An apprentice from Cavanna Homes has visited the Houses of Parliament to represent the next generation of talent entering the UK homebuilding industry and highlight the growing importance of apprenticeships in tackling skills shortages.
Ellie Mason, 22, who works in the technical team at the South West housebuilder, attended the Home Builders Federation Parliamentary Skills Reception on 11 March. The event, organised by the Home Builders Federation, brought together around 150 apprentices, trainees and graduates from housebuilders across the UK, alongside MPs and industry leaders, to showcase the role that training and apprenticeships play in building the workforce of the future.
For Mason, the event also offered a platform to champion greater opportunities for women in construction, a sector where women remain significantly underrepresented.
She said one of the key themes of the reception was encouraging more women to pursue careers in the industry.
“There are so many opportunities and every day is different, which is one of the things I love most about the job,” she said.
Mason joined Cavanna Homes as an apprentice in October 2023 and has already progressed quickly through the company’s training pathway. After completing her Level 3 apprenticeship, she is now studying towards a Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Site Supervision while working within the company’s technical department.
In her role as an apprentice, Mason can gain insight into both the planning and delivery sides of the construction process.
“It’s really interesting because I get to see different parts of the business,” she said. “Working in technical means I can help bridge the gap between the office and what’s happening on site.”
The Parliamentary reception gave apprentices the chance to connect with peers from across the country and hear from industry leaders about the future of homebuilding and the importance of investing in new talent.
Mason described the experience as both inspiring and eye-opening.
“There were apprentices from lots of different housebuilders and it was really interesting hearing about the different paths people had taken into the industry,” she said.
The visit also offered a rare opportunity to explore parts of Parliament not normally accessible to the public.
“We also got to look around parts of the Houses of Parliament that you wouldn’t normally see, which was fascinating,” she added.
During the event, Mason also met her local MP, Steve Darling, where discussions highlighted the role apprenticeships play in developing the skilled workforce needed to support the UK’s housing ambitions.
Her journey into the sector was not a conventional one. While working at a pub, Mason broke her foot and was forced to take time away from work. The unexpected pause prompted her to reassess her career direction and seek a role that offered greater long-term prospects.
That decision ultimately led her to apply for an apprenticeship with Cavanna Homes – a move that has since opened the door to a career in housebuilding and the chance to represent young professionals entering the industry.
For employers across the sector, stories like Mason’s underline the vital role apprenticeships play in attracting fresh talent, addressing skills shortages and ensuring the homebuilding industry has the workforce it needs for the future.
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