The UK construction industry is gearing up to open its doors to the public for workplace tours as it strives to recruit 50,000 workers a year over the next five years.

New workers are needed to meet rising demand for new homes and infrastructure, and the leading representative body for the sector, Build UK, and major contractor and property developer Canary Wharf Group (CWG) recently hosted a behind-the-scenes tour of Wood Wharf in London to showcase careers in construction to local students.

It was an exclusive preview for Open Doors 2025, which will be delivered by Build UK between 17 and 22 March 2025 and see organisations across the UK hosting tours of their sites and workplaces to inspire young people and those seeking a career change to choose construction.

Open Doors engaged with over 5,000 potential new entrants across 220 sites in March 2024, and Julie White, Chair of Build UK, is hoping to emulate that feat in 2025.

Julie said: “Seeing people experience a construction project or workplace for the first time and hearing the words “wow I never knew this role existed” is why we run Open Doors.

“As an industry we needed tens of thousands of new recruits before the Government announced its new target to build 1.5 million new homes, and so it’s more important than ever that we are showcasing the wide range of career opportunities available across the supply chain.

“There is a career for everyone in construction, whatever their background, skills or interests, and planting the seed in people’s minds now is crucial – especially for school, college and university leavers who, if they catch the construction bug, could be working in the industry in a few months’ time.”

The tour hosted earlier this month for students at the 23-acre Wood Wharf development offered a unique insight into the project, which when complete will boast more than 2 million sq ft of office space, 3,600 new homes and 550,000 sq ft of shops, restaurants and public spaces to transform the local community.

Speaking on its partnership with Open Doors, Alec Vallintine, Managing Director, Construction at CWG, commented: “CWG is committed to creating positive change through shared social purpose, focused on Education, Employment and Skills. Open Doors allows us to tap into local talent currently in education who are considering their next steps, giving them exclusive access to our sites and our people, and showcasing a world of opportunity within our sector.”

Booking for Open Doors events will open on 13 January 2025, and interested individuals can find out more details about events local to them by visiting https://opendoors.construction/.