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Get Involved with Open Doors 2024

Open Doors takes your learners behind the scenes to showcase the fantastic range of careers available in construction – hundreds of events will be available by March 2024. All types of construction sites, as well as training and manufacturing facilities, depots, offices, virtual reality and online events will be on offer to showcase roles across the sector.

The event, which partners with the Careers & Enterprise Company, the Department for Work & Pensions and Skills Development Scotland, is an exclusive opportunity to experience construction workplaces and see the range of 180+ different careers in action. Visitors will not only gain an exclusive insight into the sector but will leave inspired to consider construction careers going forwards.  Open Doors allows you to satisfy the Gatsby Benchmarks and is an excellent addition to your annual programme of careers activities.

 

Next Steps

If you are interested in organising an Open Doors visit, use the interactive map to locate events in your area, then contact them directly to request advance group booking or further information.  Sites will continue to be added until March 2024, so please check back regularly for new additions near you.

Once you have found an available site, the site team will be able to provide you with a Visit Brief and Risk Assessment to assist in making your case for the visit.  The Visit Brief details which of the Gatsby Benchmarks it will meet, and the site team will work with you to arrange the finer details for the tour.

Frequently Asked Questions

Visiting

When does Open Doors take place?

Open Doors will take place from Monday 18 – Saturday 23 March 2024.  View our Countdown to Open Doors 2024 for further information and to see the upcoming dates for your diaries.

What happened at the last Open Doors event?

Open Doors took place from 13 – 18 March 2023 and you can see more in our Gallery.  You can also learn about the impact of the event in our Review.

How much does it cost?

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.

What can I do if there are no sites nearby?

If a suitable site does not appear on our map by November 2023, 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.

Do we need to wear anything special?

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.

What will happen during my site visit?

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.

How long will the visit last?

This will vary and estimated durations can be found on each site profile.

Can we attend more than one site?

Yes absolutely! Just remember you will need to book each site individually and provide all the requested details separately (e.g. shoe sizes), as the sites will likely be hosted by different companies.

Can large groups attend?

Whilst we encourage groups of all sizes, some sites may be operating under restrictions that mean they are not able to host larger groups. Please check the individual site profile for further details and remember that the earlier you book, the easier it will be to accommodate you!

Can children attend?

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.

Can we walk around alone?

No, we’re afraid not. You will have to stay with the chaperone you are allocated at all times.

Bookings

How do I book a site visit?

If you need to pre-book prior to 8 January 2024, please contact the site host directly through their site profile to request your preferred date.  When making contact please be clear that you need to make a pre-booking for an educational group, as the pre-booking option is only available in this circumstance due to the significant planning required.

From 8 January 2024, you will need to log in to your account to book an Open Doors visit. Your account will be created when you make your first booking. You can then use the same account to book additional visits.

If possible, you should have the shoe and personal protective equipment (PPE) sizes handy for the people in your group. These can be amended or added later if necessary, and not all sites will require visitors to wear protective clothing.

How do I create an account on the Open Doors website?

Your account will be created when you first book a visit to an Open Doors site. You can then use the same account to book other visits.

Why book a group visit?

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 site will allow you all to see what goes on behind the scenes and learn about the fantastic range of careers available in construction.  Individual sites can be contacted to provide a Visit Brief and Risk Assessment to help you make the case to host the visit.

How do I book a group visit?

If you are asking to book a group prior to 8 January 2024, please liaise directly with the site host through their site profile in the first instance, as the general booking function will be disabled until this date.

From 8 January 2024, when making your booking, you can select the ‘Group Booking’ option and enter the details for each person who will be in your group, including their shoe and protective clothing sizes. You can return to complete the sizes later if necessary.

Accessibility

Can I bring SEND learners?

Whilst we aim to be able to host all SEND learners, this will depend on the site in question. Each site will clearly outline its accessibility and you can contact the sites directly through their site profiles if you need further information or provisions for your group.

Health & Safety

Will the sites be safe?

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. Sites can provide a Risk Assessment in advance of your visit if required.

Other

Can you provide me with further information to help get the visit approved?

We provide our site hosts with templates for Visit Briefs and Risk Assessments, which you can request directly through their site 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.

What can construction offer my students?

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.

Where can I find more information on careers in construction?

Our Careers page features lots of useful information on construction industry roles and how to get into them.

What if I have further questions?

For general questions relating to Open Doors please email our team via info@opendoors.construction. For information on visiting specific sites please make direct contact through each site’s profile.