Pupils at Jackton Primary School in East Kilbride have taken part in Cala Homes' 'Land to Life' project, a curriculum-based schools programme aimed at teaching children between the ages of seven and 11 about the housebuilding industry. The initiative is part of Cala's Community Pledge, which brings bespoke benefits to the communities where the firm builds.
Industry Insights for Young Learners
Greg McNeish, assistant site manager at Cala Homes (West), visited the school to speak to pupils and help build grassroots awareness of how new homes are developed. He discussed the homebuilding industry, the variety of roles within the sector, and the creation of the nearby Cedar Brae development. Pupils viewed before-and-after images of developments and the masterplan to gain real insight into the new Jackton community.
The Land to Life programme supports a drive to cultivate early talent and transform perceptions of roles in housebuilding. Designed by Cala Homes in partnership with a specialist education consultant, participating schools receive a comprehensive suite of teachers' notes, lesson plans, interactive presentations, worksheets, and animated videos focusing on six key topics: design and technology, sustainability, planning, and marketing.
Engaging Young Minds
Greg McNeish said: "It was brilliant to be able to visit Jackton Primary School and speak to the pupils about Cala and the homebuilding sector as a whole. The pupils who were involved, were thoroughly engaged with the full lesson, asking inquisitive questions about different roles and the different types of career paths available." He added: "The visit shows that there is a real opportunity to harness the curiosity of young people and highlight how this sector can open doors for everyone."
Promoting Diversity and Early Talent
McNeish noted: "Land to Life helps to support our ambitions around early talent and diversity, opening young minds to the fact that our industry is about much more than bricks and mortar. This is an exciting and dynamic industry to be part of, with such varied career opportunities, but we all know it needs to be more diverse. We believe changing perceptions at a grassroots level is one of the ways we can improve this in the long-term."
About Cedar Brae Development
Cala's latest Jackton development, Cedar Brae, offers a collection of three-, four- and five-bedroom homes. The programme highlights various job roles within the industry, covering design and technology, sustainability, planning, and marketing.
