Australia’s construction industry has long talked about the need to widen its talent pipeline. Now, a new program launching in South East Queensland is turning that conversation into action.
The Securing Futures – School to Work Transitions Program has been launched to help young women explore real, practical pathways into construction, at a time when skills shortages and workforce sustainability remain front-of-mind for builders and trades across the country.
Delivered by Awesome Women in Construction (AWIC) and supported by Community Bank Samford, the program will run throughout 2026 and target female students in Years 10 to 12 across Samford, Pine Rivers and Moreton Bay.
Rather than focusing on awareness alone, the initiative is designed to give students hands-on exposure to the industry, build confidence, and remove some of the uncertainty that often surrounds trade and construction careers.
From classrooms to construction sites
At the core of Securing Futures is a simple idea: young people are more likely to consider construction if they can see it, try it, and understand where it can lead.
Participants will have access to practical qualifications such as White Cards, alongside structured trade try-outs that allow students to experience different roles before making post-school decisions. For many, it will be the first time they have stepped onto a site or engaged directly with industry professionals.
That early exposure matters. Research consistently shows that career decisions are often locked in during the senior school years, yet construction is rarely presented as a viable or welcoming option for young women during that period.
By embedding the program within local schools and communities, Securing Futures aims to bridge the gap between education and industry in a way that feels tangible and achievable.
Addressing a workforce challenge the industry can’t ignore
For builders and contractors, the relevance of programs like this goes well beyond social outcomes.
Labour shortages continue to place pressure on delivery timelines, quality control and business sustainability. At the same time, the industry is competing with other sectors that often present clearer career pathways to school leavers.
Women remain significantly under-represented across most construction roles, particularly on site. While progress has been made in recent years, participation rates remain low compared to the broader workforce.
Initiatives that support entry points, mentorship and early confidence-building are increasingly seen as critical to long-term workforce planning.
From an industry perspective, the value lies not just in attracting more people, but in attracting people who are better informed, more prepared, and more likely to stay.
Community-backed, locally focused
The backing of Community Bank Samford highlights the role that local institutions can play in shaping workforce outcomes.
By supporting a program that operates across multiple school communities, the bank is helping to strengthen local employment pathways while keeping talent within the region.
For AWIC, Securing Futures builds on a broader mission to support women at every stage of their construction journey, from first exposure through to long-term career development.
The program also sends a signal to builders and trades in the region: the next generation of workers is coming through, and industry engagement will be key to making these pathways successful.
What this means for builders and trades
For builders operating in South East Queensland, programs like Securing Futures represent an opportunity as much as a solution.
Engaging with school-to-work initiatives allows businesses to:
- Contribute to workforce sustainability
- Shape expectations around site culture and professionalism
- Identify motivated future apprentices early
- Strengthen ties with their local community
It also reinforces a broader shift within the industry, one that recognises diversity and inclusion not as a compliance exercise, but as a practical response to real challenges.
A small step with long-term impact
While no single program will solve the industry’s workforce issues overnight, Securing Futures is a reminder that change often starts at the entry point.
By giving young women practical access, real qualifications and visible pathways into construction, the program helps remove barriers that have existed for decades.
For an industry looking to secure its future, that kind of early investment may prove invaluable.
Find out more about the program https://awic.org.au/schools-to-work-transition-program/
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