During April, CPB Contractors Executive General Manager NSW & ACT, Rob Monaci joined NAWIC CEO Cathryn Greville, the Australian Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, and more than 100 leaders and employees from CPB Contractors and the Warringah Freeway Project to launch the National Association of Women in Construction’s (NAWIC) Male Allies Training and Industry Challenge.
Hosted at CPB’s Warringah Freeway Project site shed in St Leonards, the event marked a key milestone in the national Allyship in Action: Transforming Culture to Attract and Retain Women initiative, which is actively engaging men to drive gender equality, foster inclusive workplaces, and dismantle systemic barriers that disadvantage women in work.
The Male Allies Training and Industry Challenge forms part of the three-year project, which has received $5 million in funding from the Australian Government’s Building Women’s Careers (BWC) Program and is being delivered in partnership with NAWIC, CPB Contractors, ADCO Constructions, the Australian Workers’ Union and Holmesglen Institute.
The Industry Challenge calls on organisations and individuals across the construction and built environment to demonstrate their commitment to building safer, more respectful and inclusive workplaces by completing NAWIC’s free, online Male Allies Training Course. Before the launch even kicked off, more than 50 CPB Contractors employees had already commenced the training with more than 20 completing it.
A finalist in NAWIC’s Male Ally of the Year for 2026, Rob Monaci explains that respectful culture is everyone’s responsibility and recognises the critical role males play in driving cultural change.
“As an industry, we have a way to go on our diversity journey. Progress requires ongoing effort and accountability from everyone, which is why programs like the Male Allies Industry Challenge are important. The online training is excellent, and we’ve already seen great participation at CPB Contractors, with most senior members of my team completing it.”
NAWIC CEO Cathryn Greville said, “This initiative is designed specifically for the construction and built environment, using realistic scenarios and practical strategies that reflect the day-to-day experiences of our workforce. By engaging men as allies, we are not only supporting women to enter and stay in the industry but strengthening the entire sector for the future.”
CPB Contractors Project Engineer, Isabella Gilbert who works on the Warringah Freeway Upgrade Project shared how support from colleagues has helped her advance from Junior Engineer to Site Engineer and now Project Engineer. “At the Warringah Freeway Project, allyship isn’t a checkbox. It’s how we work, men and women supporting each other to deliver a high-quality project, safely and efficiently in a complex environment. It's great to see programs like NAWIC's Allyship in Action, which foster a work environment where women can contribute fully, progress their careers meaningfully, and be valued as essential members of the delivery team.”
The free Male Allies Training course is practical, accessible and designed for real-world application, with five short, self-paced modules that can be completed on a phone, tablet or computer.
Speaking at the event, Federal Minister for Skills and Training, Andrew Giles, commented:
“Women continue to encounter systemic and cultural barriers in trades and technical fields. Case studies show workplace culture and recruitment practices continue to deter women from entering and staying in the construction industry.”
“Supporting workers to call out outdated attitudes and foster positive culture change strengthens the entire construction workforce. That cultural shift is essential if we are to deliver the projects communities depend on,” Minister Giles said,
“Increasing women’s participation is not only the right thing to do, it’s critical to ensuring we build a workforce that can meet the growing infrastructure and housing needs in New South Wales,” the Minister concluded.
Image: (L-R) Isabella Gilbert, Minister Giles, Cathryn Greville, Rob Monaci, Greg Belle, Ruth Mukheibir, Steven
Courtesy NAWIC ©2026