With jobs in the fashion industry highly sought-after, the chance to work at the well-loved Port Macquarie community ArtWalk is an opportunity for TAFE NSW fashion students to gain valuable experience and become even more desirable to employers.

Today, TAFE NSW announced up to 20 of its students will participate in Port Macquarie’s ArtWalk – designing their very own outfits that will shine in the night - ensuring students gain crucial exposure to the creative industry. Students will be using a mixture of lights sewn into their clothes, illuminating glow and a range of creative methods to stand out in the crowds.

Excited fashion students from across the Mid North Coast region in TAFE NSW Port Macquarie and Kempsey locations are already preparing with behind-the-scenes work this July.

According to TAFE NSW research, over the next five years there is predicted to be a 28.5% increase in need for fashion industry employees due to an increase in demand for bespoke textile designs, with these demands, now is the time to get qualified.

TAFE NSW Teacher of Fashion and Creative Industries, Julianne Petterson, said, “We are giving students access and exposure to real events. Students will come out of this with industry experience which is what we always strive to provide at TAFE NSW.

“Creatively, students are experimenting with innovating products and exploring design concepts as well as using their sewing skills to upcycle a t-shirt into their own interpretation of a fashionable garment.”

Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor, Peta Pinson was excited to learn that local TAFE NSW students would be participating in Artwalk.

“Artwalk offers such a great opportunity for up and coming students to showcase their creative talents to a captive audience,” Mayor Pinson said.

“This can be a wonderful pathway to a career in the creative industries, and I’m really looking forward to meeting the students and experiencing their wonderful work on the evening.”

TAFE NSW student Bree Parker sees this as an opportunity to refine her skills and learn some new techniques.

“It is really interesting studying at TAFE NSW after being self-taught and now actually learning the correct ways to do things. I am learning so much!

“ArtWalk is a great chance to make something creative that is beautiful in the day but innovative enough to be seen in the night.”

“TAFE NSW teachers have been really good at supporting students and putting us forward for events like this. They have a lot of contacts which helps with getting practical experience. I’m hoping that something might come out of the experience I am gaining and I’ll land my dream job when finish studying”, Ms Parker said.

For more detail on TAFE NSW courses, face-to-face or online, visit www.tafensw.com.au or call 131 601.
 

Media contact: Sarah Lievore, TAFE NSW Media Officer, sarah.lievore1@tafensw.edu.au