Allison Homes continues to invest in future talent with five new apprentices

Regional homebuilder Allison Homes has welcomed five new apprentices to its Central and East regions, as part of its ongoing commitment to developing future talent and addressing the skills shortage within the construction sector.

Allison Homes’ apprenticeship scheme launched in 2021 and has trained over 30 apprentices in various trades, such as carpentry and bricklaying.

As part of the scheme, the developer has formed close partnerships with several colleges, including University Academy Holbeach, Grantham College, City College Norwich and those within Inspire Education Group, such as Peterborough College and Stamford College, where the housebuilder is also a sponsor of the innovative Modern Methods of Construction Centre.

Earlier this year, Allison Homes hosted an apprentice selection day, where a group of 13 students were welcomed to the company’s Peterborough head office, to learn more about the construction industry and see if an apprenticeship was the right fit for them.

Following the event, five students were selected to join Allison Homes’ scheme, including Louis Courtier, Samuel Blyth and Braydon Webb from Peterborough College, Kian Bassett from City College Norwich and Taylor Barker from University Academy Holbeach. The five apprentices have now officially commenced their courses, with all of them except Taylor studying carpentry, whilst Taylor begins his studies to become a bricklayer.  

Under the scheme, the students will be able to work on active construction sites, shadow experienced tradespeople and learn skills that can’t easily be taught in a classroom.  

To welcome the new cohort, Allison Homes hosted an apprentice induction day for the students to meet with Build Director, Michele Raucci, Construction Manager, Graeme Atkins and Trainee Site Manager, Leland Moore, a former Allison Homes apprentice who completed his course in 2024 and rejoined the company earlier this year.

During the induction day, Michele explained Allison Homes’ values and health and safety protocols, and taught the apprentices about their new roles and responsibilities. Graeme went through what the students can expect from their apprenticeship and prepared them for working on site, with Group Health and Safety Manager, Simon Fraser also taking part. At the end of the session, each apprentice was given their own set of tools and required PPE.  

The day was organised and attended by Helen Jones, HR Systems Manager and Steph Dunbar, Construction Administrator, who will support the apprentices throughout their courses. Helen liaises with the colleges and oversees the students’ progress and wellbeing, to ensure each apprentice gets the most out of their training.

Louis, Samuel and Braydon will now spend time at Allison Homes’ Cambridgeshire developments, including Violet Meadows in Whittlesey, Aversley Grange in Sawtry and Upwell Meadows in March, an affordable housing scheme being delivered for Accent Housing. Kian will be based at The Oaks development in Norwich and Taylor at Beaufort Gardens in Market Deeping.

Michele Raucci, Build Director at Allison Homes Central, said: “Our apprenticeship scheme is a huge point of pride for us at Allison Homes, as apprentices are not just the future of our company, but the construction sector as a whole. It comes down to us to teach young people essential skills, pass down our knowledge and help them begin fulfilling careers, all whilst helping to combat the skills shortage within our industry.

“We’ve experienced great success over the years, with Leland returning to us as a Trainee Site Manager and two of our former apprentices, Jacob Kelk and Leoni McDougall, winning Construction Apprentice of the Year at the Peterborough Telegraph Apprenticeship Awards in 2024 and 2026. We have every faith that our five new apprentices will achieve their own personal successes and grow into talented tradespeople, and we look forward to supporting them at every avenue.”

James Whybrow, Vice Principal of Apprenticeships and Higher Education at Inspire Education Group, said: “We are delighted to see all five new apprentices begin their journeys with Allison Homes, and we are especially proud to have Louis, Samuel, and Braydon representing Peterborough College in this new cohort. Our ongoing partnership with Allison Homes is immensely valuable, it bridges the gap between classroom learning and hands-on site experience, giving learners the confidence, practical skills, and backing to build long-term careers.

“It is fantastic to see an employer so committed to nurturing future talent across our region. Partnerships like ours are essential for tackling the construction skills gap and giving young people real-world experience on active developments. We wish Louis, Samuel, Braydon, Kian, and Taylor every success as they embark on their training, and we look forward to watching all five thrive as they develop.”

Allison Homes’ Central and East regions are currently delivering new homes across Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire and Norfolk. To learn more, visit https://allison-homes.co.uk/developments/.

For more information on Inspire Education Group, visit https://www.ieg.ac.uk/.