RMIT has developed a tool belt especially for women tradies.
Many barriers exist for women looking to get into the trades industry, including uniforms and equipment that fit correctly.
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A 2013 report from the now defunct Board of Vocational Education and Training revealed that small issues like correctly fitted items were a daily irritation for lady tradies.
RMIT Built Environment and Sustainability Director Melissa Tinetti said it was a constant problem for women in the industry.
“From my experience as a woman in the construction industry it has always been a challenge to find suitable tool belts and – at times – even clothing,” she said.
Enter RMIT fashion students like Charlotte Hunter and her unique design for a female tool belt.
Fashion Design students developed numerous gender diverse tool belts in collaboration with the Vocational Education Trades students.
Hunter said there was currently no real market for tool belts designed for female figures.
“Their anchor points are predominantly around the hips and slide down with any excess weight,” she said.
Hunter used the shoulders and hips as two major anchor points for her design to allow more people to wear it.
“The symmetric design allows for even weight distribution and by anchoring around the waist of a feminine figure, the belt will not slide down and potentially cause injury,” she said.
We won’t be seeing these tool belts on the market anytime soon, but the project has given students an understanding on designing gender diverse equipment.