Cosmetology is not a career for dropouts. Rather, it’s one that many intelligent and passionate young people get into because of a sheer desire to make others smile and look good.
These were the sentiments expressed by several students on Saturday as they pampered people for free at the Lawns, Warrens.
This was one of the activities during the St Michael North Development Foundation’s Women Empowerment event hosted by Democratic Labour Party candidate Kim Tudor.
Caribbean Cosmetology Academy student Recee Mason has been passionate about hair and nails from age 14. She braided her friends’ hair at school, but it was only a year ago that she decided to get her certification.
“I had tried other areas but I said to myself, ‘Why not stick to something that you enjoy rather than what somebody else thinks you should do?’,” she said.
Sharrice Harrison, 20, is also a student of the Mall 89 Roebuck Street institution, and she has been a fan of the beauty industry for many years.
“This is a good area to be in, but a lot of people think that cosmetology is for dropouts. Some people might only be in it for the money but it’s a good choice if you know how to deal and care for people. It puts a smile on faces,” she said.
Harrison also received the highest points in the Hairdressing Level 2 category during the preliminary round of the World Skills competition and she hopes to represent Barbados in Russia next year.
The school is one of many that participate in the Caribbean Vocational Qualification programme with the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Council. (TG)