|
“Box Hill Institute is an Aveda concept school. As Zuccis was Australia’s first concept salon it seemed fitting.”
“Unbelievable” guidance from teachers who had “a passion for the industry and getting things right” helped turn Box Hill Institute apprentice Craig O’Connell into an award-winning hairdresser.
Craig was named as a finalist in the 2002 Victorian Training Awards. It had been a busy year for Craig who was also named the Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Association’s Student of the Year.
“From my very first days at the Institute I was trained by Lina Robinson who was very passionate about the industry. The guidance I got was unbelievable. She and the other teachers were so pedantic about having things right, I became a better trained person as a result.”
Craig had the choice of doing his hairdressing training full-time over 12 months or doing an apprenticeship which would take slightly longer.
“In the end I decided to do the apprenticeship because it would allow me to get knowledge of the business and improve my communication and people skills. I attended school once a week and was able to put the things I had learned into practice which was a big advantage over those who did their training full-time.”
As an older apprentice Craig also challenged the perception of the industry that it was for school dropouts. “Generally salons want someone who is more professional and rounded,” he said. “If you are older they know you are likely to take it seriously.”
The self-paced, competency-based composition of the apprenticeship also worked in his favour. “I didn’t want to be at school for the rest of my life,” he said.
“Box Hill Institute is an Aveda concept school. As Zuccis was Australia’s first concept salon it seemed fitting. It also paid off in my training because I was able to combine the knowledge from work and school.”
18 March 2003
|
