Build Like a Girl

Build Like a Girl Build Like A Girl is a not for profit organisation that aims to change the 2% - Buildlikeagirl.com.au

In the past 12 months we have had more young women in construction reach out for financial help and support than ever be...
04/06/2026

In the past 12 months we have had more young women in construction reach out for financial help and support than ever before.

We’ve provided support for apprentices who have been sleeping in their car, as they had nowhere else that was safe to go.

We’ve purchased period products for tradeswomen who haven’t had the available funds left, after putting petrol in their car and paying rent.

We’ve had women in our pre-employment programs become homeless overnight, without warning and with no safety net.

And we’ve driven to chemists to fill prescriptions for anxiety and depression medication because they simply can’t afford it and were spiralling.

This is real.

This is happening everywhere.

Homelessness and it’s affects are everywhere you look -
if you stop turning away and decide to look it dead in the eye.

Our founder, Jo Farrell is not looking away.

She’s back again as an ambassador for the Sleepout and we are asking for your help.

Even $5 can help someone get back on their feet.

So if you can, please donate on the link below ⬇️

https://www.ceosleepout.org.au/fundraisers/joannefarrell/act

📷: Jo Farrell and Lucy Hohnen - CEO of St Vincent de Paul Society Canberra/Goulburn

Ignite HER Pathway is a fully funded pre-employment program through NSW Government Women in Construction. This program i...
26/05/2026

Ignite HER Pathway is a fully funded pre-employment program through NSW Government Women in Construction. This program is designed to give women hands-on, practical experience on a live job site. Participants will gain real exposure to landscape construction and civil construction work, build job-ready skills, and connect with pathways into employment.

Targeting women living across NSW who are no longer enrolled in school, this program includes:
CPCCWHS2001 – Apply WHS requirements, policies and procedures in the construction industry.
RIISAM203E – Use hand and power tools.
AHCMOM304 – Operate machinery and equipment.
Personal Protective Equipment for each participant.
Site tours
Guest speakers
Mentoring

Commencing Tuesday 21 July 2026, this 4-week program will run 3 days per week (Tues - Thurs, 9am – 3pm) and is a combination of theory and practical hands-on learning. All training will be delivered on site at the Bank Street Park Project in Pyrmont, public transport is easily accessible with the Bank Street Light Rail stop a 5 minute walk from the project site.

SELECTION CRITERIA

To be eligible for this program, interested individuals must meet the following criteria:
A female not enrolled in or attending a school, college or another program leading to the completion of year 12; and
be an Australian or New Zealand citizen, permanent Australian resident,
living in NSW
motivated to start work in landscape or civil construction
driver’s licence or willing to obtain


INFORMATION SESSION
An information session will be held on Wednesday 1 July 11:00am – 12:30pm at the Bank Street Park Project site office. It is mandatory that all individuals seeking to be on the program attend this session. This is a two-part session broken into:
An information presentation followed by;
A selection session for eligible individuals.

To check your eligibility and book a place, please contact Lauren via email [email protected] or scan the QR code on the program flyer.

The Embark program is kicking off in late May again, and we are putting out the call for apprentices, machine operators,...
04/05/2026

The Embark program is kicking off in late May again, and we are putting out the call for apprentices, machine operators, cadets, site engineers and labourers to sign on to this free mentoring opportunity.

If you are a woman in the first 5 years of her career who would like some extra support, to find new connections and learn how to network; this one is for you.

Register on the link in the QR code and we will do the rest!
❤️

We are back for 2026!Together with we are back to deliver the Embark program in a few weeks time, and are putting out t...
30/04/2026

We are back for 2026!

Together with we are back to deliver the Embark program in a few weeks time, and are putting out the call for mentees and mentors to step up and step in to this transformative experience.

Embark is specifically tailored and designed to support and offer targeted advice to young women who are undertaking a school-based apprenticeship, working in a trade or another role predominately on site in construction.

We focus on providing structured mentoring group sessions, developing a support network and industry contacts, and covering key topics and themes that women - and particularly women in the first stages of their career - may experience.
By providing guidance, tools, lived experience feedback sessions and insightful panellist forums, the Embark program sets women on a path to long term success.

This year we have a phenomenal line up of guest speakers and presenters who will discuss and explore topics such as;

o Developing life skills to enhance career and workplace transitions
o Managing in a male dominated environment
o Building resilience, confidence, and communication
o The importance of “finding your tribe”
o Creating a respectful workplace culture - leading from the ground up
o Managing Harassment, Bullying and Inappropriate behaviours
o Finances & managing money
o Addressing and navigating gender specific career attitudes within young women
o Develop the Mentoring culture within the Canberra construction industry

If you know a young woman who would benefit from mentorship and support, or if you’d like to sign on as a mentor - register your interest via the QR codes!

