20 February, 2019

At an age when most of her friends were taking the career scenic route, Temora’s Claire Heinjus was on a bullet train to business success.

Just weeks after her 18th birthday and already armed with two qualifications from TAFE NSW, Ms Heinjus opened her own hair and beauty salon in Temora. Fast forward 16 months and her business is booming, in part thanks to the hands-on, industry leading training she received completing the Diploma of Beauty Therapy at TAFE NSW.

Ms Heinjus has always had a passion for hair and beauty, volunteering at a local hairdresser from the age of 12.

She went on to study a Certificate III in Hairdressing and complete an apprenticeship, before enrolling in a Diploma of Beauty Therapy at TAFE NSW Wagga Wagga, which boasts new, state-of-the-art beauty training facilities.

“The facilities are pretty amazing and to get to experience that while doing training is really invaluable,” Ms Heinjus said. “The teachers were great; they’ve all worked in the industry and became real mentors to me.”

Under the tutelage of the TAFE NSW beauty teaching team, Ms Heinjus honed her talent and entered the 2017 WorldSkills Australia Regional competition, finishing second.

After graduating with industry-leading qualifications in hair and beauty, Ms Heinjus decided to open a “one-stop shop” in her home town and All Occasions Hair and Beauty was born.

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Beauty and Nails Naomi Zadow said Ms Heinjus’s turbocharged career path was testament to the quality of training offered at TAFE NSW.

“While others were taking a gap year or considering a university course, Claire had already completed her training and was running her own business,” Ms Zadow said. “It’s something we see often and just goes to show the incredible career pathways TAFE NSW can offer.”

Ms Zadow said TAFE NSW graduates earn more on average in their first year after study than university graduates. She said the Diploma of Beauty Therapy offered students a wide array of skills, including manicure, pedicure, tanning, waxing, tinting, facials, body treatments and spa treatments.

To find out more about studying beauty, nail technology or salon services at TAFE NSW, phone 13 16 01 or visit www.tafensw.edu.au.

Media contact: Daniel Johns, TAFE NSW Media and Communications – Business Partner, 6938 1441, mobile 0477 722 428.