The Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) and the Visual Media Association (VMA) are teaming up to create stronger pathways for women into print and visual media manufacturing careers, as part of the AMWU’s Breaking Barriers: Women in Trades and Tech program.
Under the partnership, the AMWU will work with the VMA to provide women with new pathways into the print, packaging, sign and display trades.
This will include providing women practical exposure to the breadth of careers available across the sector through industry tours and workplace experiences at participating VMA-member businesses.
The partners will also collaborate to deliver new introductory opportunities for women to explore careers within the printing industry, and work with TAFE and training providers to help connect participants with appropriate education and apprenticeship opportunities.
The initiative highlights the ongoing success of the Breaking Barriers: Women in Trades and Tech program, which was launched in 2025, in delivering targeted action to attract, retrain and support women in highly skilled trades and technical roles.
The AMWU-led national program, funded as part of the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations’ Building Women’s Careers initiative, comprises two key initiatives to break barriers across both industry and training. As part of this work, the union collaborates with employers, training providers, and industry stakeholders across the country.
As the employer association representing Australia’s print, packaging, sign, display and broader visual media industries, the VMA is ideally placed to support the AMWU initiative by connecting the program with employers, and by promoting opportunities across its national membership.
AMWU Women in Trades Project Co-ordinator Courteney Munn said the partnership builds on work already underway to remove barriers for women seeking careers in traditionally male-dominated trades.
“We know from our work across manufacturing that attracting women is only one part of the challenge. Creating visible pathways, supportive workplaces and opportunities for women to build skills and sustainable careers is equally important,” Ms Munn said.
“Working with employer groups such as the VMA gives us an opportunity to connect women directly with businesses and industries looking for skilled people, and to build on the outcomes being achieved through our broader work supporting women in manufacturing.”
Industry support will also form an important additional part of the initiative, with VMA partner Ricoh Australia supporting efforts to increase the visibility of career opportunities for women across print and visual media.
VMA Chief Executive Officer Kellie Northwood said the VMA’s involvement would be measured by practical industry outcomes.
“We don't want our contribution to stop at awareness. We want women entering apprenticeships, employers opening their doors, TAFEs connecting participants with training and our existing emerging-talent programs helping support people once they enter the industry,” Ms Northwood said.
“Industry has a responsibility to be part of solving its own workforce challenges. We have employers looking for skilled people and an industry offering diverse, highly technical and rewarding careers. This initiative gives us another pathway to bring those two things together.
“The VMA is thrilled to support the initiative and looks forward to working with the AMWU, government, training providers and our members to create genuine opportunities for more women to build their careers in print and visual media manufacturing.”
Industry support will form a core part of the initiative, with VMA partner Ricoh Australia supporting efforts to increase the visibility of career opportunities for women across print and visual media.
Tina Economou, Chief Sales & Marketing Officer and recently appointed Managing Director, Ricoh Australia said attracting more women into the industry required both opportunity and visibility.
“There are tremendous career opportunities for women across print and visual media manufacturing, from production and technology through to technical services, sustainability, sales and leadership.”
“Creating pathways is important, but so too is making those careers visible. Women need opportunities to see these workplaces firsthand, understand the roles available and meet people already building successful careers in the industry. Bringing employers, training providers and industry together can help make those opportunities much more accessible.”