Beauty salon hosts career development graduates
MORNINGSIDE – Youth career development programme exposes two beauty graduates to salon environment to better improve their employment opportunities.
The Afrika Tikkun Career Development Programme saw two aspiring graduates showcase their technique in a salon environment at the 4give Nail and Beauty Clinic in Morningside on 3 September.
Lesego Mahlangu and Shontelle Rabothata were chosen to provide beauty treatments at the salon allowing for a experience in a real-world environment. Both graduates performed phenomenally during training but working in a salon is a lot different, facilitator Linda Ndebele said.
The development programme is aimed at equipping underemployed and unemployed youth with salon training to compete and perform in a formal working environment. According to project coordinator Shaun Unterslak, real-world integration and exposure is an important part of a graduate’s journey.
“My aim is to find [them] formal employment for these incredible young people in suburban salons and through exposure, this will become a reality,” Unterslak said.
Ndebele added that the programme provides graduates with the tools that they need regardless of their background. “It is a tough industry but we want to show our girls that you can make it no matter where you come from.”
Both Lesego and Shontelle have expressed excitement for learning in a salon environment. According to Lesego, the exposure has given her a boost in confidence. “You learn most of the new things from the salon.”The training programme has allowed Rabothata to develop a passion. “I have always wanted to become a beautician for such a long time, I actually only wanted to become a nail technician so I was quite sceptical when it came to everything else. But now – hair and beauty? It’s mine.”
The three-month programme, funded by Afrika Tikkun, operates in Alexandra, Diepsloot and Orange Farm, “[it is] perfect for youth to enter – even those not holding a Matric certificate,” Unterslak said.
“The exit strategy for these women has remained to either operate their own home-based salons or to find formal employment in salons.”
Would you like to become part of their journey? Interested salon owners can contact Shaun Unterslak 072 517 8937.
Related articles:
https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/225162/tweets-3-000-young-people-participatein-youth-employment-service/
