Reviving Forgotten Skills: How a Bootmaker Partnership is Creating Amazing Job Opportunities

TAFE Graduate Finds Pride in Crafting Iconic Australian Products

TAFE fashion design graduate Lachlan McNeill gets a buzz walking into an R.M.Williams store, knowing the role he’s played in bringing the famed products to customers.

Mr McNeill, 25, sews bags for the Aussie boot and apparel maker – a job he pinches himself about every day.

"When I actually saw the products on the shelf with price tags on it … I felt very proud," he said. "I actually made that duffel bag and I helped make that laptop case.

"This is more than a job to me because it’s something that I’m passionate about – I come to work and I enjoy what I’m doing. It’s just a really iconic Australian brand and I feel like there will be ongoing job opportunities here."

Partnership Between TAFE SA and R.M.Williams Drives Skill Revival

Mr McNeill’s employment is the result of a partnership between TAFE SA and R.M.Williams, in which fashion students are taught how to use industrial sewing machines.

R.M.Williams senior team leader in craft (bags) Karin Jacka said industrial sewing was a languishing skill, but one that would be in high demand as R.M.Williams expands its 550-strong workforce.

"We don’t want to lose these industrial sewing skills … but, potentially, we could lose the skills as industrial sewing machinists are getting older and retiring," she said.

"This partnership between R.M.Williams and TAFE is really important. The opportunities now, with the R.M.Williams expansion, are going to be amazing."

Ms Jacka, who started her career at the former Levi’s factory at Elizabeth, said working for an Australian business was incredibly rewarding.

"It’s such a great feeling knowing that I’m going to have a job at R.M.Williams for many years and so are these young ones coming up through the R.M.Williams and TAFE SA partnership," she said.