Bellway has hosted more than 30 students at its Flowers Hill Grange development in Brislington to provide a firsthand look at the housebuilding sector. The event, aimed at inspiring the next generation of construction professionals, welcomed pupils from Bristol Metropolitan Academy, Oasis Academy Temple Quarter, and Winterbourne Academy.

A parallel event was also held at Bellway's Rowden Chase development in Chippenham, which was attended by students from Wiltshire College & University Centre.

Organised in collaboration with The School Outreach Company, the events allowed students to explore the industry through three dedicated "zones":

• Site Office & Technical: Students learned about land acquisition, planning, and site management, followed by a tour of homes at various stages of construction.

-- Advertisement --

• Trade Skills: A hands-on bricklaying masterclass provided practical experience in the craft.

• Sales & Customer Care: An introduction to the commercial side of the business, focusing on sales and supporting homeowners.

Maria Mason, Account Director at The School Outreach Company, emphasised the importance of inclusivity: "Our goal is to ensure all students, no matter what their socio-economic background, ethnic group or gender, have access to equal opportunities. The feedback I have had... is that it has motivated and inspired the young people and improved their confidence."

The housebuilding industry continues to face a significant skills gap, making outreach initiatives vital for future housing delivery. According to recent industry data, the UK construction sector needs to recruit thousands of new workers annually to meet government housing targets.

Rachel Way, Senior Sales Manager at Bellway South West, said: "It's essential that we attract more young people to take on jobs in the housebuilding industry if the country is to deliver the thousands of new homes that are needed to meet demand in the coming years.

"From office-based positions to on-site construction roles, there is a huge amount of variety in this industry and it was great to share this with the young people who visited our developments in Bristol and Chippenham."

The School Outreach Company has been working with Bellway for three years, aiming to bridge the gap between education and employment by introducing students to professionals outside their immediate communities.