Re-skilling the workforce through vocational education is the key to helping Cambodia recover.
Since 2009 and in collaboration with the NGO APHEDA and the Canberra Institute of Technology, I have volunteered 3 months of every year to train women in Cambodia, developing their vocational skills in Hair and Beauty.
The economy in Cambodia has developed significantly in the capital and main cities since the 80’s, but little benefit has filtered out to the countryside, so we have targeted some of the poorest districts in the country. Together, we provide an opportunity for women to attend formal education that they may have been forced to drop out of earlier due to poverty. In consultation with communities, our project selects a small group of women from the Provincial villages to receive our training.
The key skill areas in our hairdressing program are women's hair cutting, bridal up styling, makeup, nail art and small business management, all cash earning skills in the Buddhist Wedding season. We concentrate on teaching staff within the centres and trainers transfer skills onto students. Importantly, all our training includes life skills components in reproductive health, HIV awareness, hygiene, anti-domestic violence and nutrition training.
On completion, our graduates are supported to form small cooperatives with interest free loans, equipment and financial management training.
More recently, we have welcomed Teresa and Catherine from CIT to deliver training to our teachers. They were overwhelmed by the level of skill and beauty of our Cambodian staff and students; and will definitely return.
Canberra based businesses Beautopia, Norris Hair & Beauty and salons within the Canberra region have been very generous with donations. Two local hairdressers Emma from Antique Salon and Craig from Smitten are also keen to donate their time to reskilling within the project. If you’re interested in donating ‘pre loved’ tools, equipment, make-up, nail polish or bottles of perfume (that you don’t wear anymore) to the women in Cambodia, please contact me at gail.vest@cit.edu.au
