Fashion and textiles

Proper collection and sorting facilities and technologies are essential to manage clothing and textile waste. These facilities play a key role in separating the material that can be recycled, upcycled or disposed of, and help reduce landfill waste while providing valuable resources for creating new products.

Skills and occupations required

Workers involved in collecting and sorting clothing and textiles need a combination of abilities and knowledge, such as expertise in material identification, proficiency in sorting techniques, and skills in quality evaluation.

Speak to your local TAFE to identify qualifications that could meet your needs.

To promote sustainability in fashion, damaged or unwanted clothes can be repaired for resale or donated to charities. The growing focus from customers and industry on repair and resale highlights the need to design clothes with durability and repairability in mind.

Skills and occupations required

A diverse array of skills and knowledge is essential, including expertise in sustainable design, familiarity with eco-friendly materials, proficiency in designing for circularity, merchandising acumen, and an understanding of the social and environmental impacts associated with the fashion industry.

Courses available through the TAFE Network

• Advanced Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising
• Diploma of Applied Fashion Design and Merchandising
• Bachelor of Fashion Design