Open Doors takes your learners behind the scenes to showcase the fantastic range of careers available in construction. Hundreds of events recently participated in March 2024 across all types of construction sites, as well as training and manufacturing facilities, depots, offices and virtual reality.
The event, which partners with the Careers & Enterprise Company, the Department for Work & Pensions and Skills Development Scotland, was an exclusive opportunity to experience construction workplaces and see the range of 180+ different careers in action. Visitors gained an exclusive insight into the sector and left inspired to consider construction careers going forwards. Open Doors helps you to satisfy the Gatsby Benchmarks and is an excellent addition to your annual programme of careers activities.
Open Doors 2024 has now concluded, but you can find out more about the construction industry and what it has to offer by visiting our Careers page and checking out this short video showcasing the opportunities available within construction. Details on future events will be released shortly.
Open Doors took place from Monday 18 – Saturday 23 March 2024. Details on future events will be released shortly.
Open Doors took place from Monday 18 – Saturday 23 March 2024 and you can see more in our Gallery. You can also find out more about the impact of the event in our 2023 Review. A Review of the 2024 event will be published shortly.
All Open Doors visits are provided free of charge. Unfortunately we are unable to assist with additional costs involved e.g. travel, but if protective clothing is required the site will provide this for your group.
If a suitable site does not appear on our map, please contact us and we will ask our site hosts if they can open one local to you. If we cannot source a local site for you we may be able to arrange an online event or for a virtual reality experience to be brought to your location instead.
We would recommend sensible shoes and comfortable clothing, and it is always a good idea to bring some waterproof clothing as well just in case! Protective clothing (PPE) will be provided by the construction company hosting the site tour if required.
You will get the opportunity to see the project, office, or factory, meet the people who work in the industry and hear about their route into the industry. Many sites will require visitors to wear protective clothing (PPE), which will be provided. Some sites will also offer interactive experiences e.g. virtual reality, simulators or work tasters. Individual sites will provide information on what will be on offer on their site profiles, but you can contact them directly through their profile if you would like additional details.
If you have any specific requests or interests please mention them when booking and we will do our best to help to make them happen.
This will vary and estimated durations can be found on each event’s profile.
Yes absolutely! Just remember you will need to book each event individually and provide all the requested details separately (e.g. shoe sizes), as the locations will likely be hosted by different companies.
Whilst we encourage groups of all sizes, some events may be operating under restrictions that mean they are not able to host larger groups. Please check the individual event profile for further details and remember that the earlier you book, the easier it will be to accommodate you!
We are happy for international visitors to attend. However, please note that Open Doors’ main aim is to encourage new recruits into the British construction industry, and so places may be prioritised for resident visitors where demand exceeds supply. Please note that Open Doors cannot advise on or assist with work visa applications.
We actively encourage all sites to host children where possible. Details on whether children can attend, and any applicable age restrictions, will be available on each site profile, as this will differ from site to site. Please note if a site does allow children to visit, all vulnerable individuals including under 18s must be accompanied by a responsible adult. If under 18, they must also have parental or legal guardian consent.
Bookings are currently closed. Details on future events will be released shortly.
Group visits are ideal for schools and colleges who wish to bring multiple attendees to satisfy the Gatsby Benchmarks. A group visit to an Open Doors event will allow you all to see what goes on behind the scenes and learn about the fantastic range of careers available in construction. Individual event hosts can be contacted to provide a Visit Brief and Risk Assessment to help you make the case to host the visit.
Whilst we aim to be able to host all SEND learners, this will depend on the event in question. Each event will clearly outline its accessibility and you can contact the event hosts directly through their profiles if you need further information or provisions for your group.
Each site taking part in Open Doors has taken all steps to make sure your site visit will be safe and enjoyable. To ensure your own safety you should follow any guidance given on site. All events can provide a Risk Assessment in advance of your visit if required.
We provide our event hosts with templates for Visit Briefs and Risk Assessments, which you can request directly through their event profile. The Visit Brief will include the relevant Gatsby Benchmarks that the visit would satisfy.
Open Doors partners with the Careers & Enterprise Company, the Department for Work & Pensions, and Skills Development Scotland, which demonstrates their support for the event in terms of being a fantastic careers preview opportunity.
The construction industry can offer people from all different ages and backgrounds an exciting career. There is so much more to construction than just building, from design and engineering through project planning to the archaeological digs that take place. To find out more about the wide variety of construction careers, the qualifications you need and case studies on what it is really like, please visit the careers website Go Construct.
You can also check out our short video showcasing the opportunities available within the industry.
Our Careers page features lots of useful information on construction industry roles and how to get into them.
For general questions relating to Open Doors please email our team via info@opendoors.construction. For information on attending specific events please make direct contact through each event’s profile.