Five graduates have been selected from over 270 applicants for Tara Group’s two-year Early Talent Programme.
Njivwanji Ngambi (21-years-old), Gabrielle Tyler (23), Sam Hoof (32), Jack Morris (21) and Max Moore (21) have been recruited as the 2025 graduate intake and will rotate across professional roles within Tara Group’s head office and three subsidiary businesses (Chasetown Civil Engineering, Keon Homes and Cameron Homes), which directly employ over 300 people.
Carli Gallier, head of people at Tara Group, said: “Our graduate scheme is a fantastic way of getting into the construction industry and gaining professional insight into a wide variety of roles, while earning an attractive starting salary package. The whole Group is fully invested in the career progression of these talented young people and the overall success of the programme, as a route to fast-tracking the best graduates to become future directors.
“We launched our Early Talent Programme in 2019 with a two-year rotational work plan, which allows each person to experience up to three months in every part of the business, from being site-based to Technical, Commercial, and optional rotations in areas such as Finance and Business Development.
“We have recently doubled the Group’s intake of graduates and are now gearing up to recruit eight university leavers in 2026. The first stage of the next application progress will commence in January, concluding with a final assessment centre held at St George’s Park in Burton-on-Trent.”
The starting salary offered to graduates by Tara Group is £27,000 for the first year, £29,000 for the second year, and over £30,000 upon finishing the training programme. Benefits include a car allowance, 7% employer pension contributions, up to 30 days annual leave, plus your birthday off as a given day. There is a generous bonus (based on company performance), Bupa cover after six months, and Medicash available from the start of the employment.
Each graduate is assigned a ‘buddy’, as well as a mentor – who is a director in the business – to sit in on review meetings after every departmental rotation.
Richard Williams, managing director of Keon Homes, said: “Some graduates join us with their mind set on a particular area of focus, but often end up in a different department. One individual who was set on being based on-site in Production ultimately opted to pursue a career as a quantity surveyor – a role that offers the interaction of being on-site, whilst using commercial acumen.
“Doubling the number of graduates the group take on since the programme was launched reinforces our long-term commitment to addressing the construction sector’s escalating skills shortage. The on-the-job rotational departmental training we provide enables us to identify stand-out young employees suitable for fast-tracking into senior roles. One graduate quickly progressed to become a senior land manager and we are currently supporting him through the Cranfield Business Programme.”
Sam Hoof is a University of Wolverhampton graduate and part of the latest cohort to join Tara Group. He said: “I worked in retail for Tesco for 15 years, before seeking a total career change. I have completed a four-year maths degree and am excited about working in the built environment sector.
“My first placement is on site, then I’ll move to an estimating role within the commercial department. During 2026 I’ll be working across the Technical, Commercial, Health and Safety, Business Development and Production teams. For my final placement – starting in summer 2027 – I’ll be able to choose which department I work with. The huge variety and level of empowerment the Tara Group Early Talent Programme offers was very appealing and my main reason for applying. I feel very privileged to join a group with such a formidable 50-year track record.”
