Budding fashion designers and talented creatives will benefit from TAFE Queensland’s new and upgraded Fashion Centre of Excellence building in Mt Gravatt. The $6.5 million training facility was officially opened on 8 Sept 2021.
In 2019, TAFE Queensland completed the first stage of the Fashion Centre of Excellence development, where students learn and develop skills that could support a livelihood or put them on the map as one of the world’s best fashion designers.
The second stage of the project invested in expanding and creating “modern, vibrant and inspiring learning spaces” where the designers can make use of industry-standard equipment and modern tools for learning.
“There are rooms for pattern making, millinery, sewing, stretch wear and screen printing, all with industry-standard machinery and equipment giving us everything we need to successfully bring our ideas to life,” TAFE Queensland announced.
“Couple that with the amazing teachers who break down the subject matter and guide us through it step by step and it’s a recipe for success.”
With more than 6,000 fashion, industrial and jewellery designers across the state, this industry has been building half a million jobs and contributing $27 billion dollars a year to Queensland’s economy.
Since the centre’s first stage completion, TAFE Mt Gravatt doubled its number of students to 294. The majority of the students are enrolled in the Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising, one of the more popular courses at the Mt Gravatt facility.
“Investing in skills and training for young people to enter the workforce and strengthen industries is a key part of the COVID recovery,” Member for Greenslopes Joe Kelly said.
“We are taking the future of fashion and textile creatives seriously and supporting young Queenslanders to get a start in the industry.”