18 March 2024
Julie White, the managing director of D-Drill & Sawing, the chair of Build UK and the industry’s representative on Government’s Small Business Council, visited 19 Cornwall Street, in Birmingham to launch Open Doors 2024 and take people behind the scenes of construction projects across the country to showcase the fantastic range of careers available in the industry.
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.
Julie was joined by members of the public and local university students for a sneak peek at the transformation of the 139,000 sq ft building by Willmott Dixon Interiors in partnership with Kier Property.
The redevelopment is seeing the creation of a net zero, smart-enabled office building with a central atrium, interactive breakout areas and a planted, communal roof terrace, 150-space car park with electric vehicle charging points, a multi-functional studio, 74 cycle spaces and changing rooms.
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.”
Further events are being held throughout the week. For more information, click here
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