Choosing the construction site over the catwalk might sound like an unusual career move but it’s something Max Streetley, a construction management degree student has opted to do.
Streetley, 22, is currently halfway through his second year of a construction management degree at the University of Greenwich and as well as excelling in his studies, has been juggling the fast-paced and glamorous life of a male model.
Having been spotted at the Reading festival when he was 18, he was promptly signed up by Elite Model Management and has spent the last few years working with fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Topman and Berluti.
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However, construction is his first passion and something he is keen to make a career of, having grown up around the industry.
He explains: “My dad and my granddad had a small construction firm in Kent. It was something I was always interested in and from sixth form onwards I started working there in groundworks. I really like being on site and working and learning about the different trades.
“I’ve just started second year but would like to spend a few years on site learning and then move into project management.”
While he continues to take on modelling jobs when he can, he says he sees himself winding down this work and ultimately focusing just on construction.
He says: “With modelling you have to be free to jump on a plane and go to a job. It can be all quite last minute. Plus looks and what some designers want changes. So, while I can get work now, that might change in the future.
“Basically, I see it as the best paid student job I could do. And I’d love to use the money I’ve earned to buy a property or something and do it up myself.”
“My dad and my granddad had a small construction firm in Kent. It was something I was always interested in and from sixth form onwards I started working there in groundworks.”
Max Streetley
Christine Gausden RD FCIOB, Streetley’s tutor at Greenwich University, says: “Max really is a model in more than one way. He works extremely hard and academically is one of our top students. He is also humble about his modelling success and achieving the Greenwich Employability Passport (GEP), which encourages employability among students and recognises students’ additional activities and achievements.”
Such is his commitment to improving himself he spent last summer doing 12 weeks of work experience with four different contractors, spending around three weeks each with Willmott Dixon, Laing O’ Rourke, Skanska and Berkeley Homes.
At Willmott Dixon he spent his time working on the £25m refurbishment of the historic Dreadnought building, previously a naval hospital, on the University of Greenwich campus.
Speaking about Streetley’s work, John Lindsay, senior site manager at Willmott Dixon, says: “I would like to say that out of all the work experience people that have attended our site Max really stood out, his commitment to learn, engage with the team and site operatives, and being generally enthusiastic about the construction industry was refreshing.
“Max has had two separate stints on our site, which collectively amounted to six weeks, after his first visit we stated that Max would be more than welcome to attend site at any time when he is free from his studies or his modelling career to join the team again.
“I do hope he will join the trainee scheme with Willmott Dixon because I believe he will be a great asset.”
