Opening Doors Progress Report 2026
Opening Doors Progress Report 2026
The Opening Doors Progress Report 2026 explores the progress employers are making towards more inclusive recruitment practices, against a backdrop of persistent skills shortages, changing workforce needs and continued barriers to employment for underrepresented groups. Since its launch in 2022, Business in the Community’s Opening Doors campaign has grown to 177 employers across more than 40 sectors, collectively taking over 1,300 actions to make 1.67 million jobs more accessible to untapped talent. Drawing on the 2026 Opening Doors Progress Survey, the report examines how inclusive recruitment is becoming increasingly embedded in organisational practice, its contribution to business priorities, and the role of the campaign in strengthening employer commitment, accountability and shared learning.
The findings highlight encouraging progress, with employers reporting benefits including improved workforce diversity, reduced skills gaps and greater success in filling hard-to-recruit roles. However, challenges remain in reaching disabled and neurodivergent candidates, developing partnerships with organisations supporting underrepresented groups, and ensuring recruitment processes are consistently accessible and fair. The report explores these achievements and barriers, drawing on employer experiences to identify practical opportunities for improvement. It also considers emerging recruitment trends, including the use of artificial intelligence, and the implications for future practice. Together, the findings inform the refreshed Opening Doors Framework and set out priorities for the next phase of the campaign, emphasising the importance of sustained commitment, collaboration and continuous improvement in widening access to meaningful employment.
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Explore the Opening Doors Programme
Opening Doors is Business in the Community’s (BITC) flagship inclusive recruitment campaign. Open to all employers, and free to join, we have an ambition to make 2 million jobs more accessible to diverse talent by supporting employers to make changes to the way they recruit.
