Facilitation Partners
Empowered Women in Trades
Bio
Empowered Women in Trades (EWIT) is a pioneering organisation dedicated to transforming the landscape of trade-based industries. With a mission to break traditional barriers, EWIT champions gender diversity and inclusivity, proving that trades are defined by passion, not gender. Through comprehensive training, mentorship, and robust industry partnerships, EWIT is not just an organisation - it's a movement. By creating opportunities for women and non-binary individuals to embark on meaningful careers in trades, EWIT is at the forefront of industry transformation. Beyond its core programs, the funds raised by EWIT are channeled directly into our charity initiatives, making a tangible difference in the lives of countless vulnerable women and non-binary people. With every stride, EWIT is paving the way for a more inclusive future in trades.
Involvement in Freestyle
Visibility is the first step towards transformation! At EWIT, we firmly believe in the adage, "You can’t be what you can’t see". Historically, the building and construction industry has been a male-dominated realm, often sidelining the aspirations of countless talented women and non-binary individuals. This lack of representation not only limits the potential of these individuals but also hampers the industry's growth and innovation.
Our partnership with Freestyle is a testament to our unwavering commitment to change this narrative. By joining forces with the North Melbourne Football Club and Tradeswomen Australia Group, we aim to harness our collective strengths, experiences, and resources to illuminate the myriad of opportunities available in the building and construction sector. This collaboration is not just about creating safe pathways; it's about reshaping perceptions, challenging age-old norms, and setting a new gold standard for inclusivity.
For EWIT, this partnership holds profound significance. It's an embodiment of our core values and a tangible step towards our vision of a more inclusive and diverse trades industry. By spotlighting successful women and non-binary individuals in the field, we hope to inspire, empower, and pave the way for the next generation of tradie trailblazers. Together with Freestyle, we're not just building careers; we're building a brighter, more equitable future for all.
Commercial Partners
Why are commercial partners important to the Freestyle program?
Commercial partners play a key role in empowering the Freestyle program as well as taking the lead on transforming their respective trades and industries. Without their continued support, Freestyle wouldn’t be able to achieve its mission of allowing young women and non-binary people to follow any career that interests them.
Each partner is active in helping the Freestyle program in the following ways:
- Provide employment pathways for young women and non-binary people to participate within the industry
- Educate students through hand-on experiences and activations at both public and in school events
- Provide financial and physical resources to grow the reach and effectiveness of Freestyle's core mission
Laing O'Rourke
Bio
Laing O’Rourke is a $6 billion international operation with 70 years of involvement in Australian construction and infrastructure, including nearly two decades under the Laing O’Rourke banner.
The business delivers projects as diverse as the environments in which they are built, from high security military bases and major rail transport infrastructure projects, through to landmark commercial buildings in capital cities and Indigenous housing in Australia’s remote north.
Laing O’Rourke was awarded the prestigious Workplace Gender Equality Agency’s Employer of Choice for Gender Equality citation in 2020 and 2022. It was an incredibly proud moment for the business and another step towards our mission to become the recognised leader for innovation and excellence in the construction sector.
Why did Laing O’Rourke join Freestyle?
Laing O'Rourke’s partnership with North Melbourne Football Club’s ‘Freestyle – Women in Trades’ program will help to start a conversation with women and non-binary people who would suit a career in construction, and then connect them to meaningful and sustainable employment opportunities. It will provide connections to construction pathways through 'Try a Trade' events, opportunities for training through local TAFE and other registered training organisations, as well as connections to employment agencies.
Dulux
Bio
At Dulux, we are your trusted guide to making brighter, fresher and more colourful spaces in which new stories and fresh memories can be made.
Our homes are the most important places in our lives. It’s where we live, love, laugh and cry. It’s the first place that’s truly ours. It’s a newly-wed couple’s love nest. It’s our children’s play pen. It’s where we congregate with friends and family. It’s where we retreat from the world when it all gets a little too crazy.
Our home is not just our most important asset. Our home is a reflection of who and what we are. As we change and grow, our home needs to change and grow too.
Why did Dulux join Freestyle?
