experience. And as you progress, remember to lead by example – most importantly, don’t ask someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.”
At Van Elle, we are proud to take part, sharing the stories of our employees to inspire, inform, and encourage discussion about the diverse paths a career with us can take.