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Nicole A Cutting Edge Apprentice

Local hairdresser Nikki Miller is representing the Latrobe Valley on two fronts this month, at both State and National levels.

By GippsTAFE - 11th June 2004 - Back to News

The GippsTAFE 2003 Apprentice of the Year was last week (May 20) undergoing interviews as part of the Victorian Training Awards - Outstanding Student (Apprentice) of the Year awards, and this week (week commencing 24 May) heads to Brisbane as one of Victoria’s two participants in the national World Skills finals.

About to enter her fourth year apprenticeship with Morwell hairdresser Shear Perfection, Nikki is looking forward to pitting her skills against other top young hairdressers from around the country in Queensland this week.

"There are two people from Victoria, a metropolitan area winner and me from the regional area, with the national winner going overseas for the international award," Nikki said. "I just pleased to have the chance to test myself against and learn from the others in the national competition."

The World Skills competition is based on technique and all round skill.

Nikki earned her place by winning the Gold Medal at the Victorian World Skills competition in November last year, with a score of 93.5 out of a possible 100 points.

She also received the GippsTAFE Hair Design and Beauty Department's Award for Outstanding Apprentice (2003) and the GippsTAFE Award for Most Outstanding Apprentice (2003).

If dedication is anything to go by, Nikki should do well this week. According to her employer, Sandra Padula, Nikki has been "practicing her designs for months."

As well as working closely with an appointed World Skills Australia 2004 Team Leader, Nikki is also drawing on the experience of Sandra Padula and co-ordinator of GippsTAFE’s Hairdressing and Beauty Department, Shirley Nicholson, to support and guide her.

Nikki believes she can never stop learning and that is one reason she chose Hairdressing.

"The skills and tools of the trade are continually changing. Everyone I meet adds to my knowledge," she said.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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