Victoria University Polytechnic received top honours at Hair & Beauty Industry Association (HBIA) Awards, held on 11 November 2019. The awards reward and celebrate students, apprentices and teachers for excellence and passion in the industry.
VU Polytechnic staff and students received seven top prizes in their individual categories across all categories of make-up, beauty, hairdressing and barbering:
- Erin Boyd: Educator of the Year - Winner
- Joe Ayoub: Certificate II in Salon Assistant (SHB20216) - Winner
- Nicole Stevens: Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115) - Winner
- Bahjat Hajjar: Certificate III in Barbering (SHB30516) - Winner
- Chloe Wild: Certificate III in Make-Up (SHB30215) - Winner
- Kelsi Bermingham: Diploma of Beauty Therapy (SHB50115) - Encouragement Award
- Joseph Meakin: Certificate III Hairdressing Apprenticeship Stage 2 (SHB30416) - Encouragement Award.
The Educator of the Year award recognises and celebrates exemplary teaching and inspiration provided to students. This award is only awarded to one recipient and VU Polytechnic hairdressing teacher Erin Boyd received this top honour for her marvellous talent and inspiration.
The HBIA Student Apprentice and Educator awards recognises the hairdressing and beauty industry for state and federal governments and various training boards. The night celebrates the talents of individual’s teaching and learning within the hair and beauty industry and acknowledges the dedication and hard work of the thriving sector.
Nominated students who applied for an award underwent interviews in which a panel of industry representatives. The panel, which includes the 2019 Australian Hairdresser of the Year, reviewed nominated students against a multifaceted criteria weeks prior to the awards night.
Honourable mentions to Joe Ayoub on the Certificate II in Salon Assistant (SHB20216), despite the large number of entrants due to the eligibility of the course as part of the Free TAFE initiative, Joe was successful in securing the top prize.
While still a relatively new course to VU Polytechnic, Bahjat Hajjar received the Certificate III in Barbering award, displaying the competency and knowledge in which students accrue as part of their hands-on learning.
This is a huge success for our staff and students in securing ample nominations in recognition of the training, accompanied with the technical skills and industry-relevant knowledge that is cultivated at the Polytechnic.
Congratulations to all winners on their achievements!
