New Hairdressing Lecturer aims to address hair skills shortages

Territory businesses are facing one of the worst labour shortages the industry has seen, but that’s about to change with CDU Alice Springs set to meet industry demand by welcoming a new lecturer and new hairdressing course set to roll out.

This will be the first time that CDU Alice Springs campus will offer a new 12 month full-time Certificate III in Hairdressing to ensure qualified students are filling the local demands. A new full-time Hairdressing Lecturer will be employed from January and will provide practical hands-on training where the students can gain industry knowledge and expectations to ensure that students graduate job ready.

The Australian Government’s Department of Jobs and Small Business reports that there has been a shortage of hairdressers in Australia for more than 20 years.

The Australian Skills and Industry Committee has reported that employment levels for hairdressers had a notable decrease from 77,700 in 2019 to 60,500 in 2020. It predicts numbers will increase to 79,600 by 2024.

CDU Team Leader Beauty Services Tim Francis said the aim is to help alleviate skills shortages in the hairdressing industry by offering this new 12-month full-time course alongside CDU’s apprenticeship program.

“We are excited to reopen and reinvigorate our Alice Springs salon and hope that it will address some of the shortages the region is experiencing,” Mr Francis said.

“We are supporting industry where we can by ensuring graduates are equipped and prepared by delivering hands-on training to mimic real-life environments to support careers in salons.”

CDU’s new Lecturer in Hairdressing has over 30 years of industry experience having started her training in the profession at just 17.

Since then, she has owned multiple salons across Western Australia and brings a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to the role.

Julia Braddon even inspired two of her daughters to become hairdressers as they could see the passion and creative outlet it provided. Mrs Braddon said she is looking forward to bringing that passion to the classroom.

“To be in any industry for this long you have to love what you do, and I truly love what I do every day, I want to help students achieve their goals,” Mrs Braddon said.

“This course will offer students a taste of what it is like to work in the industry, but I also want to inspire the students to find their passion for their future career.”

Training will be provided through a combination of classroom-based theory lessons and practical delivery in the purpose-built training salon.

To learn more about your study options for Hairdressing visit cdu.edu.au/study/vet-hair-beauty or call 1800 061 963