Minister for Skills and Training Andrew Giles has launched the Male Allies Challenge at a construction site in Logan, calling on men across Australia’s construction sector to support women in building long-term careers.

The free, online initiative encourages organisations to help women enter, stay and progress in trades through the Male Allies Online Training Program. Running over three months, the program is self-paced, accessible on phones, tablets or computers and consists of five short modules.

“Women remain significantly under-represented in construction, particularly on the tools. We cannot meet our national priorities to build more homes and infrastructure without changing workplace culture,” Andrew says.

“This training is about engaging men as allies and giving them the skills to challenge poor behaviour, support their colleagues and help make construction a place where women are encouraged to pick up the tools, build their careers and stay for the long term.”

The initiative is part of the $5 million Allyship in Action, led by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) in partnership with ADCO Constructions, CPB Contractors, the Australian Workers’ Union and Holmesglen Institute. It falls under the Albanese Labor Government’s $60 million Building Women’s Careers (BWC) Program, which supports practical action to improve opportunities for women in industries dominated by men, including construction, clean energy, advanced manufacturing and digital and technology.

“The Male Allies Training Course gives men practical, evidence-based tools to handle real workplace situations with confidence, helping them speak up early, respond to inappropriate behaviour and set the standard,” NAWIC chief executive Cathryn Greville says.

“When we prioritise a culture of fairness, inclusion and respect, we create an environment where everyone feels valued and able to succeed. This is critical to attract more women into the industry, retain them and foster a strong pipeline of future leaders.”

Women currently make up only about 13% of Australia’s building and construction workforce, with just 3% working on the tools. The Male Allies Challenge aims to address this imbalance by equipping men, who make up the majority of the sector, with skills to create safer, more flexible and inclusive workplaces.

The program is open nationally to men working across construction and the built environment, with individuals and organisations able to register via the NAWIC website.