Building and Construction Foundation

09/10/2026

We’ll be at Youth Fest in the West next Friday. Come and meet the Building & Construction Foundation team and chat with us about pathways into construction, scholarships and practical support.

Friday 16 October, 10 am–2 pm at Cobblebank Stadium. It’s a free event, so please share this with a young person, family or organisation who might benefit.

Thank you to Western Bulldogs Community Foundation and Workforce Australia Western Melbourne Local Jobs for bringing everyone together.

Do you know a young person aged between 15 and 30 looking for work, study, training, or support services?

Let them know about the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation Youth Fest in the West 2026, a free event connecting young people with local employers, education providers, youth services, and community organisations. Attendees can explore interactive stalls, hear from keynote speakers, discover local opportunities, and make valuable connections to support their future goals.

📅 Friday 16 October
🕙 10:00am to 2:00pm
📍 Cobblebank Stadium - 14 Stadium Drive Cobblabank

Whether they are considering further study, looking for employment opportunities, interested in wellbeing services, or simply want to see what's available in their community, Youth Fest is the place to start. Entry is free!

09/10/2026

Thinking about a career in construction, or supporting someone who is?

The Building & Construction Foundation will be at Youth Fest in the West next Friday. Come and chat with us about pathways into the industry, scholarships and practical support for people facing financial hardship and other barriers.

Friday 16 October 2026
10 am–2 pm
Cobblebank Stadium, 14 Stadium Drive, Cobblebank

This free event brings young people together with employers, training providers and community organisations from across Melbourne’s west.

Thank you to Western Bulldogs Community Foundation and Workforce Australia Western Melbourne Local Jobs for bringing everyone together.

Know someone who might benefit? Please share this invitation.

07/10/2026

Maggie was ready to begin her career in electrical. Today, she’s building that future as an apprentice with PowerWise Electrics.

Through our Building Women’s Careers Program, we connected Maggie with PowerWise Electrics, one of our Trade Network partners, and supported her with training and tools to help her get started.

“Getting the opportunity with PowerWise meant a lot to me. I’ve really enjoyed the work, learning new things and being part of the team. It’s given me more confidence in myself and made me excited about my future in electrical.”
Maggie

PowerWise Director Frank sees the value Maggie brings to the team: “Maggie has been an incredible addition to PowerWise. She is engaged, proactive, committed and always willing to learn.”

This is our Trade Network in action: industry coming together around the people we support and creating opportunities to put their skills and ambition to work. We’re proud of Maggie and grateful to PowerWise for the opportunity they’ve provided.

If you’re a woman in Victoria experiencing financial hardship and taking your next step in an eligible building or construction pathway, learn about the support available through our Building Women’s Careers Program:
https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01q4Gm0

Employers and industry partners who can offer apprenticeships, work experience, or mentoring: we’d love to connect with you through our Trade Network. Register your interest here:
https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01q4Gn0

Whether you’re seeking support or would like to get involved, you’re also welcome to email us at [email protected].

Our Building Women’s Careers Program is delivered as part of the Incolink-led Women in Construction program, funded by the Australian Government Department of Employment and Workplace Relations through the Building Women’s Careers initiative.

02/10/2026

The Trade Network in action.

Our September gathering at Harris HMC’s North Melbourne HQ brought together people and businesses ready to contribute to the Foundation’s work and create opportunities for the people we support.

The Trade Network builds on a community that has been coming together around the Foundation since our launch. It connects that willingness to help with practical opportunities through employment, work experience, mentoring, introductions and industry exposure.

On the night, we shared some of the amazing stories and outcomes made possible by our Trade Network partners in support of our Building Women’s Careers program and their involvement in our Youth Industry Immersion Program. We also welcomed many new expressions of interest from people and businesses wanting to get involved.

A special thank you to the Harris HMC team for generously hosting us, and to domo Insurance Brokers for their generous sponsorship.

Your support makes gatherings like this possible, bringing our existing community and new people together to connect, learn about the Foundation’s work and explore how they can contribute through the Trade Network. These connections help turn industry’s willingness to support others into practical opportunities and lasting impact.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, shared their experience or put their hand up to contribute.

View the event photo gallery:
https://buildingandconstructionfoundation.pixieset.com/tradenetworkevent2september2026/

Want to be part of the Trade Network? Register your interest:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfZpjGijCmhSasheA_upVj3tNEVcmRsaPPzkgB8bNAT77epfg/viewform?usp=header

Or email us at [email protected].

We’d love to connect with you.

Harris HMC domo.insure

15/09/2026

Can you start a career in construction with no experience? Yes, but the right first steps depend on the kind of role you want. Our step-by-step guide explains how to:
• Explore skilled trades, site-based and professional pathways
• Understand White Card and training requirements
• Prepare a practical and honest resume
• Approach employers, Group Training Organisations and support services
• Find out what financial or practical support may be available

Whether you’re starting your first career, changing direction or helping someone else take their next step, the guide provides a practical place to begin.

Read the guide: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H01mPwD0

15/07/2026

Behind every career in construction is someone who opened a door.

Every day, our valued Building & Construction Trade Network Partners do exactly that by creating opportunities for people entering our industry.

