The focus of the excursion was for the students to develop a better understanding of how the skills they are leaning at TAFE NSW are put into practice in the industry.

The students visited a not-for-profit community-based organisation Macleay Options that revives, restores and re-purposes clothing and goods, and Jabiru Printing which creates custom apparel, work wear and sportswear.

TAFE NSW Kempsey teacher Julianne Petterson said the excursion was a learning experience for the students.

"Environmentally sustainable fashion practices are a component of the Applied Fashion Design and Technology courses, so it was a great learning opportunity for students to witness first-hand the different ways fashion can be eco-friendly at a trade level," she said.

"The students are gaining practical skills and work experience in a real-world environment and can apply this knowledge to new design projects in the classroom."

TAFE NSW Applied Fashion Design and Technology student, Margaret Borger said the experience was highly rewarding as the students had the opportunity to talk to the employees at both businesses and listen to their advice about sustainable fashion practices.

"Studying at TAFE NSW is teaching me the practical skills and techniques to create fashion and it was important to me to learn how to incorporate sustainability into that process," she said.

"To be able to see in the workplace, what we learning the classroom is really valuable and it makes me feel confident I'll have the skills to get a job the area I've always wanted to work in."

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