Local Hairdressing Apprentice Christine Ferguson has scooped the bronze medal at the 2009 State Worldskills competition held in Perth on 7th November.
Worldskills is a national not for profit organisation which has been providing Australians with the opportunity to compete against their peers in their chosen trade for the past 28 years. The purpose is to promote skills development, excellence and celebrate outstanding achievements.
Christine is employed by local hair salon Cut Loose Hair Design and has recently completed off the job training in the Certificate III in Hairdressing with Central West TAFE.
Christine said, “It was great to get more experience in the competition environment. I was shocked to get a medal as this was the first time I had completed a cut and colour on stage and under competition pressure”.
Christine was encouraged to enter Worldskills by her TAFE lecturer Michele Edwards. Michele said, “Christine was an inspiration in the standard of work she presented and for professionalism in the way she handled the pressure of a state competition”.
Cut Loose Hair Design owner Teresa Italiano said, “Christine has trained very hard for this competition, and she deserves to be in the top three stylists in the State. Her dedication and passion for hairdressing is a great example to other young and upcoming stylists. She makes our team proud”.
Mr Bert Beevers, Managing Director of Central West TAFE said, “This is a great result for Christine, her employer and Central West TAFE and an excellent example of our positive collaboration with local industry”. Mr Beevers continued, “Our Lecturers are committed to supporting students to accomplish outstanding achievements and we hope that the continued success of Central West TAFE students will encourage others to take advantage of the great study and employment opportunities that exist locally”.
Christine was selected to represent the Midwest after a local ‘skill off’ was organised by Central West TAFE and she showed a high level of commitment to the competition by participating in regular training sessions in the 6 – 8 weeks leading up to the event.