ABOUT US

We know all about the barriers that come with trying to get on the tools as an adult. We get the fear of picking up a tool and trying to use it without fully understanding how it works. We know the anxiety that can come from stepping into these unfamiliar areas, or of feeling unwelcome.

We too, have experienced the curse of ‘assumed knowledge’ – when those who spent their childhoods in workshops and tool sheds (or were allowed to take shop in school) simply assume that everyone has the same level of knowledge or understanding, and as a result, have struggled to get the right training and instruction, not to mention losing the confidence to ask questions in the first place.

We know the hardest part is just starting.

Everyone should all be able to see power tools and not feel intimidated, that’s why we ALWAYS start with the basics. We prioritise teaching styles that work best for adult women, and take the time to decode all those unfamiliar tool terms, acronyms, and “shop-talk”.

But our mission goes beyond teaching how to build a bookcase or plaster a wall. It’s about dismantling gender stereotypes and removing the barriers to accessibility. It’s about building a vibrant community of learners and makers brimming with confidence, as well as creating a supportive and inclusive space where everyone feels comfortable asking questions, discussing their needs and voicing their concerns.

We are a team of DIY experts and tool veterans, and we are here for you – with no expectations – to provide whatever resources and support you need, when you need it.

No barrier is too big, and no mistake is final.

OUR STORY

Our story began in October 2022, sparked by the vision of our founder, JC (Janet Carter). Over time, JC noticed two things: one, many women, disabled folk, and people with cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds had little experience with tools or basic DIY skills…and two, that this actually stemmed from a lack of opportunity, rather than a lack of interest.

With almost 30 years in workshops and on the tools, JC found that she was often in environments where she walked and talked differently to everyone else. Whilst she was welcomed and included in these spaces, there were still accessibility issues, such as tools and machinery that were too big to comfortably use, PPE that didn’t fit, and lots of assumed knowledge about the tools and processes. Over the years, JC has become more and more convinced of the need for a dedicated space where people like her could learn practical skills in an accessible and inclusive environment.

Pooling her talents, education, and experience, she created a unique approach to teaching the ‘heavy’ skills of Carpentry, Welding and Home Maintenance —one that focused on more inclusive practices and processes.

In less than two years, WOTT has grown from a spark of inspiration to where we are now, offering an extensive range of courses. Recently, we’ve expanded to include Memberships, allowing you to bring your own projects into the big shed and use our space, tools and expertise, continuing our mission of empowerment through skill-building and community support.

Wait a minute! You’re a for profit business? Isn’t that a barrier for some?

Yes it is. We understand that some of our courses are out of reach for people with low incomes. We also respect that our Shed in Fremantle can be a long way to travel for many.

We are always looking to further our commitment to removing barriers, so we are not excluding people through finances and travel. We have, and continue to build collaborations and programs with support agencies, such as family and domestic violence, long term unemployment services, and NDIS.
We are also continuously working behind the scenes with Women’s and Community Sheds to help them establish their headquarters and offerings.

We dream that between WOTT, Women Sheds, and support agencies, women and gender diverse folk will have a range of safe, inclusive spaces to learn skills and gain confidence, depending on their wants and needs.

If this sounds like your sort of adventure, we invite you to enrol in a course, become a member, or contact us with any questions you might have. Start your journey with us today and experience the joy of learning in a space where everyone is welcome. Let’s get On The Tools!

Our Team

We know we don’t know everything! For that reason, we invest the time to find folks who have the skills that you want to learn. That means, alongside our carpentry, welding and home maintenance courses, we offer Masterclasses in metal art, motor vehicle maintenance, bricklaying, paving and reticulation, delivered by experts in those areas.

We work collaboratively with these specialists. They design their own independent Masterclasses based on their expert knowledge, and we host them here, at the big shed. For us at WOTT, it’s all about building relationships, and developing a community of people who understand what’s needed to get people in sheds and on the tools. We want to connect you with these people and their businesses.

And we’re always on the hunt for more! You ask, we go hunting! (if you don’t see what you’re keen to learn on our website, get in contact and let us know what you want)

Janet Carter (JC)

Founder & Director
A trailblazing maker and educator, Janet Carter (known to all as JC) has spent over 30 years dismantling the barriers that have historically kept women and marginalised groups away from the tools. Her journey began at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), where she trained as a set builder and props maker. Since graduating in 1995, JC has navigated the high-pressure worlds of theatre, film, and large-scale events, including constructing sets for the Black Swan Theatre Company, creating props for The Wiggles, and working as a welder for the Sydney 2000 Olympics ceremonies.
In October 2022, JC launched Women On The Tools (WOTT) as a direct response to the lack of inclusive, accessible trade training. Drawing on her firsthand experience with equipment and PPE designed for male bodies, she developed an equity-centered curriculum focused on “heavy” skills like carpentry and welding in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Beyond her technical expertise, JC is a veteran educator at the TAFE and university levels. Her vision is to scale WOTT into a national network, ensuring that the next generation sees women working with machinery not as an exception, but as the norm.

Carpentry Apprentice & WOTT Coordinator
Originally from Canada, Anna spent 20 years in hospitality before returning to her creative roots. Despite holding a visual arts degree, she chose to pivot to carpentry at age 35 and was awarded International Student of the Year for SM TAFE in 2025.
Anna has been an integral part of WOTT for a year, handling everything from course delivery and workshop assistance to social media and merchandise coordination. She is inspired by the “lightbulb moment” when students realize they have the power to create with their own hands. When she isn’t at the workshop or building playgrounds professionally, Anna enjoys roller derby, cooking, and exploring local breweries.

Woodworking Specialist & Instructor
Leigh’s artistic journey began with sketching still-life in graphite and charcoal before she discovered that her true calling lay in woodworking. She completed her first project at age 19—a pair of plant stands built with her father’s help—and has been crafting furniture and home decor ever since. After renovating a house and seeing
her children start school, Leigh committed to a “mini-apprenticeship” to formalize her skills, mastering techniques like wood turning, joinery, and intarsia.
Her work has been recognized with national awards and featured in the IOTA 24 international exhibition. Now in her fifth year of teaching woodworking to children and her second year teaching whittling at WOTT, Leigh is passionate about passing on her self-earned knowledge in an inclusive environment.