WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

The Federal Government has introduced a new initiative to help our new apprentices with the financial burden of buying their tools. Under the New Apprenticeship Initiative, all hairdressing apprentices who have signed their papers with the Department of Education and Training after 1st July 2006 are entitled to $800 (including GST) worth of tools after completing 3 months in the job. These tools are supplied for their exclusive use over the next 6 months after which they then become the apprentice's permanent property. Visit the www.tfyt.com.au website for details.

What a great deal! As a scissor maker and expert, I have been lecturing in Sydney TAFE colleges for 17 years. Over that time it has been my constant annoyance that new apprentices are handicapped with cheap tools. You can't expect a junior to learn to cut with a scissor that doesn't cut well in the first place. That just makes it doubly as difficult to learn. How many apprentices have left hairdressing thinking "I can't do this" when it wasn't them it was their tool? Now apprentices can afford to use scissors made to sharpen, made to last 10 years and capable of performing all advanced hair cutting techniques. The old reason for using cheap scissor, "it's only for cutting doll's hair" doesn't cut it anymore because most dolls are real hair nowadays. Even if they are cutting synthetic hair, a decent pair of scissors is made to sharper and can be serviced after the doll cutting is over.

HOW THE "TOOLS FOR YOUR TRADE" INITIATIVE WORKS: After you have booked an appointment with a New Apprenticeship Centre (visit www.newapprenticeships.gov.au to find a centre near you) you will be visited by a Dept of Education and Training consultant. Part of their job is to explain to both the employer and apprentice the details of the New Apprentice Initiative, including how TFYT (Tools for your Trade Initiative) works, give you some printed information and sign you up. After three months, you as the employer will receive an Employer Verification Form to confirm the eligibility of the apprentice. After sending this in to TFYT an "Employers Purchase Verification" form and a plastic voucher is sent to you which can be used to purchase the tools. The voucher is valid for 3 months only. You will then need to take this form and the voucher with you to see a registered TFYT supplier. Suppliers can be found via the TFYT website search page. The "Employers Purchase Verification" form is used to itemise the tools purchased, their price and description and must be signed by both the employer and the supplier. The supplier gives you the tools, an itemised receipt and sends the form into TFYT and is reimbursed for the purchase. If you need to split the purchase between more than one supplier, you will need extra copies of the form. Most TFYT suppliers will have a kit ready for you to buy at a special price. The supplier is obligated under the initiative to provide clear warranty and conditions with the tools supplied. Since scissors are going to be the major part of your tool kit I would recommend reputable companies capable of factory quality servicing to comply with these obligations. I would also recommend qualified expert advice to help you make the right choices and fit the scissors correctly to the apprentice's hand.

FOR THE NEW APPRENTICE: Your employer is responsible for choosing a good tool kit for you and giving you the right advice. The kit is for your exclusive use although most employers will require you to keep it in the salon until you have completed a further 6 months of your apprenticeship. At that time TFYT will send you an Ownership Verification form which confirms that you have taken ownership of the complete kit as itemised. If you leave before this time the employer will keep the kit for the use of other New Apprentices or pre-vocational and work experience students.

WHAT CAN YOU BUY

I discussed this matter with many head teachers from TAFE and with the people at TFYT. Part of the criteria is that the tools should come with a manufactures warranty, exchange conditions and back up service. Also it shouldn't include any consumable items, so that means clips, brushes, combs etc. are not included. The reason for this is that after 9 months the tool kits is supposed to be handled to the apprentice intact and in good condition. A lot of clips wouldn't last that long. Clothing (except aprons), product, carry bags, stools or items outside the guidelines listed on the www.tfyt.com.au website also can't be part of the kit. So what can? Obviously the first thing that comes to mind is a cutting scissor. Scissors are my expertise so I can give you some tips here. Cheap scissors come without warranty and are not made to be serviced or sharpened so shouldn't be purchased as part of the tool kit. A good quality cutting scissor should be capable of performing all advanced cutting techniques such as slide cutting, chipping and feathering. This way the apprentice will be able to learn all techniques with it and their first scissor will serve as a spare cutting scissor in the future. It should also be capable of being sharpened to new standards many times. In my shop in Darling Harbour Sydney we sell over 20 brands of scissors with over 1,000 different models available. Quality cutting scissors with warranties start at about $250, not many cheaper scissors would fit into the TFYT guidelines. It is not necessary for an apprentice to start with a very expensive cutting scissor. Senior's scissor choices reflect the cutting style and technique they use, so don't spend over $500. The apprentice first cutting scissor should suit the finger length of the user. This is so the fingers are not cut easily while learning. Another very important point is that the finger hole size should be correctly adjusted with finger ring inserts to the hand size of the apprentice. If the holes are too large the apprentice will find to difficult to hold and palm the scissor and drops can occur easily. So it is obvious that the apprentice needs to be present when the cutting scissor is chosen so it can be correctly fitted. Buying the same scissor you use is NOT the right choice as hand sizes differ greatly from person to person. My advice would be to buy a convex scissor, with offset handles and with an adjustment assembly so the apprentice can learn to adjust the scissor easily. So with $800 to spend what else do you need? Talk it over with your supplier and see what they have to offer. Although many salons supply clippers, most hairdressers also have their own set. Choose a quality clipper, most come with at least 12 months warranty. Be careful here, some clippers sold in Australia are not serviceable, spare parts are not available and the blade quality is poor and can't be adequately sharpened. Decent clipper, budget another $100 or so. As for other items you can include, I would consider a good quality thinning shear. The reason being that a good thinning shear with correct maintenance and servicing can last 20 years. For versatility consider a shear that removes 35%. It is also easier to learn to use for apprentices than a 45% thinning shear. Budget another $250 to $350. Other items, professional Blow dryer, straightening iron, long blade or barbering scissors, apron, holsters or scissor cases, styling razors and cutting razors. The TFYT voucher is only valid for 3 months and you can not exchange it for cash or get change, so make a quality choice.

 

 

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