A fantastic end to our year, catching up with our board, supporters, mentors and mentees.Even 38 degree weather couldn’t...
18/12/2025

A fantastic end to our year, catching up with our board, supporters, mentors and mentees.

Even 38 degree weather couldn’t stop the crew from sharing some laughs and a lot of iced water as we say goodbye to 2025!

Thank you to everyone who has come on the journey so far, and here’s to an exciting year ahead in 2026!

Feel Good Friday post! Today was Graduation day for our Spark Ginninderry employment program participants and there wasn...
05/12/2025

Feel Good Friday post!

Today was Graduation day for our Spark Ginninderry employment program participants and there wasn’t a dry eye in the house!

After 7 intense weeks of training and skills building, this crew are ready to hit the ground running.

These programs are a joint collective effort, and we pour our heart and soul into them with the aim of building up people who have never really had anyone believe in them before.

In partnership with Ginninderry , Canberra Institute of Technology , Capital Region Jobs, The Umbrella Collective and Build Like A Girl , the women in construction taster is a roadmap to success.

It’s not just about training or upskilling. It’s about giving people confidence, building resilience and opening the possibilities of endless opportunities. Combined with some effort and a willingness to get outside their comfort zone, these participants have embraced the challenge and come out the other side as confident individuals ready to pursue their careers.

These programs are vital to support the industry and to provide multiple avenues to recruit and retain the skilled trades we need for our construction pipeline.

A big thanks to Emma Sckrabei , Mel Lyons, Jessica Stewart and Kate Anderson for supporting Build Like A Girl’s mission

We would like say a huge thank you to Paul Rosenberg Vella and Enzo Guarino from ALD Expert Demo for their incredibly ge...
04/12/2025

We would like say a huge thank you to Paul Rosenberg Vella and Enzo Guarino from ALD Expert Demo for their incredibly generous Christmas Kindness donation to Build Like A Girl.

Paul reached out a few weeks ago to explain their social mission to support charities nationwide, rather than go down the traditional route of gifting booze to partners and stakeholders, which is a pretty standard construction industry thing to do.

Support like this, and particularly at this time of year is so incredibly impactful.

Our employment pathway participants not only have the challenge of navigating a role in construction, but also have added life barriers and obstacles that can often prevent them from taking the next steps.

This funding will provide additional training and tickets such as traffic control, working at heights and certificate qualifications with CIT to bolster their current knowledge and skill sets. Additionally we can provide direct financial support to those who really need it.

Thank you to the ALD Expert Demo team for demonstrating what allusion and corporate responsibility and generosity looks like.

What a great early Xmas present! 🎁

A huuuuuuuge week of travelling interstate (not once but twice) to meet, present, collaborate and rev up businesses, eve...
30/11/2025

A huuuuuuuge week of travelling interstate (not once but twice) to meet, present, collaborate and rev up businesses, events and organisations to start getting serious about equity in construction.

By far the highlights are spending time with likeminded people and companies who get it. And who are well and truly leading the charge for change.

As the year draws to a close we will be finishing just the way we started 2025 - full charge to the finish line and with a renewed sense of optimism for 2026!

We always enjoy spending time with the Fulton Hogan crew, and Tuesday was a cracker. The FHC DEI Strategy packs a punch!...
26/11/2025

We always enjoy spending time with the Fulton Hogan crew, and Tuesday was a cracker. The FHC DEI Strategy packs a punch!
A roadmap to reform, they are leading the way with what should be the national blueprint for culture in construction.

The first step to resolve a problem is to first acknowledge we have one. And lack of diversity - in particular - gender diversity - is a massive problem.

Culture change doesn’t happen with huge actions. It’s a ripple effect that eventually transforms into a tsunami.

And we’ve just started the ripple…….

There is still time to register for this very special event with and Come along on Thursday 23rd October to hear from ...
19/10/2025

There is still time to register for this very special event with and

Come along on Thursday 23rd October to hear from phenomenal speakers in our industry:

(Sally Davis)



There will be lucky door prizes and giveaways, and some lucky apprentices will be walking away with scholarship donations thanks to our generous sponsors.

Link in the QR code below ⬇️

Address

Canberra, ACT

Opening Hours

Monday 7am - 5pm
Tuesday 7am - 5pm
Wednesday 7am - 5pm
Thursday 12am - 5pm
Friday 7am - 4pm

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