How an unexpected path to a career in construction lead to becoming Apprentice of the Year
Had it not been for a broken foot and being unable to work as a pub waitress, Ellie Mason wouldn’t have found her way to working for Westcountry housebuilder Cavanna Homes, and subsequently, named as its Apprentice of the Year.
Ellie, who is 20, joined Cavanna Homes as a technical apprentice in October 2023 after she’d made the difficult decision a year before to leave her sixth form where she was studying for her A-Levels.
She explained: “Because of the pandemic, all my lessons were from home which I found tough. I really enjoyed science and was looking forward to the practical work in biology, but because of remote learning, there was none.”
Ellie took a full-time job as a pub waitress and worked her way up to a supervisor, but when she dropped a beer barrel, causing a broken foot, she was forced to stop and take time off to recover.
“Whilst I was at home resting, I realised I wanted to do something entirely different and spent a lot of time researching new career opportunities.
“I saw the Technical Apprenticeship at Cavanna Homes on Indeed and knew instantly that it was for me. I’d always been interested in construction and particularly liked the sound of reviewing and signing off on the architectural and engineering drawings of the houses. I knew of Cavanna Homes and their longstanding history in Torquay, so I applied.
“The job also meant I could earn money whilst working towards gaining a qualification – something that was important to me because I didn’t complete my A-Levels. It was fate!”
Since joining Cavanna Homes, Ellie says she’s found her feet and loves experiencing everything housebuilding has to offer, especially the role of the technical team. From meetings with archaeologists, to helping decide what new and sustainable materials should be used for the homes, Ellie said, “every day is so different, and construction is such a fascinating industry to work in. I never realised jobs like mine existed.”
When she’s not on-site, liaising with consultants or keeping up to speed with changing building regulations, she’s at Exeter College for the theory side of her apprenticeship. The course consists of classroom learning, assignments and exams, including a 12-hour exam which Ellie will complete over a period of three days in March.
She explained, “we will receive a brief on the first day of the exam, which could be something like ‘design a drive-through coffee shop’ and will need to consider measurements of the drive through and the space inside the coffee shop for the equipment and staff, as well as the provision of parking.” During the exam she’ll complete lined drawings, as well as a 3D model using Sketch-Up, software she’s learnt how to use through the apprenticeship.
Ellie credits the technical team at Cavanna Homes which is headed by Paul McGuire for encouraging her out of her comfort zone and helping her succeed. “Paul and the team are so supportive and not only help me with my day-to-day work, they help with my assignments too.
“Matt Fidler has taken me under his wing and taught me everything I know – my goal is to become a technical project manager like him.”
Matt added: “Ellie is a credit to our team and is a joy to work with. She’s enthusiastic, eager to learn and is incredibly hard working – balancing the day-to-day job with her apprenticeship coursework is a lot to juggle, but she handles it very well. 
But perhaps Ellie’s biggest achievement to date is being named the firm’s Apprentice of the Year at its 2024 awards presentation. She said, “It was a complete shock and totally unexpected, I didn’t know there was an award for Apprentice of the Year. It was amazing to be recognised for my hard work, dedication and also for my good banter!”
“I am very proud of myself for what I have achieved, so much so that I’ve taken my parents to one of our sites in Exeter on the weekend so I can show them what I’ve been working on. Neither of them work in construction, so I really enjoy telling them what I’ve learnt and the technicalities of my job.”
Ellie’s apprenticeship will finish in June 2025, at which point she hopes to stay with Cavanna Homes. “It’s a fantastic company and the family ethos shines through. We are proud of the homes we provide for people and the new communities we build.
“The apprenticeship course has been excellent, and I am passionate about all things technical! I would encourage young people – especially women – to explore the various careers in construction. It’s exciting and there is so much variety, no day is the same.”
Ellie’s words for anyone who might be looking for a new career or who might not be sure what they want to do are: “work hard, don’t be afraid and have faith.”
