National Apprenticeship Week 2026: Meet Alfie, our Marketing Apprentice
9 February 2026At Devonshire Homes, people are at the heart of everything we do. As a regional housebuilder, we are passionate about supporting skills development, creating opportunities and investing in the next generation of talent within the housebuilding and construction industry.
To mark National Apprenticeship Week 2026, we’re proud to highlight the important role apprenticeships play within our business and to shine a spotlight on one of our own apprentices.
Leaving full-time education can be a daunting step. After spending many years in the classroom, deciding what path to take next can feel overwhelming. While university and entering the world of work have traditionally been seen as the main options, apprenticeships are increasingly recognised as a valuable alternative offering hands-on experience, professional qualifications and the opportunity to earn while you learn. They can also be a positive route for those looking to change career or develop new skills later in life.
Apprenticeships continue to grow in popularity across the UK. During the 2024/2025 academic year, over 761,000 people participated in an apprenticeship, representing a 3.4% increase on the previous year. Within construction and planning, more than 25,500 people started an apprenticeship — highlighting the important role apprenticeships play in supporting careers in construction and housing (source: gov.uk).
In September 2024, we welcomed seventeen-year-old Alfie Coker to the Devonshire Homes team as a Marketing Apprentice. With previous experience in the property sector, Alfie was keen to build on his knowledge while gaining practical, on-the-job experience within a regional housebuilder.
For National Apprenticeship Week 2026, we caught up with Alfie to find out how his apprenticeship is going, why the experience has been invaluable and what advice he has for others considering this route.
Hi Alfie! Tell us a bit about your apprenticeship and why you chose housing and construction…
When I finished secondary school, I pursued A Levels as it felt like the ‘done thing’ despite discussing apprenticeships with a careers advisor at the time. I completed my AS Levels, but I knew quite early on that I wasn’t getting what I wanted out of sitting in a classroom so I applied to Exeter College’s Multi-Channel Marketer Apprenticeship. It was then up to me to find an employer.
At the time, I was working part-time for an estate agency which I really enjoyed so I was keen to find an apprenticeship in the property sector. Then, while looking into local businesses, I saw that Devonshire Homes was looking for a Marketing Assistant. Being local, Devonshire Homes was a familiar name and I knew they were a housebuilder with a solid reputation. It also felt quite a natural transition into new homes with my foundational knowledge, so I took a chance and explained my situation. I was then employed to fill that role as an apprentice.
I’m currently working towards what’s known as the ‘final project’ and am on track to finish my course by March 2026. Once I’ve completed this and attended an interview with an assessor from City & Guilds, I’ll have a Level 3 Multi-Channel Marketer diploma.
The course consists of two main elements. The first is KSBs (Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours), which are evidenced through a written portfolio of activities and campaigns I’m involved with throughout my role. The second is off-the-job learning, which is a set amount of training hours to support my professional development; for my course this totals 454 hours.
What are the benefits of an apprenticeship and why would you recommend an apprenticeship to others?
Further education highlighted to me the value in learning by doing rather than just being taught. At Devonshire Homes, we have a really diverse team across lots of specialisms so I’ve gained experience quickly by learning from my colleagues. The combination of this direct experience, building connections, and earning while you learn make an apprenticeship a no-brainer. For businesses too, they’re a great opportunity to expand your team or upskill current employees.
What do you feel you have learnt from being part of the Devonshire Homes team?
I’ve definitely developed a deeper understanding of the approaches we take and why we do what we do in the marketing team. I’ve also built a better knowledge of branding, and how we uphold the Devonshire Homes identity.
In an industry that’s ever-changing like construction, learning from professionals is invaluable because they’re at the forefront of it. I’ve always found that I learn better when I’m interested - so whether I spend the day at my desk or on site in full PPE, I’d choose this over sitting in a classroom! I like having my own responsibilities and seeing the impact of my work is always rewarding.
Has there been a stand-out task at Devonshire Homes that has boosted your confidence and what challenges have you faced?
Events are always something to be proud of. Whether it’s a VIP launch, public consultation or a pop-up event for a new development, getting our name out there and engaging with communities is exciting. There have been lots of opportunities to boost my confidence in meeting potential customers and people in industry.
The challenges for me have changed over time. I remember starting my apprenticeship and for the first few months being really intimidated by the criteria I had to evidence for my course. Now, I don’t think twice about doing those things. As I’ve developed within my role there are new challenges that stump me but I’m not afraid to ask questions.
What advice would you give others considering an apprenticeship?
Explore your options! It can feel like classroom-based learning is expected, or that you’ve missed your chance to change vocation, but apprenticeships are a good choice whether you’re starting a career, upskilling or changing sector entirely. For entering construction in particular, they’re a great route into the industry.
We’re delighted to have supported Alfie’s development, and we’re pleased to share that he will be continuing his journey with us as a Marketing Assistant upon the completion of his apprenticeship.
If you are interested in a career at Devonshire Homes, please keep an eye on our Careers page or our LinkedIn page where we post current vacancies.