CASE STUDY: Degrees working for students: Rachel Toor

“There’s so much more to a degree than just a piece of paper.”

A University of Wolverhampton graduate has laid the foundations for success in the construction industry.

Rachel Toor, from Bilston in Wolverhampton, graduated with a First Class Honours Degree in Construction Management from the University’s Faculty of Architecture and Built Environment.

Rachel began her career by studying for an Apprenticeship with Walsall Housing Group where she learned the trades as a plumber and gas engineer.

The 26-year-old said:  “I didn’t get great career advice at school but always knew that I wanted to be out and about doing things rather than being office based. I really embraced my apprenticeship and started in the construction industry by learning a trade, with the view of working my way up.”

After achieving her Level 2 and 3 qualifications in Plumbing and Gas, Rachel secured a job with Dudley College in its Waste Management department, moving on to work with a Local Authority whilst at the same time studying part-time for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Building Studies at the University of Wolverhampton.

Rachel is now Trainee Site Manager at Shaylor Group, putting her skills and knowledge into practical use on site.

Her hard work was further recognised when she won two graduation awards - The Wates Living Prize, which is awarded to the graduating student illustrating outstanding development and performance on a final year module, and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) Certificate of Excellence for BCs (Hons) Construction Management, which is awarded in ‘recognition of outstanding performance on the Construction Management Degree course’.