Businesses across the supply chain can help promote careers in construction and Build UK chair Julie White calls on everyone to open the doors to their projects, offices, factories and training facilities as part of Open Doors 2025
Here is my pitch to construction firms of all types and sizes to get involved with an industry initiative that can raise your profile as part of a collective effort to attract the next generation of talent into the sector.
Many of you will have heard of , Build UK鈥檚 nationwide initiative that is known for partnering with firms to open up construction sites. The aim is to let young people and those looking for a change of career take a peek behind the scenes and get curious about careers in the industry.
And it works. Last year more than 5,000 potential recruits took part in over 200 events with 88% of those attending saying they were more likely to consider a career in construction as a result.
Increasingly, participants are showcasing work at their offices, manufacturing facilities, training centres and more
What you might not know is that Open Doors is not just for sites. Increasingly, participants are showcasing work at their offices, manufacturing facilities, training centres and more.
There are hundreds of careers in construction involving design, management and engineering alongside traditional site roles. And we know that many businesses offering those careers will not have access to construction sites. That is not a limitation; it鈥檚 an opportunity. Often being in a more controlled environment, such as an office space, allows for more interactive experiences, which can open inquisitive minds to a whole range of possibilities.
By giving live demonstrations of our training, we could shine a light on our specialist sector within construction
I鈥檝e seen the benefits first-hand. The Drilling and Sawing Association, which I also chair, opened its headquarters for Open Doors 2024. By giving live demonstrations of our training, we could shine a light on our specialist sector within construction, enabling visitors to experience the different careers we offer and what our highly skilled workers can do.
>> Also read: Open Doors: inspiring school students with a site tour around Wood Wharf
The young people who came along were able to see the variety on offer to not only understand what is available in construction, but more crucially, to then start mapping out a career of how they are going to get there.
By making sure Open Doors includes a wide range of workplaces (look out for #NotJustForSites on social media), we can show young people and those looking for a change of career that there are opportunities available for everyone.
Here are just three examples of different ways organisations can get involved and showcase their work.
Sunbelt Rentals 鈥� Service Centre
The event at the equipment rental provider鈥檚 Chadderton base involved an interactive game to provide students with an understanding of how to effectively run a construction site, the types of roles and equipment needed, and how project teams plan effective completion of a project.
The students had to choose the roles they would include in the project and what their responsibilities were, the equipment they would need on site, and how they would secure, power and light the site.
The event was an excellent chance to engage with local students and provide them with insights into careers that they weren鈥檛 previously aware of, as well as provide support to the local community. By creating pipelines with local schools and colleges, the business has been able to encourage applications for its early careers opportunities.
Kier 鈥� Regional Office Hub
Kier welcomed students from Kettering Buccleuch Academy to its Rushden office, which is home to multiple teams including HR, recruitment, procurement, communications, safety and sustainability, for an interactive experience.
After an introduction to Kier highlighting the range of opportunities available, its former HR apprentices shared their personal career journeys, offering students relatable insights into the potential for growth at the company.
Students also toured the office, which highlighted wellbeing initiatives, including the 鈥渃olleague wall of appreciation鈥�, which showcased employee achievements.
To reinforce teamwork and problem-solving, students participated in a hands-on activity designed to encourage collaboration and communication.
Teachers commended the event as one of the most engaging company visits they鈥檇 experienced. Similar Open Doors events have led to lasting partnerships, such as with Hastings Job Centre and Fulham Cross Academy, where Kier now offers regular site visits and work experience placements. These connections strengthen its talent pipeline and increase interest in its roles, ultimately helping Kier to shift perceptions of construction and attract future talent.
CITB - National Construction College (NCC)
NCC provides training in areas where there is limited or no provision and Open Doors is a great opportunity to promote the scaffolding, steeplejack, plant operator, ground worker, and roof slater and tiler training available.
Events at NCC Norfolk showcase the courses, leisure facilities and support learners are given at the residential college, with expert instructors on hand to answer questions and the opportunity to try state-of-the-art plant simulators for a fully immersive experience.
CITB has partnered with Open Doors for 10 years and its NCCs in Norfolk, Kent and Scotland have welcomed hundreds of visitors through their doors to experience construction skills first-hand. In 2024-25, over 1,000 apprentices will be trained across the three sites and more than 11,000 commercial learners supported 鈥� a number of which have come via Open Doors.
Julie White is chair of Build UK. Open Doors 2025 is taking place between 17 and 22 March and firms have already started to register their events. is free for Build UK members. 黑洞社区 is media partner for Open Doors.
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