In our exciting collaboration with the North Melbourne Football Club and our commitment to promoting trade painting as a viable career option for women, Dulux is excited to join the Freestyle – Women in Trades program.
Traditionally, the painting industry has been male-dominated, but as a brand, we are passionate about leading the change and extending a warm welcome of support to more women and non-binary individuals in this field!
Stanley Black & Decker
Bio
Stanley Black & Decker is the world's largest tool company, operating 150 manufacturing facilities worldwide. Guided by its purpose – for those who make the world – it produces innovative, award-winning power tools, hand tools, storage, digital tool solutions, lifestyle products, outdoor products, engineered fasteners and other industrial equipment to support the world's makers, creators, tradespeople and builders.
The company's iconic brands include DEWALT®, STANLEY®, BLACK+DECKER®, SIDCHROME®, LENOX® and IRWIN®. Recognized for its leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG), Stanley Black & Decker strives to be a force for good in support of its communities, employees and customers and this ethos is a great fit with the Kangaroos' values.
Why did Stanley Black & Decker join Freestyle?
The partnership focuses on encouraging discussion and changing perceptions of women on the football field and on the job site.
As a leader in our industry, and an advocate for diversity, we can promote and help build pathways for young women and non-binary people to find out more about apprenticeships and trade opportunities and be there with the tools they need, whatever the trade they decide.
RedZed
Bio
RedZed backs self-employed Australians, providing residential and commercial loans to those who might be overlooked by traditional banking institutions. Assessing applications on merit, and considering the unique characteristics of the individual, we’ve helped more than 20,000 self-employed borrowers achieve their finance goals. We know that the self-employed are time-poor, so our team are passionate about making finance simple so our customers can get on with building a successful business day in and day out. Our product range includes alternative documentation and full documentation options for both our residential and commercial products, and our applications are assessed by real people, with no credit scoring. This ensures we understand each customer's individual situation and their business and can offer the most suitable solution for them.
Why did RedZed join Freestyle?
RedZed are proud to support the Freestyle program, a great initiative to get more women and non-binary people into trades. As specialists in the self-employed, this is a program we are passionate about supporting.
CSR Gyprock
Bio
CSR Gyprock is Australia's leading manufacturer of gypsum based products such as plasterboard and cornice, as well as compounds, adhesives, specialty plasters and associated finishing materials and accessories. Gyprock supplies a comprehensive range of high performance products and systems for many applications to meet fire, acoustic and thermal requirements across all segments of the construction industry. To complement a strong retail presence in major hardware and building material retail outlets, Gyprock also operates Gyprock Trade™ centres and endorses Gyprock Specialist Distributors outlets across the country. These trade-focused outlets supply everything the plastering trade needs from boards and cornices to compounds, tapes, tools and accessories.
Why did Gyprock join Freestyle?
CSR Gyprock is proud to partner with the North Melbourne Football Club on the Freestyle initiative. At CSR Gyprock we are committed to fostering a more inclusive construction industry, and by joining forces with Freestyle, we hope to encourage women and non-binary individuals to explore & consider rewarding careers in construction. We're dedicated to providing the support and resources needed to build a diverse and sustainable workforce, and are excited by the opportunity to help break down any barriers to participation in trade based employment.
Yarra Trams
Bio
Melbourne hosts the world’s largest tram network with more than 250 kilometres of double track and a fleet of nearly 500 trams running approximately 33,000 services a week across the city.
Yarra Trams is proudly operated by Keolis Downer, the largest private multi-modal transport operator in Australia. Their guiding principle is to ‘think like a passenger’ with a focus on delivering safe, reliable, clean, and easy-to-use services and a commitment to increasing the environmental, social, and economic contribution that Melbourne’s tram network makes to the city.
Why did Yarra Trams join Freestyle?
In recent years Yarra Trams has nearly tripled the number of women tram drivers and is committed to continuing to increase the representation of women and gender diverse people across all areas of the business; seeking to have a workforce that is representative of the city and the community which they serve.
Yarra Trams is a leading employer of hundreds of tradespeople across their large rolling stock and infrastructure teams, and through this partnership with the Freestyle program they hope to see even more people of diverse backgrounds pursuing a fulfilling career on Melbourne’s tram network.
