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Community Involvement

Lakehouse Champions 14 - 16 Diploma at Havering schools event

On 2 February Lakehouse joined the London Borough of Havering, representing schools and over 130 parents, for an event at Langton's Hall, Hornchurch, a stone's throw from Lakehouse's headquarters in Romford. As a member of the Diploma Employer Champions Network, Lakehouse is enthusiastic about promoting the benefits of the 14 - 19 Diploma to fellow employers and the local community. We have previously assisted in the design and delivery of the Diploma in Newham, Kent and Richmond.

Celestine Ekpenyong, a member of Lakehouse's bid team, was invited as keynote speaker to deliver a presentation outlining the challenges we face to improve business performance, by ensuring we have a workforce with the right skills and attitude. He explained how the partnership of employers and education providers is shaping the employability skills of young people and providing them with a career head start. One of the benefits for students who opt to study for the Diploma is a guarantee of at least ten days' work experience. The Diplomas also meet employers' needs, because through the partnership approach, employers are involved in their development and delivery.

The event provided a good opportunity for Lakehouse to support the local community, encouraging involvement from others to help young people broaden their horizons and increase their employability. Celestine was glad of the opportunity to raise his profile and gain personal development outside his usual work remit, and pleasantly surprised to see Lakehouse site manager Colin Ward and his family in the audience. Colin's daughter is a pupil at Chafford School, in Rainham, and the family had received an invitation from the school to find out more about the new Diploma.