NZ Hairdressing Qualification Now Globally Recognised

NZ Hairdressing Qualification Now Globally Recognised

HITO Press Release, 3 December 2010

Years of negotiations paid off this week with the awarding of international certificates to some of New Zealand’s top hairdressers.

Amongst the inaugural recipients at Monday night’s ceremony in Auckland were 2010 New Zealand Hairdresser of the Year Mana Dave, New Zealand Association of Registered Hairdressers President Ria Bond, and Ardita Rakovica and Joanne Twohill from multi-award winning salon Bettjeman’s.

Hairdressing Industry Training Organisation (HITO) CEO Erica Cumming says that the presentation of the International Certificate represents the culmination of years of hard work and negotiation.

“HITO were a founding member of the International Professional Standards Network (IPSN) and over the last few years we have successfully worked with them to benchmark the National Certificate in Hairdressing Practice,” says Erica.

“This means that holders of the National Certificate in Hairdressing Practice who have at least one year experience as a senior operator can now have their skills and experience recognised in Australia, Canada and South Africa. It is anticipated that the European Union will also come on board and recognise the International Certificate.”

“Having New Zealand’s premium hairdressing qualification internationally recognised is a great endorsement of training in our industry. It will directly benefit all nationally qualified stylists who want to further their career overseas,” says Erica.

Mana Dave says the new International Certificate will help the industry be seen as more professional.

“The International Certification reinforces to clients that you’re a qualified professional. It shows clients that your training has been world-class,” says Mana.

Mana says that the International Certification represents a great opportunity for those who have recently qualified.

“The International Certification is great for someone who has got nationally qualified, got their hands dirty for a couple of years, and who wants to ply their trade internationally. It will give you instant credibility overseas,” says Mana.

Erica Cumming says that IPSN has begun work to benchmark and recognise the respective beauty qualifications.

Inaugural Recipients of the IPSN International Certificate:
Allison Murray (Hair Technique - Whanganui; HITO Board Chair) Karenza Harris (HITO)
Ardita Rakovica (Bettjeman’s - Auckland) Kelly Latu (Blaze – Auckland)
Chris Lethbridge (Manawatu Education Academy) Mana Dave (Blaze – Auckland)
Debbie Barron (Waikato School of Hairdressing) Renee Heatherwick (HITO)
Elaine Gardiner (Bethlehem Hair Care – Tauranga; HITO Board) Ria Bond (NZARH President)

Grant Bettjeman (Bettjeman’s - Auckland) Sonia Baker-Johnston (Manukau Institute of Technology)
Joanne Twohill (Bettjeman’s - Auckland) Sue Chard (Manawatu Education Academy)
Katherine Minty (Headline -Whangarei)

ENDS