An awareness raising careers website portal and a bold work experience initiative aiming to break down barriers are the winners of this year’s National Association of Women in Construction’s 2025 Bright Ideas Grants.
Polly Britten from Victoria has earned the $30,000 Bright Ideas Individual Grant which provides seed funding to a woman, group or partnership to launch a new business venture, program or idea related to the construction industry.
Polly's LinkUpCareers website directory project will focus on raising awareness of the construction industry and its link to STEM careers among educators and students; challenging gender-related job stereotypes; facilitating connections between educators, students and industry representatives; and providing a platform for women to share their career journeys and experiences with students.
Polly said the construction industry is facing a significant challenge in attracting and retaining young professionals and the root of this issue lies in a lack of awareness about career pathways among educators and students.
“Gender-related job stereotypes are deeply ingrained but educators can have a significant influence on their students’ career decisions.
“It’s about encouraging young minds to see that science, technology, engineering, and maths don’t always wear lab coats — sometimes, they wear hard hats.”
“I’m delighted to receive the Bright Ideas Grant to establish this networking directory so educators can easily invite women in construction into the classroom to promote those ‘lightbulb moments’ about career pathways.”
Amarapave Pty Ltd based in Victoria has been awarded the $20,000 Bright Ideas Business Grant which provides seed funding to support a business with initiatives aimed at attracting, retaining, and advancing women in construction.
The funding will support the rollout of Pathways into Paving — a practical, purpose-led program designed to provide real, paid experience for individuals who are often overlooked due to a lack of industry exposure or prior experience.
The program aims to break down barriers for women and non-binary people entering the asphalt paving industry.
Through hands-on, site-based placements, supported by one-on-one mentoring and wraparound care, the program offers an entry point into the asphalt paving trade.
Amarapave Managing Director Jenika Stubelj said this initiative not only addresses the access gap faced by underrepresented individuals, but also demonstrates how targeted, values-driven programs can support workforce development and social procurement goals across major infrastructure projects in Victoria.
“Having the opportunity to help someone get their foot in the door in our trade gives them that ability to combat the standard knock-back comment of not having any experience for the role,” she said.
“Participants will be guided and supported throughout the process to build the confidence, skills and connections needed to pursue long-term employment.
“I’m thrilled to receive the Bright Ideas Grant. I’m excited to see the long-term impact that this grant will have through enabling women and non-binary people to enter our industry.”
Expressions of interest for the program are now open at https://www.amarapave.com.au/pavingpathways
NAWIC CEO Cathryn Greville said the Bright Ideas Grants provide an important opportunity to support innovative projects that attract women to the construction industry.
“Sometimes a bright idea just needs a bit of a leg up to come to fruition and generate significant positive outcomes,” she said.
“Our focus must be on building a sector that people – of all genders, races, ages, strengths and abilities – choose to join and stay.
“We need more than 400,000 new workers over the next 5 years, and we are barely touching the full talent pool with only 12.4% women overall, and only 3.4% representation of women in the trades.
“I congratulate this year’s Bright Ideas Grants recipients for their innovative projects and their commitment to attracting more women to work in the construction industry.”