12 Sep 2009

Lakehouse found its way into the Sunday Times on 13 September. An article by Steve Hemsley, focusing on careers in construction and entitled  Solid Foundations, included the following piece on Lakehouse:

Construction business Lakehouse is on a mission to shatter the stereotype that the building trade is just about 'white van man'. The company, based in Romford, Essex, employs more than 200 staff, and has visited 101 schools since 2005 to talk to youngsters about careers in construction.

"Children talk about law, finance, medicine or starting their own business, but have little idea of the opportunities in construction," says Jonathan Brookes, Lakehouse's Corporate Social Responsibility Manager. "We run a two-day Regeneration Challenge, for example, where we take children from one school around regeneration sites and they put their own renewal plans together."

Since 2005, 29 trainees have been recruited by Lakehouse as a result of its education and community programme. Staff are encouraged to visit schools and Brookes says 86% of employees have learnt a new skill by being involved. He adds that its involvement with education has helped the company win both refurbishment and new-build contracts. Despite the recession, it has seen a 68% rise in education construction projects this year. He said "Local authorities like to see suppliers adding value, and we keep head teachers on side by engaging with pupils."