Booking is now open for Open Doors 2025, run by Build UK in partnership with CITB and CSCS, which will see construction organisations across the country hosting pre-booked tours of their sites and other workplaces – including 11 throughout Greater Manchester – between 17 and 22 March to promote careers in construction to young people and those seeking a change of career.
It comes as the industry needs to recruit 50,000 new workers each year to meet demand for housing, infrastructure and maintenance, according to a Construction Skills Network report.
North West-based construction projects that are now taking bookings for tours include the £300 million expansion of the Etihad Stadium’s North Stand, which will include a 3000-capacity fan zone, a 400-bed hotel, a new club shop and a museum. Visitors who pre-book will be invited to a fourth-floor viewing platform to view the project.
Open Doors visitors can also get up close to work that is taking place to replace St Anne’s Road Bridge over the M67, or witness the opening stages of the construction of two new state-of-the-art history centres in Chester and Crewe.
Julie White, Chair of Build UK, said: “Open Doors brings to life an industry that offers a career for everyone – whether that is on site or behind the scenes in an office-based role.
“Never has this type of initiative been more important to help meet the Government’s commitment to ‘Get Britain Building’, after the Chancellor recently unveiled further plans for investment in the country’s infrastructure that firmly puts construction at the heart of kickstarting economic growth.
“While the tours themselves provide intriguing backdrops to explore the range of roles available, they are also a unique opportunity to talk to construction leaders and apprentices about their route into the industry.
“Nearly 90 per cent of visitors that attended an Open Doors event last year said they were more likely to consider a career in construction following their visit, so I’d urge everyone to book onto an event now and find out just what construction has to offer.”
For more information about Open Doors, and to book on to one of the free tours in the North West, visit opendoors.construction.