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Building and Construction Foundation

Our Vision

An industry that is open and accessible for everyone to succeed.

Our Mission

To unlock barriers to entry and progression within the building and construction industry.

Our Values 

  • Nurturing we seek to support, encourage and develop future talent for our industry
  • Inclusive – we believe that everyone should have an opportunity to advance their career in our industry regardless of race, gender, age or sexual preference
  • Collaborative – we foster collaborative partnerships with industry stakeholders and applicants
  • Ethical – we make fair, unbiased and transparent decisions at all times.

Who are we 

The Building & Construction Foundation aims to unlock barriers to entry and progression in the building and construction industry.  We aspire to an industry that is open and accessible for everyone to succeed by supporting those with limited support to undertake the education and further development that will help them to take the next step in their career.  We know that a good education is the foundation for a better future and that many individuals have the drive and desire but not the means to pursue that education due to their personal circumstances.

The Foundation was established by Master Builders Victoria in 2010 as an independent, registered charity to provide money for Eligible Scholarships, Bursaries and Prizes to, or for the benefit of, Approved Recipients in an approved Course. Governed by an independent Board, the Foundation has to date awarded over $590K in scholarships to over 200 scholarship recipients completing courses to enter our industry or seeking to enhance their technical, business and leadership capabilities. For the financial year 2020/21, the Foundation awarded 25 scholarships to the value of $115.5K.

Please download our Information booklet for more information.

The Foundation Board

Click here to view board members. 

Our Scholarships 

The Foundation provides financial assistance to individuals through three scholarships.

Applications are received on a rolling basis (no deadlines) for the (1) Early Career; (2) Career Advancement; and (3) Leadership scholarships. For the named scholarships (4-6), please check individual application forms for deadlines. Please allow up to eight weeks to receive the outcome of your application.”

1. Early Career Scholarship - $2,200

This scholarship is best if you’re new to the industry. It is available to you if you would like to undertake a pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship or other construction-related training. The funds are split into two:

  • $1,200 towards approved course fees, plus
  • $1,000 towards quality tools relevant to your trade

Previous successful applicants have used these funds towards an array of qualifications including Certificate II in Electrotechnology, Certificate III in Carpentry and Level 1 and 2 AutoCAD training.

Download application form

2. Career Advancement Scholarship - up to $5,000

This scholarship is best for individuals building on their existing career within the building and construction industry. It is available for those who would like to pursue a qualification above Certificate III level or approved professional development in a construction or related field. This scholarship can be used towards training in the following subcategories:

Builder Registration
Courses options could include the Certificate IV or Diploma in Building and Construction or approved Builder Registration professional development programs.

Industry Need
Courses options could include qualifications in Building Surveying, Construction Management or other courses to develop skills and experience in fields of skills shortage or industry need.

Sustainability
Courses options could include Master Builders Green Living (Domestic), Passive House training or other qualifications designed to develop skills and expertise in sustainability and energy efficient construction.

Leadership and Management
Course options include courses that build your leadership and management capabilities and knowledge, such as a Diploma of Building and Construction, Construction Management courses, Managing OHS and Industrial Relations and leadership courses for Supervisors.

Download application form.

This scholarship has a maximum value of $5,000. Individuals may apply for funding towards activities that cost less than this total amount. In these instances and if approved, they will receive funding for the total cost of these activities and not the full $5,000.

3. Leadership Scholarship - up to $5,000

This scholarship is best if you want to be a pioneer in your field or a leader within the building and construction industry. It can assist you to further your career through initiatives such as tertiary studies or research projects and enable you or your project to lead our industry into the future.

Courses options could include a Masters in Construction, an MBA, Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Construction Management or other qualifications to support you in advancing in the fields of construction, design and trades.

Download application form.

This scholarship has a maximum value of $5,000. Individuals may apply for funding towards activities that cost less than this total amount. In these instances and if approved, they will receive funding for the total cost of these activities and not the full $5,000.

In addition to the financial support offered to scholarship recipients, the Foundation also offers a multi-faceted approach to add greater impact for the selected recipient, including connecting recipient with a senior leader within the industry in a mentoring relationship, opportunities for traineeships, cadetships and graduate programs, where appropriate.
 

4. The Mario Biasin Career Advancement Scholarship

In honour of Mario, this Career Advancement Scholarship will support a worthy individual with $5,000 towards an accredited course in a building and construction-related field. This might be a Certificate IV or a Diploma in Building and Construction (Building), a Diploma of Building & Construction (Management), a Project Management course or a Leadership course, a Builders Registration course or another relevant course aimed at building technical, business or leadership skills.

