22 Nov 2017
By Danielle Buckley // Canterbury-Bankstown Express
BANKSTOWN - An innovative pilot program is helping students cut their teeth in the workforce, giving them direction, life skills — and dapper haircuts too.
Fifteen students from Punchbowl Boys' High School and East Hills Boys High School have just graduated from TAFE NSW Bankstown's Youth Engagement Strategy Barbering Program.
The program is designed to give students, aged 15 years and older, who are at risk of disengaging a "taste" of different careers.
"It's non-accredited so they don't come out with a certificate, but they come out knowing if they want to do it," TAFE NSW community engagement co-ordinator Myriam Bahari said.
"Hopefully it ignites a fire in their belly for them to stay at school and show them there's light at the end of the tunnel."
Punchbowl Boys' Year 10 students Lucas Tekii and Eric Ulutui have both finished the 10-week program and enjoyed that it was "hands on".
Lucas is now hoping to start a school-based apprenticeship in barbering. Eric does not want to be a barber but said he was grateful to have "life skills" that he could use to help his grandmother cut his six siblings' hair.
Relieving head teacher for TAFE NSW Lucy Mercia said apart from learning skills, the students also came out with more confidence.
"They've loved it. I had tears in my eyes when I was reading some of the feedback," she said.
So confident were the teachers in their students' new-found skills, that some even jumped into the chair for a trim. Deputy principal of Punchbowl Boys' Chris Kazanis was given a new do by student Anthony Pele.
"I'm going to go home looking a hell of a lot better than when I came in, all thanks to Tony," he said.
Punchbowl Boys High School student Lucas Tekii is one of 15 boys who has graduated from the TAFE Youth Engagement Strategy, which helps kids at risk of dropping out of school learn employment skills.
DISCLAIMER NOTE: The photographs shared in this post were taken by Angelo Velardo. To access the original article please click here.