Certificate in Garment Technology (Foundation) and Certificate in Pattern Design (Level 3)

Mania Jane Fainu was able to hit the ground running in her first job as a merchandise assistant at Michele Ann. Picture / Fotopress

The course

Practical garment construction skills are the main focus of the courses run by NZ Fashion Tech. The Certificate in Garment Technology introduces core production skills, while the Certificate in Pattern Design covers core patternmaking, cutting and production skills.

The two level three NZQA accredited courses are industry focused and time-compressed programmes that provide core technical training for the sewn products industry. To enter the Certificate in Pattern Design, students must first complete the garment technology foundation course or have proof of equivalent skills and experience. Garment technology simply requires reasonable communication skills.

Approximately 15 per cent of the programme involves work experience. This usually starts one day a week, then increases to two depending on the student. It puts the learning in context and gives the employer and the student opportunity to assess their suitability.

A maximum of 15 students are accepted into the foundation course with only 12 accepted into pattern design. Low student-tutor ratio ensures regular one-on-one tutoring. Training rooms are set up to replicate industry conditions and the programme is run to industry hours so trainees get a good feel for the real work environment.

There are campuses in Central Auckland, New Lynn and Papatoetoe, as well as Wellington and Christchurch. The garment technology foundation programme costs $3276 and the pattern design course $3209. These costs include all stationery, materials, resources, and industry and research visits.

There are two intakes per year, January and July and the Auckland sites have some fully funded places for Training Opportunities students.

The course leads to entry level employment or the new level five fashion technology diploma NZ Fashion Tech expect to have up and running next year.

What graduates think
Mania Jane Fainu
20 years old

Merchandise Assistant for fashion manufacturing company Michele Ann Ltd

Average starting salary $15 per hour.

Been employed for 10 months

Michele Ann produces garments for high fashion retail chains and I work in the sales and design department supporting the merchandiser. This can mean doing anything from sourcing fabrics and trims to liaising with customers or working with patternmakers, cutters and machinists.

The course gave me really good background knowledge on garment construction which I really need for this job because it is important to know how finished garments should look and how to meet the customer's expectations.

The course also gave me an appreciation of what goes into the cutting and sewing involved in making a garment. It was hands-on learning every day - not much theory involved at all. And we also did work experience in a company every Monday and Tuesday for 15 weeks of the course.

Now I'm learning a lot about the business of fashion, such as ordering fabrics and costing. Eventually I want to have my own label. I chose to go to Fashion Tech straight from school after reading an advertisement in the paper and liked the idea of a practical approach.

We had small classes which meant we got a lot of one-on-one attention from tutors which I think you need when doing a practical course.

What employers think
Adi Warren
Human Resources Manager of Michele Ann Ltd

We have four graduates from Fashion Tech here. They start with just enough knowledge to be on the right footing, no matter what area of the company. We like the idea that they've chosen to get in at ground level with Fashion Tech and learn on the job.

Mania Jane hit the ground running because she had a good appreciation of the commercial side of the industry which is important as we don't have the time to bring someone up to speed.

We wanted someone who knows how garments are put together, and about fabric yields and suitability of fabrics - good practical knowledge.

Mania Jane was initially doing work experience in the design room and the manager felt she had the combination of industry knowledge, sales skills and personality required for merchandising.

Although we weren't looking for a merchandise employee, we are committed to developing people through the ranks and there is such a shortage of good merchandisers that we felt it worth offering a job to her.

The qualification

Certificate in Garment Technology (Foundation) and Certificate in Pattern Design (Level 3)

NZ Fashion Institute of Technology Ltd (NZ Fashion Tech)

Phone (09) 3095020 or 0800 22 4000