13 January 2025
Julie White urges the public to take another look at construction
A leading figure in construction – who has been committed to bringing through the next generation of staff for nearly two decades – is urging people to take another look at the industry.
Julie White is the managing director of D-Drill & Sawing, which has offices across the UK providing diamond drilling and concrete sawing as well as other services to the sector.
Julie is also the chair of Build UK which will be running Open Doors again in March where construction sites and workplaces will be opening up to the public.
It’s an opportunity for young people and those looking for a change of career to see behind the scenes and find out the full range of careers on offer in construction.
There are already over 170 events planned all over the UK during Open Doors, which takes place from March 17 to March 22.
Julie said the week of activities would inspire more people to break into construction.
She said: “Open Doors is one of my favourite weeks of the year because it brings together my two passions – our fantastic industry and bringing through the next generation of workers into construction.
“Over the past 15 to 20 years, I’ve made it my mission to ensure that D-Drill & Sawing gives young people an opportunity through apprenticeships and it has paid off, not just for us as a business but for construction more generally.
“The vast majority of our workforce has been through an apprenticeship. The bulk of our management team started with us as apprentices and have gone through a range of training to continually upskill them.
“So, we know that it works and we need more and more people to come into the industry if we are going to meet current and future demands.
“That’s why I am encouraging everyone to book onto an Open Doors event. It’s not just working on site, there are countless careers in construction that we need to open people’s eyes to.
“Students, careers advisers, parents and those looking for a change can come and experience what construction looks like in the real world.
“We’re an industry that provides all of the new houses, work spaces and infrastructure that are crucial to daily life and everyone who works in construction can have a sense of pride in that.”
For more information or to book onto an event go to Open Doors
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