The former Cardinal Newman Catholic School pupil joined the firm at the start of February and is completing one day a week with the business as part of the industry placement element of his T Level course.
He has been introduced to a range of areas across the business, including site management, design and project management.
Ashton has been supporting the quantity surveying team with application analysis, measuring site and floor plans, updating re-measures and inputting project information into spreadsheets.
He has also attended project meetings, giving him first-hand experience of how construction projects progress from both a commercial and operational perspective.
Ashton said: “I’ve had a great first few months at Deeley Group and everyone has been very welcoming since I joined.
“I am learning what the role of a quantity surveyor involves in practice, from application analysis and measuring plans to sitting in project meetings and seeing how live construction projects progress.
“The placement has given me a proper insight into what it is like to work in construction. You can learn about it in the classroom, but until you are in a workplace and seeing it first-hand, you do not properly understand what the industry involves.
“I would definitely recommend the T Level route to anyone interested in construction.”
T Levels are two-year qualifications equivalent to three A Levels and include an industry placement, which is approximately 45 days, giving students the opportunity to apply their classroom learning in a real working environment.
Deeley Group is supporting the placement as part of its commitment to developing future talent in the construction industry and strengthening links between education and employers.
The firm is a member of The 5% Club and has a history of supporting employees through training and apprenticeships and currently 25% of its workforce have come through a trainee, apprenticeship or graduate programme.
Eleanor Deeley, Joint Managing Director of the Deeley Group, said: “Since we were founded 90 years ago, we have been committed to giving young people the opportunity to join the construction industry.
“The industry has a major skills challenge and we need to encourage more young people to consider careers in the sector if we are going to deliver the homes, workplaces and community spaces the country needs.
“We hope Ashton’s time with us gives him a strong platform for the future and it has been great to have him on board for the last few months.”
Louise Hugill, Industry Placement Coordinator at WCG, said: “We are delighted that Deeley has given Ashton this highly sought-after opportunity. We have already seen him grow in confidence, technical ability and professionalism during his time with the team.
“We are proud to work with such a respected Coventry company and know that this experience will have a lasting impact, providing Ashton with an excellent foundation as he works towards securing a degree apprenticeship and building a successful career in the construction industry."
