Recruit hopes she makes the cut
BUDDING young hairdresser Charlotte Hockings is hoping to be the next apprentice to be a cut above the rest.
Although she is yet to work on a real head of hair or even pick up a pair of scissors, the 18-year-old can't wipe the smile off her face.
"It has always been something I've wanted to do," she said.
"To this point I've just been practising on dummy heads but I do know how to braid."
Ms Hockings is apprentice number 21 to have learned her trade at Warwick's Clare's Hair Together and True Beauty.
The hair and beauty salon at Rose City Shoppingworld recently received a TAFE Queensland award for dedication towards the training of apprenticeships.
Owner Clare Jeffries, who started the business in 1991, said it was a great way of giving back to the community.
"It keeps the industry going and helps create jobs - it keeps young girls in town," she said.
It has also created a bit of healthy competition, with many past apprentices now operating salons of their own.
"We want to build those entrepreneurial skills. You want them to have their own business and success," Mrs. Jeffries said.
The salon has been nominated for the Australia-wide De Lorenzo 'Salon of the Year' award.
