News Item

SUCCESS FOR FIRST GROUP OF BEAUTY THERAPISTS

September 27, 2011

West Gippsland’s first group of locally trained Beauty Therapists have plenty to smile about with the majority already finding jobs in the growing beauty services industry.

Community College Gippsland is offering the first Diploma course of its type in Gippsland in response to skill shortages in the industry.  Until now local people had to travel to Melbourne for this level of training.

Community College Gippsland Lead Beauty Trainer, Natasha Gray, said the first group of 8 had just completed the 18 month course at Community College Gippsland’s Warragul McMillan campus.

“Seven of the eight graduates are already working in businesses in Warragul, Drouin and Pakenham. This reflects their employability and the industry demand for people with higher level skills to work as beauty therapists.

“The course offers participants an opportunity to obtain skills in massage, reflexology, aromatherapy, and skin science, as well how to operate a small business.”

Ms Gray said this first course attracted a diverse range of students – school leavers, mature age people looking for a career change, as well as hairdressers seeking to extend their skills into beauty.

“Students Sara Mason and Samantha Tomkins are working as beauty therapists at Reflections Retreat in Drouin, while 18 year old Lauren Sharman has just got a job at Indira in Pakenham.  Janine Gardner who runs Hill Top Hair and Beauty at Drouin West completed the course to extend her skills in beauty. She has also employed student Jodie Hibbert to assist her business which is fantastic.

“This course is clearly meeting an untapped demand in the region.”

Community College Gippsland has established a dedicated beauty training salon at its Warragul McMillan campus which is open to the public to receive beauty services from students undertaking Certificate and Diploma course.

“We are inviting expressions of interest to run a second Diploma course in Beauty Therapy at Warragul.

West Gippsland’s first group of locally trained Beauty therapists hone their massage skills!
From left: Lauren Sharman, Jodie Hibbert, Sara Mason CCG Lead Beauty Trainer Natasha Gray and Samantha Tomkins treat Certificate III Beauty student Brianna Tate to a facial.

For further information contact:

Laura Carson - Ph: 03 5622 6000
Baw Baw Business Operations Manager
Community College Gippsland