In collaboration with the Australian Hairdressing Council, TAFE NSW is upskilling qualified hairdressers in barbering, as part of a new initiative to meet growing skills needs.
The hairdressing and barber industry contributes more than $3 billion in hairdressing services to the Australian economy per year.
As the industry continues to grow, there’s a greater need for a more versatile workforce that’s able to cater for barbering, focused on men’s grooming needs, as well as traditional hairdressing.
In response to the skills gap, TAFE NSW and the Australian Hairdressing Council have delivered Project Barber, a pilot initiative to provide hair professionals who already hold the Certificate III in Hairdressing with the opportunity to gain a Certificate III Barbering.
Newcastle local Kim Isenhood has her own hairdressing business and completed the ten-week course to build her confidence and expand her skill set.
“My experience in the program was phenomenal, the quality of the training was faultless. My teacher’s dedication to their craft and depth of skills reignited my passion for my industry,” Kim said.
“Project Barber has shown me how to produce the latest on trend men’s haircuts, meaning I no longer need to say ‘sorry, I can’t’ when shown inspiration photos. This program has expanded my business opportunities – my male clientele is growing every week.”
“The program also gave me the opportunity to connect and network with other industry professionals, through the sharing of knowledge, hair models, systems and processes of our industry. I even reconnected with my very first ever friend from TAFE NSW from over a decade ago, when we were first year apprentice hairdressers!”
TAFE NSW Project Coordinator Julie Searl recognises the importance of collaborating with industry.
“Delivering Project Barber demonstrates how our training reflects the needs of industry and skills our students to cater for a more diverse clientele. It’s an important path to upskilling our existing hairdressing workforce so the industry can continue to thrive,” Julie said.
Melissa Kalan, CEO of the Australian Hairdressing Council, expressed pride in the successful collaboration between TAFE NSW and the AHC, highlighting its pivotal role in nurturing talent and fostering skill development in the hairdressing industry.
“We are immensely proud of our collaboration with TAFE NSW, which plays a crucial role in equipping hair professionals with the skills they need to excel in their craft. Programs like Project Barber not only enhanced technical abilities and career opportunities but also delivered tremendous value both professionally and personally,” Melissa said.
IMAGE | Newcastle hairdresser, Kim Isenhood.
