Sanoobar Vincent grew up in a small village in northern Pakistan and moved to Australia in 2017 with her husband. As a new migrant to Australia with limited English, she enrolled in the Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) enabling her to not only improve her English, but also go on to complete further study and open her own beauty salon.

Sanoobar said, “My English was very poor when I moved to Australia, I could hardly form a basic sentence, so I was very happy that I found the AMEP Program at TAFE NSW Blacktown.

“Since joining the AMEP, my skill levels and confidence have increased. The TAFE NSW teachers gave me a lot of encouragement and guidance so that I am where I am today; they were great and very supportive.”

Once Sanoobar completed the 510 free hours, her English had improved to a level that she was able to enroll in further study of her dream industry, beauty therapy.

“After completing the AMEP course, I enrolled in the Certificate II in Salon Assist at TAFE NSW Mount Druitt because I was able to understand the content of the course and engage with teachers in both course related and social conversations.

“I was determined to open my own hair and beauty salon business in Australia as it has been a dream of mine. With a bit of luck and hard work, I have opened Sanoobar Beauty Salon in Seven Hills. I have also hired casual staff to assist me as my business is growing pretty fast now.”

Sanoobar Beauty Salon offers a range of beauty treatments for its client ranging from massages, make-up, threading and henna (styles include Indian, Pakistani, Sudanese and Arabic) and facials. Since opening in September, Sanoobar Beauty Salon has received five star reviews from its clients on Google.

“I would like to thank the staff at TAFE NSW Blacktown for helping to build me as a person, not only with my English but as a whole new person who has only been in Australia for a year and a half.”

Sanoobar cannot speak highly enough of about the AMEP, and she encourages newly arrived migrants to Australia, who wish to improve their English, to enrol in the program.

“I would encourage everyone to learn new skills at TAFE NSW for a successful life in Australia. I am very confident now in dealing with and understanding my clients.

The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) covers language and literacy training, as well as life skills such as how to open a bank account, access healthcare or find a job. The training is delivered by TAFE NSW teachers.

Funded by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training, TAFE NSW is the main provider of AMEP in NSW, providing up to 510 hours of free English language tuition to eligible migrants and humanitarian entrants to assist them with settlement in Australia.

To register for the program visit www.tafensw.edu.au/amep or to learn more about studying beauty at TAFE NSW visit www.tafensw.edu.au

Media contact: Teresa Lane, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner 9796 5476, mobile 0412 773 887