Running time: 6 minutes, 25 seconds
Size: 39MB

Courses:

• Certificate III in Jewellery Manufacture (Apprenticeship)
• Diploma of Engineering Technology (Jewellery)
• Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology (Jewellery)

Audio Transcript

The Engineering Jewellery section at NMIT is located at the picturesque Fairfield campus, only 7kms from Melbourne’s CBD. The new jewellery facility includes three new workshop areas fitted with state of the art equipment and offers 3 uniquely different course types.

The Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology – Jewellery, is a two year course consisting of an intense first year of 800 hours and 600 hours in the second.
The course is designed for individuals who wish to pursue or enhance careers in Jewellery, whether it’s working freelance, retail or directly for Jewellery manufacturers.

It is one of the few courses that concentrates predominantly on a hand working skill base offering a generous amount of creative control for the student as well as covering the vital Jewellery metal working skills including silver smithing, stone setting and enamelling.

Create and maintain a visual diary recording each step of the design process right through to the construction of your final creations.

“The great thing about the advanced diploma is being able to come to a beautiful campus and…” - Renne Wright (Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Jewellery)
“The teachers, they come from a variety of backgrounds and they can help you with any idea that you come up with.” - Anna Dusek (Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Jewellery)
“I love the fact that everyone is working on something different we’re all learning new different techniques, different ways of doing things.” - Sue Frisch (Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology - Jewellery)
“Over the 2 years I have learnt the fundamental basic skills of jewellery making” - Renne Wright
“I’ve started off with quite a basic skill level and now I’ve gained a lot more experience.” - Anna Dusek
“I’ve learnt that with everything you make there’s always more than one way to do it.” - Sue Frisch
“At the end of this course I’d really like to run my own business.” - Anna Dusek

Another exciting focus of the course is a 2 week public exhibition showcasing student creations from the year, where students work together to fund the exhibition even holding a auction night where they can put their own work up for grabs.

“The exhibition that the students have at the end of the year helps them focus on displaying their work. They get to work with other artists, like photographers and graphic designers to produce their invitation and their catalogue and it’s the beginning of launching their career so they get to showcase their work to gallery owners and future employers and also their own vocation.” - Lynley Traeger (Exhibition Coordinator)

The Certificate III Engineering Apprenticeship course is designed for individuals who have already gained employment in the Jewellery industry. Apprentices attend NMIT for 8 specific training weeks for the first 3 years of their 4 year apprenticeship. Each week consisting of 5 intense training days with set projects each block.

The training delivery method has been modernised to comply with industry standards, ensuring that apprentices not only excel in the practical assessments but also have a vivid understanding of all the technical aspects involved, through discussions and written assessments.

“The best thing about being an apprentice is that you’re out in the workforce, you’re getting training on the job and you get paid while you do it.” - Jenna Steel (3rd Year Apprentice)
“Throughout an apprenticeship we cover a huge range of different projects from ring manufacture, enamelling, alloying different metals.” - Joel Drew (3rd Year Apprentice)
“Each week we’re working on different projects, we’re learning different components for jewellery making.” - Nicole Davis (1st Year Apprentice)
“You get three years part time training at NMIT and your last 12 months is spent on the job.” - Jenna Steel
“Whether you’re at work or trade school, you’ve always got different sort of projects on the go.” - Joel Drew
“You couldn’t really ask for better training in the industry than here at NMIT.” - Nicole Davis

NMIT Fairfield is the only provider of this training in Victoria and takes on applicants from the Northern Territory & Tasmania.

3 short courses are also on offer which cater for beginner to intermediate jewellers and run after hours at the NMIT Jewellery department. Choose between Gem Setting, Introductory Jewellery and Leisure Jewellery depending on skill level and interest for an exciting hands on approach to Jewellery engineering.

So what are you waiting for? A challenging and rewarding career in jewellery awaits, and now you know who can get you there!

For more information on courses and enrolment contact the Jewellery department at NMIT on (03) 9269 8980 or visit the website at: www.nmit.vic.edu.au.