The second and final stage of the Fashion Centre of Excellence has been opened at Mount Gravatt TAFE campus (8 September).
Presiding at the opening, Minister for Training and Skills Development, Di Farmer said skills investment was at the heart of the Government’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
Ms Farmer said the first stage of the Centre had opened in 2019 and the completed second stage would ensure fashion and textile students were trained with current industry standard equipment in a modern, vibrant and inspiring learning space.
“The initiative positions Queensland as a leader in fashion design training and will inspire and produce future creative businesses and create jobs,” she said.
Member for Mansfield, Corrine McMillian said fashion and textiles produced significant economic benefit to the State.
“In 2018-19 there were more than 6,000 fashion, industrial and jewellery designers in the State, and Queenslanders spend more than $6 billion a year on clothing and footwear,” Ms McMillian said.
Student at Mount Gravatt TAFE, Jay Harris is in his third year of training after enrolling to study a Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising in 2019.
“I had never stitched a stitch and couldn’t thread a sewing machine; now I am tailoring suits, luggage, shirts and swimwear,” Mr Harris said.
“I thrive when designing and creating fashion, and I’m developing a strong sense of identity through my training delivered in these amazing facilities.”
Enrolments in fashion-related training at Mount Gravatt TAFE doubled in 2020-21 from the previous year, with 294 students enrolled from Certificate II through to Advanced Diploma and Bachelor level.
