A significant new funding commitment is set to expand hands on construction training opportunities for women across regional New South Wales, with the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation granting $545,000 to Habitat for Humanity Australia to deliver its Habitat Women program over the next three years.
The investment will support almost 50 women to complete free foundational training in construction skills across the Hunter and Central Coast regions. The first intake is scheduled to commence in late February 2026.
The initiative comes at a time when women remain significantly underrepresented in the construction workforce. According to Australian Bureau of Statistics data from 2024, women account for just 13.6 per cent of the national construction workforce, with an even smaller proportion working in trade roles.
Practical Skills, Real Pathways
The Habitat Women program is designed to provide participants with practical, entry level skills that can open doors into employment in construction and maintenance related industries.
Training will include:
- Basic carpentry
- Introductory plumbing skills
- Wall repairs
- Painting and tiling
- General repairs and maintenance
For many participants, the program is expected to serve as a first step into an industry that has traditionally been perceived as difficult to access.
Habitat for Humanity Australia Chief Executive Officer Penny Kaleta described the program as transformative for women seeking a new direction.
“We are thrilled to partner with Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation to increase the reach of our Habitat Women program,” Ms Kaleta said.
“For many participants this program is a turning point, providing exposure to new industries, strong networks and a clear pathway into the workforce.
Together, we are building brighter futures – one woman, one community at a time.”
The program is not positioned as a short course in isolation. Instead, it aims to connect women with networks, mentors and practical experience that can lead to employment outcomes in an industry facing ongoing skills shortages.
Addressing Two Challenges at Once
The partnership also reflects a broader strategy: tackling workforce participation and housing vulnerability at the same time.
Habitat for Humanity Australia is well known for delivering practical housing support for people experiencing hardship. In 2024, the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation granted $120,000 to help roll out the organisation’s Brush with Kindness program across Newcastle and the Central Coast.
That program focuses on rejuvenating crisis and transitional accommodation for individuals and families experiencing vulnerability, including women and children escaping domestic violence.
By investing further in the Habitat Women program, the Foundation is extending that work beyond housing upgrades and into workforce development.
Foundation spokesperson Natasha Beyersdorf said the continued collaboration reflects confidence in the organisation’s impact.
“Brush with Kindness continues to deliver much needed upgrades to transitional accommodation and following its success we are proud to partner with Habitat for Humanity Australia again to expand their Habitat Women program,” Ms Beyersdorf said.
“This initiative opens doors for women to develop practical skills, build confidence and access meaningful employment opportunities across in demand industries.”
The dual impact is significant. Participants not only gain employable skills, but may also contribute to improving housing conditions for vulnerable members of the community.
A Sector Under Pressure
The construction industry across Australia continues to navigate labour shortages, rising demand for housing, and the need to modernise its workforce.
While major infrastructure and residential projects are underway across the country, participation in trades remains heavily male dominated. Industry bodies and advocacy groups have consistently pointed to the need for earlier exposure, flexible pathways and supportive environments to increase female participation.
Programs such as Habitat Women provide a practical example of how community partnerships can help bridge that gap.
Rather than focusing solely on apprenticeships or high level policy reform, the program offers a grassroots pathway. Participants are introduced to the tools, terminology and basic tasks that form the foundation of many trades. That early exposure can reduce barriers that might otherwise discourage women from considering a career in construction.
In simple terms, it gives participants the confidence to pick up the tools and understand how things work.
Confidence, Community and Capability
Beyond the technical training, program organisers emphasise the importance of confidence building.
For women who may have experienced unemployment, career disruption, or domestic hardship, stepping into a new industry can feel overwhelming. The structured training environment is designed to create a safe and supportive space to learn.
Learning how to repair a wall, tile a surface or complete a basic carpentry task can seem small in isolation. But those skills represent more than just practical knowledge. They can be the beginning of economic independence.
For communities in the Hunter and Central Coast regions, the investment also supports local workforce development. Participants trained through the program are more likely to remain and work within their local areas, strengthening regional labour capacity.
Philanthropy with a Practical Focus
The Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation has increasingly focused on initiatives that deliver measurable social outcomes.
Rather than one off grants, the three year structure of the $545,000 investment allows for program continuity and planning. It provides Habitat for Humanity Australia with the certainty required to recruit participants, engage trainers and deliver structured intakes over time.
Long term funding commitments are particularly important in training programs, where consistency and follow up support can influence outcomes.
By building on its earlier investment in Brush with Kindness, the Foundation has effectively deepened its regional partnership rather than shifting focus to unrelated projects.
Building Brighter Futures
While the program will directly train around 50 women over three years, its broader impact may extend further.
Each participant who transitions into employment contributes to addressing skills shortages. Each housing upgrade delivered through Habitat’s programs improves living conditions for vulnerable individuals. Each partnership between philanthropy and industry strengthens community capacity.
In an industry often defined by statistics around insolvency, cost pressures and labour constraints, the Habitat Women program offers a different narrative: one of opportunity, capability and collaboration.
The first intake beginning in late February will mark the next step in that process.
For women considering a new career pathway, and for communities seeking to expand their skilled workforce, the initiative represents a practical investment in both people and place.
More information about the partnership and program can be found via Habitat for Humanity Australia at habitat.org.au.
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