Productivity Places Program

The Productivity Places Program has been under fire lately. edward beale steps up to defend the program and tell why edward beale training has joined the government initiative.

edward beale responds to Industry Alert article which appeared in HAIRBIZ Aug/Sep edition
Productivity Places Program
Threatening the hairdressing industry
By Ruth Brown

Let me say after 50 years in the hairdressing industry, the only thing threatening the future of hairdressing is the hairdressers themselves.

Firstly the government should be congratulated by taking the initiative and making funds available for training.

Ruth’s claim that PPP is aimed at job seekers is probably correct but why not? School leavers are not actually flying through the door looking for apprenticeships and as the price of a course can be as high as $20,000 for a Cert 111 it is out of reach for most, who cannot find a position as an apprentice.

Another point Ms Brown made, was that the hairdressing industry has not been considered or approached. Well that’s probably a good thing, or we would most likely still be discussing it when the next election comes around, waiting for hairdressers to agree.

She also states the funding is capped at $5000 is the reason the high profile providers have not been accepted into the program. This is not true, I have trained literally thousands of hairdressers over the past 35 years and cost has never been a factor. If Ruth chooses not to take up the opportunity the government has offered, that’s fine but don’t condemn those that have. I have always said, he or she who charges the price is the one taking the risk, whether it is high medium or low. However I do agree you can’t train someone in 650 hours. I will be applying the full 1650 hours for Cert 111. Ruth suggests this is a short-term stopgap approach which will have devastating long term consequences. However, it could also mean a future in hairdressing for many who normally would not get the opportunity. You don’t need a high level of education to enter hairdressing. The PPP is open to all over the age of 15 who have not completed year 12. Year 12 is form 6 in old terms which is much higher than what was the norm 15 years ago.

If you take Ruth’s advise and visit www.productivityplaces.deewr.gov.au you will find the name edward beale and many other reputable names, her reference to this as a race to the bottom (lowest common denominator) is an insult to myself and others who have entered the Productivity Places Program. To conclude high quality standards in training in the hairdressing industry also depends on the commitment and dedication of educators and the student alike not necessarily resources.

Yours truly,

edward beale