Building Women

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about us

Building Women is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to increasing female participation in construction. Despite women making up 51% of the population, they represent only a small fraction of the construction workforce. We’re here to change that.

Our goal is to remove barriers, challenge outdated perceptions, and create an industry that welcomes and supports women at every level. Whether through cultural change initiatives, flexible work arrangements, or tailored career support, we are committed to building a future where women can thrive in construction.

Our programs are delivered with the support of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations through the Building Women’s Careers (BWC) grant.

what we do

At Building Women, we take a three-pillar approach to making lasting change in the industry:

educate

We provide women with insights into the full range of construction careers, from hands-on trades to technical and leadership roles. Through training programs, industry partnerships, and real-world experience, we help women build the skills they need to succeed.

empower

We are driving cultural change by fostering inclusive workplaces, advocating for better policies, and providing peer-to-peer support networks. Our goal is to make the industry safer, more supportive, and more accessible for women at all stages of their careers.

employ

We connect women with real job opportunities by working with employers committed to diversity. Through employment targets, safe workplace networks, and wage advocacy, we ensure women not only enter the industry but stay and thrive in it.

our people

Building Women is led by experienced industry professionals Cassie Manser and Emma Sckrabei, who bring extensive expertise in workforce participation, diversity advocacy, and industry transformation. Their leadership ensures that Building Women is not just an initiative - it’s a movement.
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Cassie Manser profile image
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Cassie Manser

Co-Founder & Director

Cassie Manser is a leader in workforce planning, risk management, and project services in the construction sector. As the Director of Capture Culture and a board member of the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) South Australia, she brings strategic expertise and deep industry knowledge to Building Women. Her experience spans major infrastructure projects, workforce diversity initiatives, and mentoring programs that support women in construction. Cassie is committed to driving real, lasting change in the industry by ensuring more women have the opportunity to build rewarding careers.
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Emma Sckrabei

Co-Founder & Director

Emma Sckrabei is an award-winning expert in workforce participation, business development, and industry training. As the Director of The Umbrella Collective, she specializes in strategic consultancy services that promote diversity, inclusion, and workforce development across multiple industries. Emma has been recognized for her leadership in advocating for women in construction, earning multiple awards for her contributions. Her work focuses on breaking down barriers to entry, securing funding for workforce programs, and ensuring that women have the support they need to succeed in the industry.
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Toni Rowland

Program Manager

Toni Rowland brings a strong background in human resources, learning and development, and industry to her role with Building Women. Toni holds tertiary and postgraduate qualifications in Human Relations and Training & Development and has built her career around empowering people and creating meaningful workforce pathways. With extensive experience in the energy sector, Toni has worked across HR, L&D, mentoring and coaching, trade and non-trade early careers programs and leadership development. She is committed to advancing diversity and inclusion, with a particular focus on supporting women to enter and thrive in male-dominated industries.
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construction taster program

Building Pathways for Women

October 2026 Taster Program Now Open for Enrolment.

The construction taster program offers a tailored pre-vocational course designed to prepare women for rewarding careers in the construction industry. Through hands-on learning and real-world insight, participants build confidence, practical skills, and a clear pathway toward employment opportunities.

Whether you’re exploring a new career or ready to take the next step, this program offers:

  • Accredited training
  • Practical experience in a safe, inclusive environment
  • Industry connections and mentorship
  • Pathways to employment and further training

Download the flyer for full program details.

To register for the October program, register by clicking here.

Program flyer
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employer education program

Build inclusive workplaces. Strengthen your workforce.

The Building Women Employer Education Program partners with South Australian organisations across the construction sector to support meaningful, sustainable cultural change.

This program is ideal for small to medium construction businesses with 200 or fewer employees who want to strengthen leadership capability, address barriers, and embed inclusive everyday practices across worksites and teams.

Through a structured 6-month engagement, employers are supported to:

  • Understand their current workplace culture
  • Build leadership capability around inclusion
  • Address barriers impacting women’s participation
  • Implement practical actions that improve attraction and retention

The program is delivered using an agile approach, combining mentoring, coaching and targeted diversity and inclusion training. Each employer completes the program with a tailored Social Inclusion Action Plan aligned to their business operations.

Download the flyer for full program details.

Program flyer

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