Putting women front and centre
LinkUp Careers is a national platform helping women and career changers discover careers they never knew existed in Construction, Energy and Manufacturing. We help them find their people, find their path and build real capability, by bringing hidden jobs into view, connecting them with women who have walked these paths before them, and helping them recognise the skills they already have.
Our mission
Our mission is to open doors for women in Construction, Energy and Manufacturing through connection, support and skills that transfer, so they can find their way in, build their capability and create a successful career.
A national platform available across Australia, LinkUp Careers is open to everyone starting a career or making a career change, with a particular focus on bringing more women in. Every step on LinkUp Careers, from Connect and Try it to Learn and Land, helps people build the knowledge, confidence and networks they need to thrive in these industries. Always free for users.
Put women front and centre, on the tools, in the office and in leadership.
Bring hidden, lesser-known jobs into view alongside the trades and professional roles people already know.
Help people find their way in through try-before-you-commit programs, entry-level pathways and roles that value transferable skills.
Help people recognise the skills they already have and how they transfer between industries and occupations.
Build networks through a community of role models, mentors and allies.
Provide support at every step, from your first question to your first role in the industry and beyond.
Build capability through industry exposure, short courses and training that leads somewhere.
The Barriers are Real
Women make up just 13% of Australia's construction workforce, and Construction, Energy and Manufacturing need people across trades, STEM, finance, project management and leadership. The barriers are not about ability. They are about perception, access and the absence of visible role models.
Source: Jobs and Skills Australia, Construction industry profile, 2025
Construction, Energy and Manufacturing, all growing fast
No fees and no paywalls for users. Employers, training organisations, industry associations and universities can partner with us to shape the next generation entering their industries.
Why focus on women?
Women are not entering these industries because they don't see themselves represented in the workforce, not just on the tools, but in the boardroom, the lab, the finance team, and the project office. Gender myths and stereotypes persist in schools, homes, and communities. Educators lack resources to present these careers as viable, exciting options for women. Employers have limited tools to attract diverse candidates. Many of the jobs open to them are hidden jobs that rarely feature in careers conversations at all.
By highlighting diverse role models (including women, male allies, and gender-diverse professionals), curating welcoming entry pathways, providing upskilling opportunities, and partnering with inclusive employers, LinkUp Careers works to normalise women's participation and leadership in these critical sectors.
Our Values
Inclusion
Every person deserves access to every career. We remove barriers, not just raise awareness.
Authenticity
Real stories from real people. We celebrate honest, unpolished journeys.
Equity
We address systemic barriers that hold people back from thriving careers, especially women, who remain underrepresented in these industries.
Community
Building networks that lift women up together, through role models, mentors, educators, employers and allies.
Awareness
Busting myths that women are not suited for construction, manufacturing, and energy careers.
Impact
We measure success in lives changed and doors opened, not just clicks and page views.
Meet Our Board Members
LinkUp Careers is guided by an independent board that provides strategic oversight, industry insight, and accountability, keeping the organisation purpose-led, inclusive, and focused on long-term impact.
Polly Britten
Churchill Fellow · Founder of LinkUp Careers
A passionate advocate for gender equity in skilled trades with 8+ years' experience across education, workforce development, and industry engagement. Founder of the NextGen Tradies: Try a Trade program, and Churchill Fellow whose research spanned Canada, Denmark, Germany, England and Portugal.
Visit Churchill Trust
Rosanne Luna
Construction Professional · Educator · NAWIC Member
Brings 20+ years of experience across the construction industry in project management, operations, and workforce development. Currently teaches Construction Management at Swinburne University of Technology and is a proud NAWIC mentor.
Visit Swinburne University
Lauren Fahey
Executive Director, NexGen · Diversity & Inclusion Ambassador
Works at the intersection of schools, industry, and government to open doors for students, particularly girls, in construction. Has engaged tens of thousands of students and job seekers across Australia through honest, practical advocacy.
Visit NexGen
Melinda Davis
General Manager, Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT)
A leading voice for gender equity in Australia's trade and construction sectors, driving EWIT's bold 30 by 30 mission. Works closely with industry, government, and community to build safer, more inclusive workplaces for women and non-binary tradespeople.
Visit Empowered Women in Trades
Renee Briggs-Gordon
National Manager of Apprenticeships, APM Employment Services
Leads the development and delivery of apprenticeship programs connecting individuals with practical career pathways. Brings 20+ years of leadership across workforce solutions and business development, with a deep commitment to inclusive employment.
Visit APM Employment Services
Emma Hart
Founder, Hart Futures
An experienced senior leader, project manager, and event specialist. Founder of Hart Futures, a consultancy supporting purpose-driven initiatives. Contributes practical delivery expertise and a strong commitment to inclusive community growth.
The Evidence Is In
Awarded a 2023 Churchill Fellowship to investigate programs encouraging girls, women, and underrepresented people into skilled trade and industry careers, Polly travelled to Canada, Denmark, Germany, England and Portugal: countries where women's participation in trades far exceeds Australia's.
Her research found that the gap is not a question of capacity or interest. It is the product of limited early exposure, persistent stereotypes, and a lack of visible role models. The solutions she documented are practical, proven, and urgently needed here.
Sources: Statistics Canada (2023); Office for National Statistics, England (2020); Laura Heiberg, Log Ladies / Denmark (2024); Frauke Kordtomeikel, Kompetenzz Centre for Technology, Diversity & Equal Opportunities, Germany (2024); Australia: [CONFIRM: source]. Figures for skilled trades specifically.
Key Findings & Recommendations
Countries with higher female participation expose students to trade and industry careers in primary school, not just in senior secondary.
Representation of women in leadership and on the tools normalises their presence. Young people need to see it before they can imagine it.
Short, low-barrier taster programs dramatically increase willingness to pursue apprenticeships and non-traditional careers.
Stereotypes, not aptitude, are the primary barrier. Targeted messaging and real role models are the most effective tools for change.
Want to be part of this?
Whether you're a young person exploring a new career, an educator looking for resources, or an employer committed to gender diversity, there's a place for you at LinkUp Careers.