Hairdressing apprentices in Shoalhaven will no longer have to travel to Wollongong to learn their trade.

In a first for the region, TAFE NSW Nowra is offering Certificate III in Hairdressing to apprentices and Certificate III in Beauty Services to non-apprentices.

The timing of the course aligns with the NSW Government’s announcement last year of 100,000 fee-free apprenticeships.

According to the Australian Industry Skills Committee a growing population and an increasing trend in male grooming have increased demand in hairdressing and beauty over the past five years.

Nationally, hair and beauty is a $7 billion industry employing more than 76,000 people. Industry revenue is expected to increase over the next 12 months, good news for the more than 20 hairdressing and barbering businesses in Nowra.

Until now, only high school students who accessed TAFE NSW Delivered Vocational Education and Training (TVET) were able to study hairdressing at TAFE NSW Nowra.

Scruples Hair and Beauty owner Sandra Bayer completed her apprenticeship more than 20 years ago, and was awarded the TAFE NSW Apprentice of the Year. This year she will celebrate 25-years owning one of the Shoalhaven’s leading hairdressing businesses. “In our 25-years in business we have enrolled 60 apprentices through TAFE NSW,” Mrs Bayer said.

“Local access to this training for apprentices from Nowra and Ulladulla is great news.” Mrs Bayer said while her apprentices were enrolled in TAFE NSW they had the benefit of learning from teachers who work directly with industry.

“The teachers are connected to the industry and keep up with the changing methods and trends – over the years I’ve seen the evidence of this training in my apprentices when they’re working at the salon.

“In an industry that is constantly changing, it’s important to have training that is ahead of the curve,” Mrs Bayer said.

TAFE NSW Hairdressing and Barbering Head Teacher Jenelle Charlton is looking forward to growing the training in the Shoalhaven. With 30 years in the industry and having coached a number of WorldSkills competitors, she is passionate about professionalism in the trade.

She said with the growth of the region the time was right for expansion, and to show how TAFE NSW had evolved in training delivery, as businesses had evolved.

“TAFE NSW teachers train employees from some of the region’s most respected salons,” Ms Charlton said. These are very professional and busy salons and their owners’ value training as an integral part of their business.”

“Yes, we have our own impressive facilities where hairdressing students attend, but there are also students who undertake a blended style of training where they mix workplace, online and on campus study,” she said. To find out more about new courses at TAFE NSW Nowra or to enrol for semester one 2019, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Media contact: Adam Wright, TAFE NSW Media Officer, 4421 9895, mobile 0466 375 552.