When Gosford local, Scott Lampitt, escorted his grandmother for a haircut, he didn’t expect a two-for-one deal – book a haircut, gain an apprenticeship.
Already working towards a Certificate II in Salon Assistant at TAFE NSW Gosford, Lampitt took a chance to ask if the salon was currently hiring while his Nan enjoyed a pampering session.
Within a week of interviewing for the position, he had officially started an apprenticeship at Great Cuts Hair and Beauty in Gosford.
Hairdressing has been a long-held passion for the 29-year-old, who was inspired to finally follow his passion following his Nan’s Alzheimers Dementia diagnosis last year.
“Life is too short; you should be doing something you love,” Lampitt said.
“During COVID especially, there was a lot of time to reflect on where I was heading, did I like my job? I realised I hadn’t given hairdressing a chance.”
After a significant decrease in employment numbers following the pandemic, the hairdressing industry is experiencing a skill shortage.
However, there is good news on the horizon, with the Australian Industry and Skills Committee projecting an increase from 60,500 to 79,600 workers by 2024.
With male hairdressers only making up 15 percent of the industry, Lampitt said people might find hairdressing a surprising career choice.
“Hair is a form of expression, and I wanted to be creative and also help people to feel better about themselves,” he said.
TAFE NSW Head Teacher, Kim Koopman, said the Certificate II in Salon Assistant is a great way to explore hairdressing as a career pathway that appeals to employers looking for apprentices.
“There is a shortage of skilled hairdressers in the industry; Scott is a great example of the opportunities available for anyone thinking of reskilling or changing up their careers,” Koopman said.
“With the extension of the Federal Government’s Boosting Apprenticeships Wage Subsidy until September 2021, now is the perfect time for salons to consider how apprenticeships could fill skills gaps or expand their businesses.”
Source:
Media release, Apr 16
TAFE NSW