Growing up in Albania, brothers Jet and Sutkjan Vejseli were no strangers to hard work. Long before they stepped onto construction sites, they were learning the value of earning a living.
As young boys, Jet, then just 13, and Sutkjan, only 8, spent weekends helping at local markets, selling goods, doing chores and balancing school with family responsibilities. Those early experiences laid the foundations for a work ethic that continues to define them today.
When Jet moved to the UK over 25 years ago to build a career in construction, he was determined to create opportunities not only for himself but also for his younger brother. Years later, once Sutkjan had finished school and was old enough to make the move, he followed in Jet’s footsteps.
Today, both brothers work for ECL, where their shared commitment to hard work and professionalism has strengthened both their careers and their relationship.
Jet has been with ECL for nine years and now works as a Site Manager, overseeing projects and leading teams. Sutkjan joined the business almost two years ago after previously working as a steel fixer in Manchester. Looking for a fresh challenge and encouraged by his older brother, he made the move south to join ECL.
“He came in as a groundworker and has built himself up,” says Jet. “He’s gained his dumper and roller tickets, and he’s just passed his SSSTS qualification. I’m now starting to give him more experience on site, and hopefully he’ll begin running his own jobs in the future.”
For Jet, seeing his younger brother progress through the ranks is a source of real pride.
Working alongside a sibling could easily blur the lines between family and business, but for the Vejseli brothers, mutual respect makes the partnership work.
“It’s a good relationship,” says Jet. “But when we’re at work, business is business.”
As Site Manager, Jet holds his brother to the same standards as everyone else, sometimes even higher.
“I don’t want people thinking he’s getting special treatment because he’s my brother. Everybody is equal to me on site.”
The pair have developed a clear understanding that any tough conversations stay firmly at work.
“Once four o’clock comes, we’re brothers again. We’ll go for a barbecue, have dinner together or watch football with the family. Nothing gets carried over.”
That ability to separate professional expectations from personal relationships has only strengthened the trust between them.
“He doesn’t hold grudges,” says Jet. “He understands that work is work.”
Jet describes Sutkjan as calm, approachable and well-liked by both colleagues and clients.
“He’s polite, easy to talk to and gets on with everyone.”
While Jet admits their personalities are very different, he believes those differences complement one another.
“I’m probably the louder one,” he jokes. “If something needs sorting, I’ll deal with it straight away. He’s much calmer and thinks things through.”
The move to work together has also brought their families closer. After years of living in different parts of the country, the brothers now spend much of their free time together with their wives and children.
“We have barbecues, dinners and football nights. It’s nice being close again.”
Recently, the family gathered to celebrate another milestone together, Sutkjan’s gender reveal party, where they discovered he and his wife are expecting their third son.
“When he lived in Manchester, it was difficult. Every family event meant hours of travelling. Now we’re nearby, we can spend real time together, and the cousins are growing up together too.”
STRONG FOUNDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE
For Jet, one of the greatest rewards is seeing his younger brother enjoying the same industry that has given him a successful career.
“It seems like he really likes construction,” he says. “That’s what you want. If you’re going to build a career, you’ve got to keep learning and climbing the ladder.”
With ECL supporting Sutkjan’s development through training and qualifications, that journey is already well underway.
