A TRAINEE assistant site manager at a Basingstoke housebuilder returned to her former school to encourage young people to join the construction industry and deliver the homes that Hampshire needs.

Amanda McCuloch, 26, who works at Bovis Homes’ Nightingale View location in Priestley Road, was part of a team of construction ambassadors from the housebuilder who visited Henry Beaufort School in Winchester.

The Bovis Homes group, which included specialists in sales, marketing and build, talked to parents and pupils about the opportunities available, how to get into the sector and the skills required.

Amanda, from Sutton Scotney, said: “It was great to be back at school to introduce construction to pupils. They were asking all about apprenticeships, other routes into the industry and what qualifications they need.

“It was fantastic to see a good mix of male and female pupils asking us about the industry and there were a lot more students than parents too, which was a great sign. My former teachers who were there were very impressed with what we were doing too.”

The construction ambassadors, who have participated in a Construction Industry Training Board programme, attend career events in places such as schools and prisons.

Alix Laflin, marketing assistant at Bovis Homes, said more construction ambassadors were needed to help those from all backgrounds enter the industry.