Growing industry talent
What are currently the most popular courses and why?
Sydney Institute, Ultimo, head teacher fashion technology Tracey Azoulay
Fashion Technology Certificate IV and Diploma of Fashion Technology, because students get a strong grounding in technical skills including pre-production, product research and development, patternmaking, grading and all facets of garment production and operations.
Box Hill Institute Centre for Media, Design & Arts (Vic) senior educator teaching and learning Bindhu George
Fashion courses are extremely popular. For training organisations that rely on government funding, the reality is that Government priorities will determine where money is spent on training. This is where the focus will be in terms of allocating places.
Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE (QLD) public relations and communication officer Jeni Josefski
We've found that both the Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Textiles, Clothing and Footwear are among our most popular courses. They provide students with skills and knowledge that are transferable throughout the global fashion economy.
Charles Darwin University (NT) course coordinator, Fashion Studies Armida Monteith
Fashion Design is the most ?in demand? course; everyone wants to be a designer. Realistically the skills-based courses are very popular in the NT; there is strong demand for pattern-making and garment fit and construction. Embellishment and printing units are also popular.
What are the biggest current challenges in fashion education and training?
Sydney Institute, Ultimo head teacher fashion technology Tracey Azoulay
We are redeveloping our courses in line with new training packages developed and reviewed by industry, so keeping abreast of an evolving industry and emerging technologies is a challenge; as is raising awareness of the Australian fashion industry; a lot of offshore production is edging back onshore.
Box Hill Institute Centre for Media, Design & Arts (Vic) senior educator teaching and learning Bindhu George
Engaging the Gen Y learner in all aspects of training for the fashion industry, rather than just what they want to do. Communicating expectations to the learner and being creative about bridging the gap between industry requirements and what students want to learn.
Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE (QLD) public relations and communication officer Jeni Josefski
Meeting changing industry requirements as a result of the rise of globalisation and niche markets.
Charles Darwin University (NT) course coordinator, Fashion Studies Armida Monteith
The tyranny of distance is a big challenge. It is more difficult in the NT to experience what is going on in the fashion scene and to get variety in fabrics, find suppliers or access services. However this has made us more resourceful in searching out trends and networking.
In your view what is the most significant new trend likely to affect education and training over the next twelve months?
Sydney Institute, Ultimo head teacher fashion technology Tracey Azoulay
Keeping training in line with industry while industry repositions itself, aligning training to industry needs and economic shifts and focussing on skills to help industry become more competitive.
Box Hill Institute Centre for Media, Design & Arts (Vic) senior educator teaching and learning Bindhu George
The new training package being implemented in 2007 will focus training on fashion design as well as clothing production. There will also be increased need for customised and flexible training as industry realises the need for updating the skills of its workforce.
Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE (QLD) public relations and communication officer Jeni Josefski
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will come into effect more. This allows people working in the industry without formal qualifications to have their existing skills recognised and gain the relevant qualifications. We are equipped to offer a 'blended' delivery environment no longer restricted to classroom training.
Charles Darwin University (NT) course coordinator, Fashion Studies Armida Monteith
Vocational Education Training in Schools (VETiS) is a significant movement in education and training. After a few years of the program, we are finding increasing demand for School Based New Apprentices and that more VETiS graduates are moving into traineeships once they have completed their schooling.
How important are education and training to the future of the Australian fashion industry?
Sydney Institute, Ultimo, head teacher fashion technology Tracey Azoulay
Education keeps traditional skills alive. It also offers grounding in the training of new technology such as CAD as well as product development. These have been identified as skills that need support in light of a competitive global environment.
Box Hill Institute Centre for Media, Design & Arts (Vic) senior educator teaching and learning Bindhu George
Very. Although manufacturing is moving overseas, there will always be a need in Australia for personnel who are well informed and trained to Australian standards. Training organisations must respond to this need by providing work-ready graduates.
Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE (QLD) public relations and communication officer Jeni Josefski
Crucial. To progress in line with the rest of the world, we must continue to produce world-class employees that can meet industry requirements globally.
Charles Darwin University (NT) course coordinator, Fashion Studies Armida Monteith
I can only gauge the importance from local industry. We have increased demand for trainees in our local industry which reflects a confidence in the value of education and training.
What areas of fashion education and training would you most like to see changed or improved and why?
Sydney Institute, Ultimo head teacher fashion technology Tracey Azoulay
Maintaining industry contact to ensure relevance of training. Raising productivity and improving workforce skills. Stronger research links with international market information. More customer focus: enhancing supply with better service.
Box Hill Institute Centre for Media, Design & Arts (Vic) senior educator teaching and learning Bindhu George
I would like to see fashion design training focus on responsible design. Creating industry-ready graduates with a sense of social responsibility is one of the focus areas of the new Associate Degree in fashion technology that Box hill Institute will deliver in 2007.
Metropolitan South Institute of TAFE (QLD) public relations and communication officer Jeni Josefski
We need to remain at the forefront of delivery of education and training that is responsive to industry requirements. By continually building relationships and working closely with industry we will continue to meet its needs and requirements.
Charles Darwin University (NT) course coordinator, Fashion Studies Armida Monteith
When national training packages were introduced in recent years it was understood that training would be standardised and courses would be portable. This is not the case; each state and territory implements the units in its own way. A clearer indication of content in each unit would enhance consistency in delivery and outcomes.