When DH and I decided to start a family, the idea was always that I would be a SAHM until the kids started school, and use those first few years to do further study and get my qualifications, so that when they started school I could get back into work - but in a career rather than just a crappy part-time job I had no interest in.
DH has been doing night courses at TAFE in order to build his resume and find better-paid work, and I'm so proud of him. We've been talking the last few nights, and he has been really supportive of me finally taking the plunge and pursuing my education.
Ever since I can remember, my 'dream job' (as far as realistic goals go, I mean I'd prefer to be a rock star but somehow I don't think that'll ever happen!) has been hairdressing (and beauty therapy).
DH is more than happy for me to go in this direction, as it's an actual trade qualification kwim? Something useful, that will actually get me a job rather than being a useless piece of paper to stick in my resume.
The course is quite expensive (around $10k for Cert III, I did Cert II in high school but would happily pay for it if I had to do it over again), but DH says he's more than happy to pay for it if it's going to make me a qualified hairdresser and give me the opportunity to get full-time employment. So I'm not bothering to pursue an apprenticeship (which is usually how students pay for this course) if it's not necessary. From what I have researched, I think it's possible to do Cert III without an apprenticeship (ie full-time TAFE, 3 days a week), but I just have a couple of concerns.
First of all - I don't know if it's true that I won't need any 'extras' like work experience to get the qualification. Every hairdresser I know has done an apprenticeship, but the kids, I feel, are too young for me to go into basically full-time work (combined with study) right now. But I want to get started on my education ASAP. Has anybody, or does anybody know of anybody, who has become a fully certified hairdresser *without* doing an apprenticeship (ie just TAFE and getting work experience in their salons? We have a fully functional hair salon at the TAFE here, is that enough to mark all my assessments etc?)?
Second - Is there a way I can do hairdressing externally, so I don't have to put the girls in daycare for so many hours a week? I would prefer to do the study at home and organise days to go in and do practical assessments etc, so I'm not paying for childcare that I don't really need to. I'm confident that I wouldn't need a classroom environment in order to study - I can easily motivate myself to hit the books after they go down for the night/while I have a quiet moment etc, and I would prefer to be at home with my babies if I can.
Third - if I *do* have to put the girls in daycare to study, what kinds of assistance can I get from Centrelink/FAO, and approximately how out-of-pocket will I be? DH says $10k for the courses is no problem, but adding three days a week of childcare for 2 kids is just way beyond our budget, especially if it's already stretched to the limit to pay for TAFE. I'm sure Centrelink/FAO would be able to help out with that, but I just don't know how much. I'm going to make an appointment to talk to them once I figure out a bit more about my course options (ie can I do it externally, when can I start etc), but in the meantime any experience you girls have had with juggling childcare and study would be helpful.
Oh, and fourth - Is it Cert III or Cert IV that means you're fully qualified? I always thought it was Cert IV, whenever I see ads in the job section of the paper they always ask for Cert IV hairdressers, but the TAFE site reckons Cert III means you're fully qualified? And I'm not sure my local TAFE offers Cert IV, only Cert III, so wt..?
If you managed to get through all that, you deserve a chocolate Thanks in advance for any advice!!
Glamourcide, i actually work in an Australian Apprenticeships Centre
Not sure how it works over there in QLD but I'll give you the WA speel anyway XD
First, you don't need any other qualifications to study for a trade. Most of the younger kids that are going work experience are doing it mostly to get their foot in the door in the hopes that the employer they're doing the work experience with will put them on as an apprentice.
Over here it isn't possible to become a hairdresser without doing an apprenticeship. To become a qualifed tradesperson you need to complete a certain amount of years of on the job training along with TAFE units to be fully qualified. Hairdressing (over here) has a 36 month term (3 years). Usually that's made up of attanding tafe once a week for the 1st 2 years of your apprenticeship or doing a block - so attending TAFE once a year but for 3 straight weeks for example while you're working on the job and gaining every day practical experience. It is also a requirement that you are supervised by a senior/fully qualified trades person at all times so you can learn from them while you're doing your on the job stuff - and to make sure you don't turn anyones hair green
Cert III means that you are a fully qualified trades person.
The beauty of an apprenticeship though is that you'll be saving 10K, you'll also be getting paid to study for your dream job & if you're really lucky your employer may pay for your training. Employers here will do alot of an apprentice that are willing to put their back into it.
As for beauty therapy there are traineeships that you can do with an employer that are possible to do part-time, but instead of taking say 12 month they're take 18. There are only at a certificate 1 or 2 level though.
I think your best bet would be to call your local TAFE and ask them for the number of an Australian Apprenticeship Centre over there so you can suss out how everything works. I am pretty sure that MEGT Australia is an AAC over there, but not 100%!
ETA, just thought I'd add also that the goverment over here has little "perks" for apprentices to help them along their way. Apprentice Hairdresses are entitled to a Wage Top Up, which is Direct Debited into their bank account every 6 months for the first 2 years of the apprenticeship. It's a $500 payment. There is also another $500 payment called the Trade Scholarship that you get at the end of your first and second year. You are also entitled to a payment to cover for "tools" as well - this usually came as a voucher to spend at specified suppliers but you now get it as cash since the gov as changed it around (which imo isn't good because instead of buying tools most kids are going to flog it on a weekend out!) it's probably not much, especially when you have your own little brood but it would def help to be put towards day care etc.
Help!
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