The Building & Construction Trade Network brings together businesses committed to creating opportunities, strengthening our industry and helping build the future workforce.

Our Trade Network Partners support the Foundation in many different ways. They create employment and apprenticeship opportunities, welcome participants for work experience and trial days, volunteer through our Youth Immersion Program, and mentor people as they begin their careers.

Whether your business can offer employment, mentoring, work experience, scholarships, industry expertise or simply a willingness to support others, there’s a place for you in the Trade Network.

Every opportunity, every conversation and every connection makes a difference. Thank you to all of our Trade Network Partners who continue to support the Foundation and help create meaningful pathways into construction.

If your business would like to be part of a growing community committed to creating opportunities and strengthening our industry, we’d love to hear from you. As a Trade Network Partner, you’ll connect with like-minded professionals, build valuable industry relationships, access exclusive networking opportunities and help shape the future construction workforce.

We’ll be bringing our Trade Network Partners together again this September for our next networking event, providing another opportunity to connect, collaborate and strengthen relationships across our growing community. We’d love to welcome more businesses who share our passion for creating pathways into construction.

To learn more or register your interest, please complete the Expression of Interest via the link below: https://ap1.hubs.ly/H015RvX0

13/07/2026

Josephine is one of the participants in our Building Women's Careers (BWC) Program, funded by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations. Referred to us by our program partners, Incolink's Women in Construction team, Josephine knew she wanted a career in construction but wasn’t sure which pathway was right for her.

Through the program, we worked with Josephine to identify her transferable skills and explore career pathways that aligned with her experience and interests. We supported her to access and complete the additional training she needed, funded the costs associated with that training and provided practical financial support to remove barriers to participation and help her transition into employment.

We then connected Josephine with an employment opportunity at Hickory Group where she successfully secured a Safety Officer traineeship on a major construction project. The Foundation also brought Sheforce into the partnership as the host Group Training Organisation (GTO), creating a supportive employment structure around Josephine as she begins her career in construction.

Reflecting on her journey, Josephine shared:

"Starting my journey in the construction industry, I felt overwhelmed and unsure of where to begin. When I connected with the Building & Construction Foundation, they provided me with the guidance and opportunities to explore which path best suited my goals and interests. They didn’t just offer resources, they actively supported me in securing employment and even helped place me in the right role.

I have now started a traineeship as a Safety Advisor on a major construction site, an opportunity I wouldn’t have had without their support."

Josephine’s journey shows what can happen when women are given the right support, training, practical assistance and industry connections to overcome barriers and build a pathway into construction.

Applications for our Building Women’s Careers Program are now open. If you’re a woman looking to build a career in construction, find out more and apply via our website.

08/07/2026

Jennifer’s story is a powerful example of what the Building Women’s Careers program is designed to do: provide practical support, industry connections and real opportunities for women building their careers in construction.

Through the Building & Construction Foundation’s women’s program, funded by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations, delivered in partnership with Incolink’s Women in Construction team, Jennifer was supported to take the next step in her trade journey.

Alongside the Foundation’s program support, collaboration with industry partners including Sheforce and Spective Group helped create the employment, training and on-site experience needed to turn opportunity into progress.

Every participant’s journey is different, but Jennifer’s story reflects what is possible when targeted support, industry partnership and determination come together.

We are proud to support women like Jennifer as they build their confidence, skills, and future in the trades, and to work with partners who share our commitment to creating a stronger, more inclusive construction industry.

07/07/2026

For 50 years, NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee) Week has recognised and honoured the history, cultures, achievements, and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme, 50 Years of Deadly, marks an important milestone, celebrating the strength, leadership, resilience and legacy of First Nations communities, Elders, leaders and advocates who have shaped the past, continue to lead today and inspire future generations.

At the Building & Construction Foundation, we believe a stronger construction industry is one that creates genuine opportunities for people to learn, train, work and thrive.

This NAIDOC Week, we take the opportunity to reflect on the significance of First Nations histories, cultures, and contributions, and on the role we all have in building more inclusive pathways into education, training, and employment.

We acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and cultures, this week, and every week.

29/06/2026

The Building & Construction Foundation recently attended the Hume VET Discovery Expo at Broadmeadows Town Hall, where more than 1,000 students from 17 schools came together to explore education, training and career pathways.

Sara and Jess spent the day speaking with students about the many opportunities available in the building and construction industry, including apprenticeships, traineeships, skilled trades and the diverse career pathways available across the sector.

It was fantastic to see so many young people asking thoughtful questions and taking an interest in where a career in construction could take them. We also enjoyed connecting with teachers, careers practitioners and industry representatives who are helping students make informed decisions about their future.
Through opportunities like these, the Building & Construction Foundation continues to create pathways into the building and construction industry for young people, women and people facing barriers to employment. Thanks to the support of Incolink, we are able to deliver school outreach initiatives that inspire the next generation and connect people with meaningful careers in the industry.

Thank you to the organisers of the Hume VET Discovery Expo and everyone who stopped by to chat with us throughout the day. We look forward to seeing many of these students become the apprentices, tradespeople and industry leaders of tomorrow.