Jewellery World Magazine - August 2021

TAFE NSW SUPPORTS
“BY HAND” DEMAND
TAFE NSW is helping to fuel the local handmade industry by training and supporting
small business owners like Dulwich Hill jewellery store owner Connie Dimas.
Recent research from Roy Morgan has
shown that 93% of Australians were
more likely to buy products made in
Australia since the COVID-19 pandemic took
hold.
It’s great news for handmade jewellery
designer Connie, but she wasn’t always
destined for a career in the jewellery industry.
"Though I grew up with design in my blood
with a shoemaker and dressmaker as parents,
I chose to follow an academic path, studying
science and mathematics at the University of
NSW, Sydney,” Connie said.
“After years trying to find passion in
the science world, I stumbled across an
opportunity to create jewellery and absolutely
fell in love. I immediately enrolled to study
Jewellery and Object Design at TAFE NSW
Design Centre Enmore and it was the best
decision I ever made.”
Connie excelled in several roles in Australian
jewellery manufacturing businesses and now
owns her own jewellery store in Dulwich Hill
– Connie Dimas Jewellery. She says the shift to
hands-on training changed the course of her
life.
“I finally had the opportunity to express
my individuality and experiment within the
required syllabus to develop my own style.
"Creating by hand has always been my true
passion, and the opportunity to work with my
customers to design and perfect their unique
pieces is the best part of my job.”
TAFE NSW head teacher of jewellery design
and manufacture, Gina Kind said the
pandemic had forced many people to reassess
their purchasing habits and reliance on
imported goods.
"We know that during the pandemic many
people started to think about how their
purchasing habits impacted the local economy
and saw a huge shift towards locally-made
items. This was partly out of necessity but also
due to a general acknowledgement that our
shopping habits have a tangible impact on our
local businesses,” Ms Kind said.
“TAFE NSW is helping to train people in all
areas of design to support the push towards
locally sourced craftsmanship. In jewellery
making, we have a proud history of producing
incredible talent who go on to work in some
of Australia’s most prestigious jewellery
companies or open their
own businesses.”
The Certificate III in
Jewellery Manufacture
provides students with
hands-on skills in all aspects
of jewellery fabrication in
custom artist studios so
students graduate ready for
a career in the industry.
Connie says she is a
passionate advocate for
TAFE NSW after the training
and support she received at Design Centre
Enmore. She’s now encouraging her children
to consider pursuing a course at TAFE NSW.
“TAFE NSW gives you an opportunity to study
a broad range of careers and start studying
at a certificate level to build up towards the
career you want. Most students are not sure
what career path to study and locking into a
long-term diploma or degree can put pressure
on a teenager,” she said.
“I have encouraged both my teenagers to look
at TAFE NSW courses in their chosen interests.
One of them took up a TVET course during
high school and he is so grateful to have done
so, he feels that he is already ahead.”
To find out more about the TAFE NSW
Certificate III course in jewellery manufacture,
visit www.tafensw.edu.au or call 131 601.
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jewellery world - August 2021