Welcoming young people to visit construction sites can lead a lasting positive impact and inspire them into the industry. This week, we took part in Open Doors in partnership with Kier Property, to provide insights to young people on what goes on behind the scenes of a live construction site.
We’re currently on site at 19 Cornwall Street in Birmingham, transforming the 139,000 sq ft building into an exemplar net zero carbon in operation, smart-enabled office building for Kier Property. The redevelopment is seeing the creation of a central atrium, interactive breakout areas and a planted, communal roof terrace. There will also be a 150-space car park with electric vehicle charging points, a multi-functional studio, 74 cycle spaces and changing rooms.
Open Doors is a week-long event delivered by Build UK, which enables people to visit construction sites and workplaces across Great Britain and see the range of careers available in the industry.
Not only were we joined by fantastic groups of students and the public throughout the week, we were also pleased to welcome Julie White, the chair of Build UK, the managing director of D-Drill & Sawing, and the industry’s representative on Government’s Small Business Council, to 19 Cornwall Street.
Julie said: “I was thrilled to be in Birmingham on the first day of Open Doors 2024 and I am proud to be supporting such an incredible initiative.
“For many years, I have been talking about what a wonderful industry construction is and what amazing career opportunities it offers, and there is no better way to do that than by letting people see it in action.
“Through Open Doors, we actually get to show people what goes into the construction of a new building or piece of infrastructure and the difference that it makes economically and socially.
“As an industry, we need 50,000 new recruits a year and, by showing the thousands of people who have signed up for Open Doors what we do, we can make a real difference and demonstrate that there is a career in construction for everyone, whatever their skills and interests.”
Jayne Anderson, Social Value Manager at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “We are proud to be a partner of Open Doors. It is a terrific initiative that enables a whole new generation to learn more about construction and the positive difference it can have on people’s lives. We hope that everyone who visited 19 Cornwall Street gained an insight into the many career opportunities the sector has to offer.”
Tom Gidlow, Employability Tutor at University College Birmingham, added: “As good as classroom education can be, it can never be an adequate replacement for going out and seeing the theory becoming a practical experience. For our students, it is about believing and seeing themselves in a place of work and seeing what their achievements can lead to.”
To find out more about how we work with students and young people to inspire them into the world of construction, click here.