Course to be a cut above

A FORMER boardroom space at Barkly Square has been transformed into a hairdressing salon by BGT Jobs and Training staff.

After six months of work, the doors of the organisation’s Barkly Hair Institute were opened for the public as part of an open day showcasing the job provider’s new barbering course set to launch next month.

Touted as the first course of its kind for Ballarat, BGT business development manager Julie Butler said the program is about filling a training gap in the region.

“There’s a shortage of training for barbers in Ballarat and young people are having to go to Bendigo or Geelong for training,” she said.

“We spoke to barbers and found there’s a need for it. We’ll do a class of 10 people every 10 months so they’ll get their qualifications within that time.

“We want to get youngsters in Ballarat and keep them here. We’re hoping to start from the first week of August.”

Following completion of the 10-month program, students will receive their Certificate III in barbering.

Local barber Vincent Fritze will head up the course as head trainer and assessor, and was on hand to meet potential participants during the open day on Monday morning.

Cutting hair for about six years, Mr Fritze has been a mainstay at Ironbark Barbery following his move to Ballarat in November 2021, and received his Cert III at his hometown of Tamworth.

Mr Fritze said he’s excited to teach a new generation of haircutters.

“I really want to not only teach them the skills but give them industry knowledge and a lot of my experience and knowledge that I’ve learned in the last six years,” he said.

“I want them to be the best barbers they can be. With BGT being who they are, we’ll be looking to make them work-ready and employable people.

“[BGT] have really let me take the lead on the course and have really helped in all other aspects of policy, procedure, renovation, so I can focus on training and assessment.”

Mr Fritze expects classes to be held on Mondays and Tuesdays, and will still be a familiar face at Ironbark.

“It’s important to still be in industry rather than disconnecting and just teaching,” he said.

“To have a foot in both worlds will help me keep up to date with trends so I can give students the best idea of what it’s like right now.”