Education/training
OYAP student cut out for successFor a Toronto student, an apprenticeship program has put him a cut above others dreaming of a career as a hairstylist. And a growing list of regular clients has given him the vote of confidence that he has the skill needed to succeed. AUNIE EDWARDS |
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 [ 2002-07-24 ] |
"(OYAP) will help me out a lot," says Andre Campbell (left), with supervisor Rudolfo Gairey (right) at Lucky G's salon.
At just 18, Andre Campbell has discovered a career he loves and is well on his way to fulfilling his dream of one day opening his own salon in Toronto.
Campbell recalls following his father to work as a youngster and watching him cut hair.
"One day, I picked up his tools and cut my cousin's hair. Then I started cutting my own hair," says the William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute student. "I just went from there."
Thanks to the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), Campbell has been able to earn credits toward his high school diploma while the hours he has worked at a job placement are being applied to certification in his chosen trade.
OYAP also offers students a chance to earn a salary and receive financial assistance towards the purchase of necessary tools and clothing.
"I find it really good," Campbell says of OYAP. "It will help me a lot. I would recommend it to others wanting to get started on their career."
Campbell has accumulated more than half the work hours he needs to complete before he can write a licensing exam. Until then, he remains committed to working hard and to taking courses to upgrade his skills in colours, perms and other techniques.
His father is pleased with his commitment to the trade. "My dad is glad I know what I want to do and am working toward it," says Campbell, whose dedication and willingness to learn have also impressed his employer.
"People trust him," says Rodolfo Gairey of Lucky G's salon at Vaughan Road and Bathurst Street. "Not everybody can do it. You have to have the personality, the confidence and the will to succeed. You learn as you go along."
He believes Campbell has the people skills needed to build a clientele. "I've been in the business 22 years, and the biggest part of all is about people," Gairey says. "They need to feel comfortable with you -- you need to build that trust so they'll want to come back."
While co-op classes allow students to explore a career, OYAP allows them to take the next step.
"Andre is a very focused individual who knows what he wants to do," says Leslie Whiler, co-op teacher at Campbell's school. "It's rare you get someone able to cut hair as an apprentice."
More and more students are inquiring about the apprenticeship program. "For students who know what they want to do, OYAP is fabulous," Whiler says. "They can get working on the standards (required for certification or licensing) now, at the end of high school. That means they're not starting from square one when they graduate.
"Because they already know what's expected of them, they're able to set goals. There's an end in sight."
(Aunie Edwards is a Guelph-based freelance writer who can be reached at a.edwards@rogers.com.)
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