Sewing Up A Career In Textiles
The Sunday Age
Saturday April 26, 1997
THE Certificate Four in Clothing Industry Studies is among the many mid-year-entry courses offered by the Melbourne Institute of Textiles in Brunswick.
There is a choice of courses within the certificate, one focuses on garment manufacturing, pattern-making and small business, the other on garment manufacture, pattern-making and quality. Both help students develop skills and knowledge directly related to the workplace.
Completion of the course could see graduates move on to careers as assistant pattern-makers, quality controllers, assistant supervisors, small-business operators or garment tradespeople.
Prospective students are required to demonstrate a folio of garment construction and related work at an interview and require an aptitude for clothes design and technical skills. A VCE pass (or equivalent) is also a prerequisite and applications should be made through the Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre.
Both courses, which are offered by the institute's Fashion and Design School, are full-time.
Subjects covered within the courses can include advanced garment construction, pattern analysis and development, trade sketching, and client interaction and work placement.
As well as the practical side of clothes creation and design, students are taught the importance of having effective communication skills to work well in a team and the basics of occupational health and safety in the workplace.
Record keeping, as required in small business, and the intensive study of fibres and fabric identification are core modules of the course. Each course is $575 for 12 months.
The institute also has a business school offering mid-year intake in courses such as the Associated Diploma of Merchandising and Marketing (part-time only), Certificate Three in Small Business Management (full or part-time) and the Associate Diploma of Business - Marketing (full-time).
There is also a wide range of one-day workshops and short courses covering subjects such as pattern-making for beginners, black-and-white photography, making garments such as bridal wear, a tailored jacket or pants, and revamping your favorite clothes. The courses vary in length from one day to six weeks and are priced from about $80 to $250.
For more information, contact the Melbourne Institute of Textiles, 25 Dawson Street, Brunswick. Tel (03) 9389 9111; fax (03) 9389 9129.
© 1997 The Sunday Age