A former architecture student who swapped university for an engineering apprenticeship with Bellway has been highly commended in the housebuilder’s 2026 Apprentice of the Year Awards.

Ivenjit Bassi, 24, from Hounslow, is one of just four apprentices from across the country to be honoured by the company in this year’s awards.

She joined Bellway in September 2024 after deciding that a career in engineering – rather than a degree in architecture – was the right path for her.

Ivenjit said: “It is great to receive this commendation which goes to validate all the hard work I have put into my job. I have only been with Bellway for 18 months so to get this recognition is wonderful, a real boost to my confidence and shows that I am being appreciated and valued as a member of staff.”

As part of her six-year Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, Ivenjit will spend the first two years studying for a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in civil engineering, followed by a further four years to gain a degree in the same subject.

She works four days a week as part of the technical team in the Bellway North London headquarters in Ruislip, with one day a week set aside for studies with Teesside University.

“The apprenticeship format works very well for me because I tried university, then realised full-time studying did not suit me. There is no job guarantee and you could finish with a sizeable debt. This scheme gives me the security of a salary with a prestigious construction company where I am being paid to study and am learning on the job.

“Also, I was reading architecture but quite quickly came to the conclusion that I was more interested in engineering. I love problem-solving and working out details to ensure that things come together as they should.”

Ivenjit’s role involves focusing on the technical and regulatory aspects of housebuilding, ensuring that roads, sewers and related infrastructure for housing developments are built to council standards for adoption.

She said that Bellway has been very supportive of her career journey so far, including allowing her to transfer from the company’s Wessex division to its North London division – significantly improving her commute.

Ivenjit, who was a runner-up in the 2025 Young Builder of the Year Awards run by the charity YouthBuild UK, is keen to progress far in her chosen career.

She said: “Women are playing a much more prominent role in the construction industry and I want to go as high as I can – to engineering manager or even director – to help show that these days anything is possible. Bellway are providing me with a level playing field and I am confident that if I am totally committed to the role then I can achieve my goal.”

Ali Maruf, Managing Director of Bellway North London, said: “I would like to congratulate Ivenjit for receiving this much-deserved recognition in our annual Apprentice of the Year Awards.

“Ivenjit’s diligence and willingness to learn have come to the fore as she has proved herself to be a valuable and respected member of the technical team. She is exactly the sort of talented individual that our apprenticeship programme is designed to attract and to bring on board.

“As part of our commitment to being an Employer of Choice, we are determined to improve the gender balance of our workforce and to give more opportunities to women to pursue careers in the construction industry. With our help and support, we are confident Ivenjit can go on to have a successful and fulfilling career with Bellway.”

The winners of Bellway’s 2026 Apprentice of the Year Awards have been announced during National Apprenticeship Week (9 to 15 February).

The national housebuilder has also launched its 2026 apprenticeship programme, offering a variety of opportunities and including site-based construction roles such as bricklaying, joinery and groundworking. A total of 37 apprenticeships are being offered across England, Scotland and Wales, with candidates having until Friday 13 March to apply.

To find out more about the roles available, visit https://www.bellwaycareers.co.uk/our-programmes/apprenticeship-programme.