In summary

  • School of Design and Architecture students in Swinburne’s Bureau collaborated with Tradeswomen Australia Group to design a tram wrap celebrating women in trades
  • The initiative, part of the Yarra Trams Community Partnerships Program, aims to inspire women to pursue careers in traditionally male-dominated fields
  • The initiative reflects Swinburne's dedication to equipping students with real-world skills through work-integrated learning

'Women succeed in trades, and you can too.' That’s the message of an innovative collaboration between Swinburne School of Design and Architecture students and Tradeswomen Australia Group, to develop a tram wrap celebrating and promoting women in trades.

Tradeswomen Australia Group is dedicated to supporting women in pursuing meaningful careers in trades. Recognising the importance of visibility and representation, Tradeswomen Australia Group partnered with the Yarra Trams Community Partnerships Program to secure advertising space on a Yarra Tram until May.

Designed to inspire and encourage women to explore employment opportunities in traditionally male-dominated fields, students helped create a tram wrap that serves as a bold statement of empowerment.

Launched on 30 January, the eye-catching tram wrap was spotted traversing Route 109 from Port Melbourne to Box Hill, captivating the attention of commuters and passersby alike, while showcasing the talent and creativity of Swinburne's students.

Andrea Kew, one of the students who designed the tram wrap reflected on the collaborative journey behind the Women in Trades tram wrap.

"As a student, collaborating with Tradeswomen Australia Group on the Women in Trades campaign for Yarra Trams was an incredibly inspiring opportunity,” Andrea said.

“Our creative process was driven by the desire to visually communicate the message of empowerment and inclusivity. We wanted our design to serve as a beacon, inviting more women to explore careers in trades."

Full tram wrap design celebrating women in trades.

Career development benefits

This collaboration not only highlights the power of design to drive social change but also underscores the importance of partnerships between academia, industry and community organisations.

Professor Ruth Bridgstock, Director of Employability at Swinburne, explains the significance and career development benefits from initiatives like the Women in Trades campaign for Yarra trams.

“The Women in Trades campaign for Yarra Trams, designed by Swinburne Design and Architecture students, is another great example of our Work Integrated Learning (WIL) in action. The students brought together their design skills with their understanding of the client and target audience, and have done an outstanding job creating a high impact campaign with an important message,” said Professor Bridgstock.

“Swinburne offers a full progression of WIL to students in every undergraduate course. This means that students are industry-ready and have examples of real-world practice in their portfolios to help them take their next career step. It also means that employers can benefit from students’ expertise and creative perspectives, and identify future talent.”

The initiative reflects Swinburne's commitment to fostering innovation, diversity and inclusion. By providing students with real-world opportunities to make a positive impact, Swinburne continues to nurture the next generation of creative leaders who are equipped to tackle complex societal challenges.

As the tram travelled through Melbourne's bustling streets, it served as a powerful reminder of the resilience, talent and potential of women in trades. Through initiatives like this, Swinburne and its partners are paving the way for a more equitable and inclusive future.

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