Local apprentice represents South West talent at Westminster event

A South West apprentice has visited the Houses of Parliament to represent the next generation of talent entering the housebuilding industry and champion greater opportunities for women in construction.

Ellie Mason, 22, from the technical team at Cavanna Homes, travelled to Westminster to attend the Parliamentary Skills Reception hosted by the Home Builders Federation on 11 March.

The event brought together around 150 apprentices, trainees and graduates from housebuilders across the country, alongside MPs and industry leaders, to highlight the importance of developing new skills within the sector and encouraging more people into the industry.

For Ellie, the experience was also an opportunity to support efforts to attract more women into housebuilding, where women remain underrepresented.

She said: “One of the main themes of the event was encouraging more women into the industry, which is something I really support. There are so many opportunities and every day is different, which is one of the things I love most about the job.”

Ellie joined Cavanna Homes in October 2023 and has already made a strong impression, recently completing her Level 3 apprenticeship and now progressing to a Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Site Supervision.

Now working in the company’s technical department, Ellie’s studies allow her to understand both sides of the build process.

She said: “It’s really interesting because I get to see different parts of the business. Working in technical means I can help bridge the gap between the office and what’s happening on site.”

During her visit to Westminster, Ellie met apprentices from housebuilders across the UK and heard from industry leaders about the future of the sector. She attended the reception with support from Cavanna Homes’ Head of Technical, Paul McGuire.

She said: “It was a great experience. There were apprentices from lots of different housebuilders and it was really interesting hearing about the different paths people had taken into the industry.

“We also got to look around parts of the Houses of Parliament that you wouldn’t normally see, which was fascinating.”

During the event Ellie also met her local MP, Steve Darling.

Ellie’s journey into housebuilding came about unexpectedly. While working in a pub, she broke her foot and was forced to take time away from work. The experience prompted her to rethink her future and consider a career with greater long-term opportunities, ultimately leading her to apply for an apprenticeship in the home building industry.

Cavanna Homes says it is committed to supporting apprenticeships and early career development, helping train the next generation of professionals who will play a key role in delivering high-quality homes and communities across the South West.