Future barbers lend a hand
THE Gordon has once again teamed up with disability support provider genU and its employment service MatchWorks to provide free haircuts to Geelong’s jobseekers.
This year’s Free Haircuts Day event was held last month at genU’s Eastern Hub Community Centre in East Geelong and was, for the first time, expanded to include members of the public as well as MatchWorks participants, with almost 40 people receiving a professional-looking cut.
Over the two years that the initiative has been running, barbering students at The Gordon have provided more than 200 free haircuts to MatchWorks participants across the Geelong region.
The initiative was created by MatchWorks employer engagement partner Brendan Chandler to help the participants linked to the employment service look and feel their best without adding any additional financial pressures.
For The Gordon’s budding barbers, the initiative provides valuable hands-on experience which helps them meet their course requirements and get a sense of what it is like working in a barber shop.
“It’s been a true privilege to teach every student who has come through our doors at The Gordon, and I couldn’t be prouder of how much they’ve learned about barbering in such a short time,” The Gordon’s barbering instructor Ben Pratt said.
“Getting to know each of the students has been wonderful, and though our time together may be brief, the memories and good times we’ve shared will last forever.
“With their journey as barbering students coming to an end next month, this haircutting event was a great celebration of all they’ve achieved.”
He thanked Mr Chandler, the staff at MatchWorks and its participants for giving The Gordon’s students real-world experience cutting hair for members of the community.
genU chief executive officer Clare Amies said the organisation was always looking at innovative ways to foster genuinely inclusive communities.
“This is a fantastic initiative that helps us reach this goal on a number of levels,” she said.
“MatchWorks prides itself on helping participants in many ways, so they have the skills, support and confidence they need to enter the workforce and follow their passion.
“I want to thank The Gordon and their band of barbers for making a difference for people in our community.”