In an industry where fresh thinking can be the difference between stagnation and progress, the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) is giving bright ideas the fuel they need to take off.
Through its Bright Ideas Grants, NAWIC is investing directly in solutions designed to make workplaces better, more inclusive, and more innovative across the construction and built environment sector.
Closing the Gap Between Good Ideas and Real Impact
“Innovation often comes from those closest to the problem,” says Cathryn Greville, CEO of NAWIC. “They see the gaps, feel the pain points, and imagine solutions others might miss. But without resources, those solutions often never see the light of day.”
For women in entrepreneurship, this challenge can be particularly stark.
According to the Australian Women’s Leadership Centre, female founders in Australia receive just 50 cents for every dollar raised by their male counterparts. The Workplace Gender Equality Agency further reports that women face greater difficulty accessing capital and financial products.
The disparity is also evident in venture capital. In 2023, female-founded start-ups secured only 7.2 per cent of total venture capital funding in Australia, according to the Cut Through Venture Australian Start-up Funding Report.
NAWIC’s Bright Ideas Grants aim to change that dynamic, offering seed funding for both individuals and businesses whose projects advance the attraction, retention, and career progression of women in construction.
Two Grants, Two Big Ideas
Each year, NAWIC awards two separate grants:
- $30,000 Bright Ideas Individual Grant
- $20,000 Bright Ideas Business Grant
The 2025 recipients showcase how targeted funding can catalyse transformative change.
1. LinkUpCareers: Connecting Classrooms to Careers
Winner: Polly Britten, Victoria – $30,000 Bright Ideas Individual Grant
Britten’s project, LinkUpCareers, addresses one of the sector’s most stubborn challenges: a lack of awareness among educators and students about construction career pathways.
Her initiative will create an online directory enabling schools to connect with women working in the industry, inviting them into classrooms to share their career journeys and challenge outdated stereotypes.
“Gender-related job stereotypes are deeply ingrained, but educators can have a significant influence on their students’ career decisions,” says Britten. “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.”
The platform will:
- Showcase diverse STEM-related careers in construction.
- Facilitate direct connections between educators, students, and industry professionals.
- Offer real-life career stories from women in construction.
Britten believes the result will be more “lightbulb moments” for students who might not have considered construction as a career path.
2. Pathways into Paving: Breaking Down Entry Barriers
Winner: Amarapave, Victoria – $20,000 Bright Ideas Business Grant
Amarapave, an asphalt paving company led by Managing Director Jenika Stubelj, is using its grant to launch Pathways into Paving.
The program will provide paid, hands-on work experience for women often excluded from the trade due to lack of exposure or prior experience.
“Having the opportunity to help someone get their foot in the door in our trade gives them the ability to combat the standard knock-back comment of not having any experience for the role,” says Stubelj.
The initiative will combine:
- Site-based placements
- One-on-one mentoring
- Wraparound care and ongoing support
Stubelj says the aim is not only to upskill participants but to connect them with long-term employment opportunities and help diversify a workforce where women currently make up only 3.4 per cent of trades roles.
Why This Matters for the Industry
Australia’s construction sector is under mounting pressure to meet demand. The nation will need over 400,000 new workers in the next five years, yet only 12.4 per cent of the current workforce is female.
NAWIC sees cultural change as essential to bridging that gap. “We must tackle industry culture head-on,” says Greville. “Embedding sustainable, widespread change requires different perspectives and ideas in solution design and implementation.”
Both 2025 grant projects aim to do exactly that, one by expanding the talent pipeline, the other by breaking down employment barriers.
More Than Just Funding
While the grants themselves are significant, NAWIC’s program is about more than money. It’s about validating ideas, creating visibility, and building networks that help those ideas thrive.
“Sometimes a bright idea just needs a bit of a leg up,” says Greville. “We see this time and time again with our Bright Ideas Grants, once people are given the means to act, the impact can be far-reaching.”
The Broader Movement
NAWIC is the peak membership body for women in construction and the built environment. With chapters in every state and territory, it forms part of a global NAWIC network.
The association’s mission is to attract, develop, and retain women in the industry through advocacy, education, and recognition programs like the Bright Ideas Grants.
For those in the sector, the takeaway is clear: solutions to workforce challenges exist and many are being led by women on the ground. With the right support, these ideas can reshape the industry.
Learn More: Visit nawic.com.au or follow @nawicau on social media to see how you can contribute or apply for next year’s grants.
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