The construction industry is preparing to welcome thousands of visitors as Open Doors 2026 officially opens for bookings. Scheduled to run from Monday 23 to Saturday 28 March, the initiative aims to inspire a new generation of talent by offering a rare look into the diverse world of modern construction.

Delivered by Build UK in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and CSCS, the event allows students, career changers, and the curious public to explore live building sites, manufacturing plants, and training centres. The scheme comes at a critical time for the sector; CITB's latest Construction Workforce Outlook indicates that the UK will require an additional 47,000 workers every year through to 2029 to meet demand.

With over 180 distinct occupations ranging from traditional trades to digital engineering and site management, the industry offers a broad spectrum of career paths. Currently, there are more than 100 different construction apprenticeships available, providing accessible entry points for many of the nearly one million young people (aged 16–24) not currently in education, employment, or training.

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Deb Madden, Executive Director for Customer Engagement and Operations at CITB, emphasized the event's impact: "Open Doors showcases the wide range of skills and opportunities on offer in construction. There's nothing else like it, and it is an excellent example of how the industry comes together, demonstrating the benefits of a career in construction. For employers, this is a great opportunity to showcase what you have to offer for new entrants. It's not too late to register your sites."

The 2025 event saw more than 7,000 people attend over 260 separate events across the UK. Post-event surveys revealed that 88% of visitors were more likely to consider a construction career after their visit.

Tamsin Parkes, Open Doors Project Manager at Build UK, added: "Open Doors gives young people and those considering a career in construction a unique opportunity to see the industry in action and speak to the people working in it. It is a privilege to play a part in helping someone to take their first step into the industry."

As part of the 2026 programme, all three of CITB's National Construction College (NCC) sites—located at Bircham Newton, Erith, and Inchinnan—will be open to the public, with additional digital resources provided by Go Construct.

Visitor booking is now open, and for more information or to secure your free place, go to: opendoors.construction/

Employers can still register to host Open Doors 2026 events until Saturday 28 February, and further guidance is available here