Chester Hill High School student, Mokhalad Al-Ajwadi always knew he wanted to be a barber and now with the help of the TAFE NSW Bankstown Youth Engagement Strategy (YES) Barbering Program, he has the skills to turn his dream into a career.

The eight day YES Barbering Program, saw 10 students from Chester Hill High School learn a broad range of barbering services, including cutting, styling and customer service skills in a simulated hair salon at TAFE NSW Bankstown.

Aiming to engage young people who are at risk of disengaging from school, the program provided students with the employability and foundational skills to encourage them to re-engage in their studies.

Mr Al-Ajwadi who currently works part time at Alex Barber Salon in Bass Hill said, “Ever since I was young I’ve always wanted to be a barber. I like everything about barbering, it’s a form of art that I’m creating with someone’s hair. Creating art in the hair makes the customer feel good, so it makes me feel good.

“Before I started the YES Barbering Program I had concerns and was a bit worried about coming to study at TAFE NSW, but the teachers are very friendly and I like the fact that I get treated like an adult.

“Even though I’ve been working in the industry, doing the YES Barbering Program I have learnt new things such as learning how to trim long hair and how to do layers. I’ve also learnt how to do fades and over combs.

“The program at TAFE NSW Bankstown has been a really good experience, especially as this is my last year at school.”

TAFE NSW Hairdressing Teacher Teresa Britton said, “The YES Barbering Program aims to help students re-engage with learning, by exploring further education and training options available at TAFE NSW.

“During the two weeks students learnt a range of practical skills in our hairdressing salons, showing them what it’s like to work in a barber shop.”

Finishing year ten at the end of the year, Mr Al-Ajwadi plans to begin his barbering apprenticeship and enrol in a Certificate III in Barbering at TAFE NSW Bankstown in 2020. 

Australia’s largest training provider, TAFE NSW offers over 1200 courses, from certificates to degrees. Many can be studied online via TAFE Digital, when and where it suits students. Visit www.tafensw.com.au or call 131 601.

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