Inspiring employers and young people around a new generation of work experience.

Open Your Door is a national campaign designed to help more young people experience real workplaces and make it easier for employers, particularly SMEs, to participate.

Open Your Door is part of a wider government drive to encourage more small businesses to offer work experience placements, and brings together a range of organisations that are all contributing to that goal.

By getting involved, you agree that Small Business Britain will store your details and later share them with UK Government, which will publish a list of all UK businesses that have pledged to be part of the wider campaign.

Get Involved Hear from employers

200,000 new opportunities.

Thousands of employers.

One generation.

Could your small business offer one?

Get Involved

Small businesses can make a big difference by opening their door!

If you would like to give a young person a chance to work and gain entrepreneurial inspiration – we want to hear from you!

More details are coming soon, but you can get involved now by filling in this short form.

Get Involved
Two women laughing together outside the shopfront of an independent coffee company
A young man in a Small Business Britain polo shirt talking with a guest at a business networking event
Six event volunteers of different ages wearing “How can I help?” T-shirts
Case Studies

Employers who have opened their door

Small business owners across the UK are already offering work experience. Here is what they say about it.

“We have employed three fantastic people following completion of work experience!”

Leonie Briggs Amazelab

“Offering work experience is really beneficial to both me and the students – young people come with a wealth of ideas and creativity.”

Marie Cavanagh Fired Works Glass Gallery and Studio

“The difficult thing about the whole process was only offering four places out of six who applied! Offering work experience was an overall positive process and we are looking at doing it again.”

Fiona Ewing Inspiral Cycles

“Young people who joined us for work experience were very keen to learn, and the support and communication from the schools and programmes we worked with was great.”

Massimo Langella Shambles

“We give young people real responsibility and the chance to lead, and we actively look for opportunities that fit each person’s interests. That combination builds confidence quickly, and it’s why so many stay on, progress to awards and, in many cases, go on to do paid work with us.”

Danielle McKinnon Eat, Sleep, Ride

“Having students with a genuine curiosity about elements of our business has led to positive experiences. We have subsequently hired some of these as seasonal staff.”

Sinead Ryan SpeedStich
More case studies coming soon
Spread The Word

Help more employers open their door

Our marketing pack has campaign logos, case study graphics and a work experience checklist, ready to share on your website and social channels.

Example case study graphic from the marketing pack, featuring Leonie Briggs of Amazelab