SALT's purpose
Supporting And Linking Tradeswomen (SALT) is a non-profit organisation that was founded in 2009 to provide a support network for tradeswomen, apprentices, and women seeking to enter the trades in Australia.
SALT's key aims are to provide mentoring and support for tradeswomen, create networking opportunities, promote women in the trades, advocate for changing attitudes, and campaign for policies that enable women to train and work in the trades.
SALT continues to involve and collaborate with other organisations and individuals in our aims to advocate for gender equality in trades, dismantle stereotypes, and improve working environments where all women and gender diverse people can thrive.
SALT operates with the key values of fairness, respect, integrity, and responsibility.
Aims
Providing support and mentoring to tradeswomen in Australia including apprentices and women seeking to work in the trades.
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Providing avenues for women to meet other tradeswomen, apprentices and others to share experiences.
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Promoting women in the trades to the general public and industry.
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Advocating for change to attitudes to women working in the trades.
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Campaigning for changes which enable women to train and work in the trades.
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Promoting diversity and acceptance for all people in the trades.
Membership
SALT is a member-led organisation. Current members of SALT can attend annual general meetings and special meetings, elect representatives to the committee or nominate for positions on the committee.
Workshops
SALT’s main activity is to provide practical, hands-on workshops that introduce young people to trade skills and career pathways.
“Jobs don’t have a gender”
This powerful tag line was coined by Painter & Decorator co-founder Fi Shewring in 2018. Along with six other founding tradies -
Di Buttenshaw – Sign writer,
Jacqueline Forrest- Painter and decorator,
Di Robinson - Painter and decorator,
Fred Foster- Fitter and turner,
Brooke Mepham- Auto spray painter,
Sarah Brunton - Electrician -
Supporting And Linking Tradeswomen (SALT) was established in July 2009.
In September 2012 SALT began running workshops in schools and communities, teaching women and girls how to use basic tools, and talking about opportunities to work in the Trades. Earlier research by Fi had discovered that a majority of women who undertook and completed apprenticeships, had been taught to use tools at an early age - and that by providing practical experiences, SALT could give women opportunities to realise their capability with tools and techniques.
Workshops
SALT’s current main activity is to provide practical, hands-on workshops that introduce young people to trade skills and career pathways.
Browse our playlist of workshop videos.