CDU waives student fees for hair and beauty apprentices

To encourage more students to study hair, beauty and barbering in 2022, Charles Darwin University (CDU) will waive student fees for apprentices enrolled in these courses to assist employers and apprentices.

From Semester 2, 2022 all fees will be waived for all apprentices enrolling in the Certificate III in Hairdressing and Barbering as well as the Certificate III in Beauty.

This will also include any new unit enrolments for existing apprentices from this date.

CDU Asia Pacific College of Business and Law Dean David Low said the new initiative would better support the industry and ensure a first-class education continues to be provided for students.

“The last couple of years have been very hard on the hair and beauty industries and Charles Darwin University would like to help assist in the recovery,” Professor Low said.  

“Education through the apprenticeships program plays a vital role in maintaining a constant stream of new talent to the Hair, Barbering and Beauty industries across the Territory.”

CDU Team Leader – Hair and Beauty Services Tim Francis said CDU was keen to support the industry in taking on more apprentices to support a pipeline of workers ready to fill vital positions.

“For some businesses, the decision to take a new apprentice is a difficult one and the education costs associated with trade school often play a significant part in the decision-making process,” Mr Francis said

“We know that fees may deter businesses from taking on new apprentices, which in turn may slow down workforce recovery efforts, which is why we are removing the barriers and making it easier on businesses and apprentices.”

“There is a huge shortage of hairdressers, barbers and beauty professionals in the Territory, so the more students we can get in to study, the more we can get out to industry and fill the gaps.”

Students will still need to pay for their tools of the trade and learning resources but employers will now not need to pay their apprentices' trade school education fees.

Apprenticeship Training Programs for Certificate III in Hairdressing, Certificate III in Barbering and Certificate III in Beauty Services are offered at Palmerston and Alice Springs campuses.

CDU students train out of training salons in Palmerston and Alice Springs, which mimic a real-life environment and are open for public appointments.

Members of the public can support the training and education of students by booking an appointment at the salon in Palmerston and Alice Springs here: www.cdu.edu.au/vocational-education-training/vet-businesses/hair-and-beauty-salons

The Hair and Beauty fee waiver is only available to domestic Australian students.