To be eligible for this scholarship you will be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and either enrolled in or intending to enrol in, an approved Australian course. Mario was a proud migrant, a great mentor, and a promoter of women in the building and construction industry, so preference will be given to new migrants, refugees, women and/or emerging leaders within the sector.

To apply for this valuable scholarship please complete the application form below and outline why you are applying, how the selected study/course will support your career progression and how the scholarship will support you to achieve this. You must also attach a resume to your application and provide two character references. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to attend an interview.

Download the application form - Application Deadline: 1 July 2024. 


5. The Mario Biasin Leadership Scholarship 

The Mario Biasin Leadership Scholarship will support a worthy individual with $10,000 towards course fees in an appropriate building and construction related qualification. This includes qualifications such as an Advanced Diploma of Building and Construction, an Advanced Diploma of Building Surveying, a Bachelor degree in Construction or Project Management or a Master in Construction or Project Management. In addition, there will be the opportunity for the successful recipient to be mentored by one of our senior industry figures and potential for work opportunities at the completion of studies.

To be eligible for this scholarship you will be an Australian citizen or permanent resident and either enrolled in, or intending to enrol in, an approved Australian course.

Mario was a proud migrant, a great mentor and a promoter of women in the industry, so preference will be given to new migrants, refugees, women and/or emerging leaders within the building and construction sector.

To apply for this valuable scholarship please complete the application form below and outline why you need this scholarship, the qualification you are undertaking and how it will support you to progress your career within the industry. We would also like to know how you have taken up a leadership role at school, work or in the community in the past. You must also attach a resume and two character references to your application. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to attend an interview.

Download the application form - Application Deadline: 31 July 2024. 

6. The Rossiter Constructions Career Advancement Scholarship 

The Rossiter Constructions Career Advancement Scholarship was established to unlock a barrier for anyone facing disadvantage to build and advance their career in the building and construction industry.

Rossiter Constructions has been operating since 1997 in the commercial and industrial construction sector. They specialize in the construction of offices, warehouses and factories as well as refurbishments, alterations and additions. Their motto ‘Communication, Coordination and Cooperation’ underpins the way they operate and they have built a reputation for outstanding client satisfaction, reliability and outstanding quality. With a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility, Rossiter Constructions has partnered with the Building & Construction Foundation to establish this scholarship that will be offered each year.

The Rossiter Constructions Career Advancement Scholarship will support a worthy individual with $5,000 towards an accredited course in a building and construction-related field. This might be a Certificate IV or a Diploma in Building and Construction (Building), a Diploma of Building & Construction (Management), a Project Management course, a Leadership course, a Builders Registration course or another relevant course aimed at building technical, business or leadership skills.

Rossiter Constructions would particularly like to support someone who has experienced some form of hardship, whether that is physical, mental, financial and/or any form of discrimination that has caused them disadvantage.  So, if you are ambitious and have an innate desire to improve yourself and positively contribute to the building and construction industry but are facing a barrier to entry or progression, this is the scholarship for you!

To be eligible for this scholarship you will also be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or holder of a humanitarian visa.

Download the application form

How to donate

As a registered, independent charity, the Foundation relies on the generosity of individuals and organisations within the building and construction industry who understand the importance of investing in the future of their industry and share a commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility. As well as making a difference to the lives of our scholarship recipients, the investment by our supporters enables the Foundation to keep developing future talent, thus ensuring the long-term sustainability of our industry.

Our Foundation is an independent Charitable Trust with full tax deductible status. Strong governance processes ensure that all our scholarships need strict criteria and that all donations are used only for the purposes that they are given.

To donate, contact us at [email protected] or contact the Foundation Executive Director, Sara Abraham on 0427 640 898.

Our Supporters 

Our Founder MBV directly sponsors two of our Early Career Scholarships and one Career Advancement Scholarship. MBV continues to support the work of the Foundation and shares the vision of an industry that is accessible and open to everyone.

The Foundation gratefully acknowledges the contributions of our Supporters: Boston Group, Bunnings Warehouse, The Forster Family Foundation, Geoff and Deb Purcell, Harris HMC, Hickory, Incolink, KTL Australia, MaxCap Group, Mazzei Foundation, Metricon, RincovitchRossiter Constructions and XL Concrete


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