Whether you know it as Sydney Tech, Sydney TAFE, East Sydney or STC,  TAFE NSW Sydney Institute has been training people in the trades, professions and service industries for 120 years, since 1891.

Did you know Sydney Institute was the first site for UTS, UNSW, the Powerhouse Museum as well as Sydney Boys High School and Sydney Technical High School?

With over 900,000 graduates including Charles Kingsford Smith, Alex Perry, Ita Buttrose, Donna Hay and Paul Keating – Sydney’s TAFE, Sydney Institute, has trained Australians who have shaped our lives.

Its surprising history features in this exhibition where you will see artifacts and photos that have never before been on public display.

View firsthand the latest techniques and technology used to train our students in areas such as engineering, architecture, fashion, hospitality and electronics.

We will have beautiful designs from our graduating students showcasing the technical demands of the modern design industry as well as video displays such as My Favourite Tool, a humorous look at the passion that teachers have for their trades.

Explore our specially designed iPad adventure that will be launched at the exhibition: Sydney Institute’s iTime brings time travel to the iPad. Immerse yourself in the astonishingly rich 120 year history of NSW TAFE then imagine the future through ‘iTime’, exclusively on the iPad.

You’ll also be able to view our photo journal, A Day in the Life of… tracing the ups and downs of teaching at TAFE.

You can add to our history by telling us your memories of teaching or learning at TAFE, by writing in our digital guest book, Share Your Story.

There’ll be lots to see and enjoy in this first ever major historical exhibition of TAFE NSW – an organisation that teaches over 300,000 students every year.

So come along to the building that housed Sydney’s first Technological Museum, The Muse, and explore Sydney’s industrial and educational history.

The "Sparkies, Foodies and Fashionistas" Exhibition celebrates the 120 year history of Sydney Institute, and is on display throughout the month of August. For more information, visit www.sit.det.nsw.edu.au/imagine.