Thirteen young female Indigenous students who have successfully graduated from a pilot beauty and job skills course will be celebrated at a ceremony hosted at The Australasian College Broadway on Friday, September 10 at 11am.
Maureen Houssein-Mustafa, Founder and Chairman, the Australasian College Broadway
The event will be attended by Indigenous and Government dignitaries to honour the achievements of the students and to forge the way for successful future programs such as this one.
The course was designed by The Australasian College Broadway, and the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Academy (NASCA) with input from JobFind, to assist unemployed Indigenous youth discover and secure a new career path.
The training for the initial group of 16 students was fully funded by the College, which is the benchmark training organisation in the field of hair and beauty education in Australia.
The partnership was the first of its kind with NASCA, a group that uses sport to promote positive messages of completing school, being healthy and being a role model in the community.
Ms. Maureen Houssein-Mustafa, Founder and Chairman, The Australasian College Broadway said, “Last year we created a beauty course for young Indigenous women with the local Leichhardt Police as part of our giving back to the community initiative.
“Despite some challenges, we decided to partner with NASCA this year to create a more structured course. Our aim was to provide some fantastic opportunities to these young women and assist them to secure an even brighter future.
“Our staff and all involved are very proud of what the students have achieved in such a short period of time, and we’re delighted to be celebrating this today amongst such distinguished guests.”
The 12 week course taught participants manicures and pedicures, how to service clients, first aid in the workplace, drug and alcohol education, CV writing skills, interview skill techniques, grooming and workplace readiness.
Upon graduation, the College has armed participants with the ability to either set up their own service within a salon and be self employed, or secure a full time role within the Industry. Excitingly, six participants have elected to continue their studies towards a university pathway with the College.
NASCA CEO, Mr. Charles Prouse said, “It’s easy to see that the commitment of these wonderful young ladies and the College has really paid off over the last three months.
“The success of this pilot program is exactly the outcome we we’re looking for. It sets precedence for other initiatives in the community that can be modelled upon it, providing Indigenous youth with the kind of opportunities that will benefit them throughout their life. We look forward to continuing our work with the College and building further upon this foundation.”
At the event, entertainment will be provided by colourful Indigenous Act, ‘Microwave Jenny’, and dignitaries in attendance will include Bernadette Selfe of the Aboriginal Business Development Enterprise and Regional Development Division, NSW Government, Con Kittos, CEO Jobfind, Janine Pitt, State Manager of DEEWR NSW, and Jason Glanville, CEO, National Centre of Indigenous Excellence and others.
The award-winning Australasian College Broadway, which has also been VET Fee-Help approved, offers state of the art facilities that promote a high level educational environment.
The college has excellent facilities including over 66 hairdressing stations, 40 beauty areas, 28 nail, 10 pedicure and 40 makeup stations that run busily during days, evenings and weekends.
With a staff of 90+ multicultural educators and staff, who among them speak 28 different languages, Maureen has selected the very best team of professionals and Industry achievers.
Many of the staff have worked internationally which allows them to provide students with innovative and extensive training backed by their years of Industry experience.