Employee Development

Building for the future

We believe it is essential for our staff to continue to develop and are committed to providing time for people to grow through education and training, apprenticeships (including adult apprenticeships), structured talent programs, and succession planning activities.

Talent Programs

Making beautiful products that last forever starts with building great teams. We are often looking for high calibre students and graduates who have the potential to be the future leaders of our business, but also support all our employees to build their careers with Brickworks through internally led development programs.

Apprenticeship Program

We offer Apprenticeships in trades including Electrical, Fitter and Roof Tilers. We not only recruit externally for these opportunities but support the development of employees looking to upskill and gain a qualification to assist them in reaching their career goals within the company.

Industrial Training Program / Work Placements

Brickworks partners with several local universities to support the industrial training requirements of undergraduate degrees where a work placement forms part of the curriculum. Often these opportunities are short-term, casual working arrangements that allow students to explore a range of roles or duties aligned with their field of study. For those who show potential and a genuine interest in building their careers with us, offers may be extended to join the Brickworks Cadet Program.

Cadet Program

Our 1–2-year structured Cadet Program allows undergraduate students in their penultimate or final year of study an opportunity to work casually in order to gain real-world experience aligned with their field of study. Cadets are provided a full workplace induction; regular opportunities to network and build their profile in the business; are tasked with ownership of engaging projects; provided technical training required on the job; and are provided regular opportunities to gain feedback on their development. Those Cadets interested in building their careers, and who have shown leadership potential, may be offered an opportunity to join the Brickworks Graduate Program.

Graduate Program

The Brickworks Graduate Program is a 1-2-year accelerated leadership development pathway. Either a 1-year extension to our Cadet Program, or a 2-year option for those joining us directly from university, the Graduate Program provides a full-time structured platform to advance those looking to move into leadership roles through opportunities to rotate around different areas of the business and training in both technical and professional skills. Participants are also guaranteed a place in the Brickworks Mentoring Program, paired with a highly experienced or senior member of our leadership team, as well as provided opportunities to attend company and industry events to build their profile and professional network.

Mentoring Program

Brickworks facilitates an internal, year long Mentoring Program designed to provide employees with an opportunity to build relationships across the business, increasing their network, and to partner with and learn from more experienced employees within the company. With an average tenure of more than 9 years at Brickworks – with many having been with the business for decades – there is so much opportunity to share knowledge and by extension, grow our internal capability. The Brickworks Mentoring Program has run for several years and attracts quite a significant number of applicants. Testimonials are positive with participants reporting both a valuable and rewarding experience.

Leadership Development Program

We are proud to further support the development of our employees by facilitating a structured yet customised Leadership Development Program encompassing three tiers of leadership: Leading Self, Leading Teams and Leading Functions. Succession planning activities and the development of individualised employee development plans feed the customised design of the leadership development journey for our people.

Succession Planning

The next generation of leaders

With the support of our HR team, people managers across the business have dedicated and continual conversations about potential successors for key and senior roles. Identified talent are assessed to determine developmental gaps and structured plans are created to bridge those gaps over a pre-determined period, working towards readiness for future roles. Our senior leadership team play an active part in regularly reviewing the progress of these individuals and offer support to ensure our workforce is strong and ready to meet our strategic goals well into the future.

Education and Training

Growing together

At an individual level, all employees are encouraged and afforded an average of 2 hours a week to dedicate to their education, training and development. Supported by their managers, employees can benefit from completion of qualifications; attendance at industry events or short courses; may use the time for self-directed learning through research and readings; or to shadow a colleague to upskill in a certain area of need or interest. Our focus is on ensuring both an engaged and supported workforce, as well as building capability to support internal movement and promotion.

Employee Testimonials

Lara Robertson

General Manager
Urbanstone & Austral Masonry WA

During my 10 years with Brickworks so far, I have been fortunate to receive extensive support and a wide range of opportunities that have contributed to my career growth, expanded my knowledge, and enriched my global experience.

I started my journey at Brickworks as a Research Assistant and Industrial Trainee while pursuing a Ceramic Engineering degree. Soon after graduating, I joined the Brickworks Graduate Program, which proved to be instrumental in enhancing my knowledge base. The program offered me the chance to participate in short courses that honed my leadership skills and business acumen. Through dedication and perseverance, I gradually progressed into a management role, marking a significant milestone in my career. Recognizing the need to complement my technical expertise with high-level strategic management skills, I was fortunate to receive support from Brickworks to pursue an Executive MBA at the University of Technology Sydney.

One of the most remarkable opportunities I have had with Brickworks was an international secondment to the United States with Brickworks North America. This assignment provided the opportunity to experience vibrant cities like Philadelphia and New York, where I had the honour of launching Brickworks’ global flagship Design Studio on Fifth Avenue in New York City. The experience of living and working overseas and being exposed to diverse perspectives was truly transformative and has left an indelible mark on both my personal and professional life.

I am immensely grateful for the support, guidance, and opportunities I have received during my time at Brickworks. The organisation’s commitment to fostering growth, has played a crucial role in shaping my career trajectory and broadening my global perspective.

I look forward to continuing my journey with Brickworks and contributing to its ongoing success by leveraging the knowledge and experiences gained throughout my career to date.

Josie Sykes

General Manager
Austral Bricks VIC

During my 12 years at Brickworks I have been fortunate to benefit from a number of training opportunities and internal promotions. I started in the business in a divisional finance role; and was promoted to a national finance role; and then transitioned into my current position as General Manager role. The company supports internal promotions and development of their employees. I have been fortunate to have completed an Executive MBA program at Melbourne Business school, supported by the company, and also attended a number of shorter courses as well as continued professional development through industry body workshops and attending industry functions. This allows me to continue to build my network and professional profile.

Peter Jeffrey

Finance Manager
Austral Bricks

During my 13 years with Brickworks, I have been fortunate enough to be supported in learning and development through internal and external training opportunities. Brickworks actively supports employee development and internal promotion which I have been involved with. When I started at the company I was employed as an Assistant Accountant and am now currently Finance Manager of Austral bricks and am part of the senior management team.

Because of the different building segments the business is involved with, this creates opportunities for roles internally. In my history with the company Brickworks always looks internally to fill positions which become available and utilises the experience of the staff that understand the business.

Brickworks has a strong learning and development culture with assistance for externally provided courses and internally ran learning opportunities. I have been lucky enough to be involved with two internally run mentorship programs utilising the experience and knowledge of senior management to improve and build on my business knowledge and personal development. The company is open to learning opportunities from external providers that support and develop their staff, with many courses been completed in my time with the business.

I appreciate my time with Brickworks for the employment opportunities they have provided as well as the learning and development I have gained.

Skye Whyte

State Sales Manager
Bristile Roofing QLD

Throughout my eight years with Bristile Roofing, I have been given many opportunities to diversify my career through my involvement in the evolution of our roofing business. I started my career with Brickworks as a Business Development Manager within the roofing business, before moving into my current role of State Sales Manager. Brickworks have a strong culture of developing staff and promoting within the organisation.

I have been fortunate to be involved in the very first mentor program at Brickworks, which strengthened my leadership skills and broadening my exposure to the broader Brickworks business. Brickworks have supported my continued learning journey by encouraging me to complete a number of short courses that ultimately strengthened my management skills. Brickworks have also supported my involvement in several industry associations and networking opportunities within our industry.