Publication Date: 15-01-2025 09:00
Young mum builds career in construction industry with Bellway
Young mum Daniella Benjamin is building a career in the construction industry with Bellway as part of the housebuilder’s Graduate Programme.
The 24-year-old, who lives with her three-year-old son Malachi and her parents in Sittingbourne in Kent, joined the housebuilder after graduating from Coventry University with a degree in architecture.
Daniella joined the developer in September 2024 and is currently based at Harbour Village in Northfleet, where Bellway Thames Gateway is building houses and apartments as part of the regeneration of the former Northfleet Cement Works.
“It is great to be able to go from studying for a degree to having a job as a construction graduate trainee with such a prestigious housebuilder,” said Daniella. “I had to take a year out of my degree course to have my son Malachi but I was determined to get back to university and to finish my course.
“Having studied architecture I knew that I wanted a job in the construction industry. My parents, who helped me look after Malachi, and still play a huge role in supporting me, encouraged me were delighted when I got the job with Bellway as a construction graduate.
“I have been given Josh Steadman as my graduate mentor, which is great because he works on the same development as me at Harbour Village. He has recently completed the same two-year construction programme and qualified as an assistant site manager. Whenever I have any problems or want to discuss an issue with him, Josh is always there and knows exactly what I am going through.
“The site manager Charley Fraser has also been very helpful with supporting me as he went through a similar process when he started in the construction industry as an apprentice. Adam Holmes, the assistant site manager, has been very supportive and always there to answer any questions I have.”
Daniella was one of 22 graduates hired by Bellway through its 2024 graduate programme.
“As part of the two-year programme I will get the opportunity to spend some time in different departments to get an insight into how they work,” said Daniella. “I have so far worked in the finance department and in the quantity surveying team and will be seconded to the land team in early 2025.
“This process has been great for me as I have met people in other departments and got to know them and have a better understanding of how they work and what role they play in the operation as a whole. I love the construction role because I don’t want to be stuck in an office five days a week and in this department you have to get out onto site to solve problems and make sure things are going according to plan.
“It did feel a bit odd being the only women on site but everyone, including the trades people, have been brilliant and just treat me as another colleague who is there to get on with the job. My goal is to become a site manager and to show my son that things may not go as planned, but it’s just an opportunity to learn, adapt, and keep pushing towards your goal and that anything is achievable if you work hard for it.”
John Haggerstone, Construction Director at Bellway Thames Gateway, said: “Daniella is exactly the kind of talented individual we are seeking to employ through our graduate programme. She became a mum in the middle of her university studies but did not let that stop her completing her course.
“Daniella has brought that incredible determination and commitment to her role at Bellway Thames Gateway and is showing a real aptitude for the job. We will support her as much as we can to give her the opportunity to fulfil her potential and to enjoy a career in the construction industry.”
For more information about careers with Bellway, visit https://www.bellwaycareers.co.uk/.
