Lakehouse volunteers showed their support for Construction Future Skills 2009, held from 8-9 July 2009 at the National Construction College in East London. The high profile two day programme is sponsored by the London Development Agency and offers post 16 unemployed people the opportunity to develop their skills and gain hands on experience in construction.

Forty young people from across the spectrum (including girls and high achievers) were split into four teams and set a challenge to build a scaffolding bridge across a 'river'. On day one representatives from the University of East London were on hand to help out with the surveying aspect and each team was tasked with marking out 9 bases and adding formwork and steel reinforcement prior to pouring concrete to make 9 firm footings for the bridge. Day two involved the erection of a 15 foot by 9 foot scaffolding structure.

The competition was based around making a profit and there were fines for health and safety violations and incorrect building methods. The teams also incurred 'costs' whenever they needed to be referred to the 'consultants' available.

Lakehouse volunteers acted as mentors to one of the teams, donated PPE for the event and offered 5 young people a two week work placement at one of its construction sites. Davey Holland from Canning Town was placed with a team at a Newham Homes site, where Lakehouse is undertaking kitchen and bathroom improvement works. Davey said "I enjoyed the two day course and met lots of interesting people. It was a nice surprise when Lakehouse offered me work experience and I am grateful for the opportunity to work on a major construction project and see if it's something I would like to do full time."

• Building bridges with post 16 unemployed Londoners
• Lakehouse shows support at CIH's Worklessness and Homelessness Seminar
• 'Women in Construction' initiative results in job opportunity for Camden woman
• Lakehouse's apprenticeship scheme is helping young people in Camden to build a career in construction
• Local labour initiative in Camden attracts new recruit
• Lakehouse & Discover host cultural awareness workshop
• Lakehouse hosts interactive learning workshops at Camden Carousel event
• Lakehouse provides opportunity for Shell Step Scheme undergraduate
• Capital Xperience with the Construction Youth Trust
• Construction Careers in Action - Greenwich Heritage Centre
• Trident Scheme
• Train to Gain
• Construct Your Career