The 40th Annual WorldSkills Competition will be held from 1 to 7 September 2009 in Calgary, Canada and will accommodate over 850 competitors from 48 countries at the 2009 WorldSkills Competition. WorldSkills is the pinnacle of excellence in skilled trades and technology training.

Hairdressing competitors Gert Taljaard (Carlton Hair International, Gauteng), Alicia Robinson (Platinum Hair & Beauty / Northlink College, Cape Town) and Anneke Auret (Hair Studio International / Northlink College, Cape Town) are on the shortlist to represent South Africa at the WorldSkills Competition this year.

Hairdressing students and young hairdressers from around the country completed a one week hairdressing training-intervention (Boot camp) at Northlink College in December 2008; all made possible by the generous funding of the Services SETA. The trainers were Kurt Høyer from Denmark (International trainer and OMC judge) and Riana Stemmet (Hairdressing Expert for WorldSkills South Africa and Programme Manager for Hair Care at Northlink College).

The talented young contestants worked really hard during the five days’ training and were monitored and judged on their practical abilities, stamina, precision, time management and neatness of executing the prescribed styles.

The following disciplines were trained during the training intervention:
Day 1- Ladies: Technical cut & colour;
Day 2- Ladies: Technical cut & colour – styling;
Day 3- Gents: Classic & beard design (Bombarge);
Day 4- Bombarge & Long hair up;
Day 5- Competition & Judging of all disciplines.

It was really encouraging to see the high standard of workmanship that these contestants produced. The competitors were more skilled and advanced than in 2007, however only three will be chosen. All competitors agreed that they have learnt more in those five days than what they would have learnt in a different environment. The training was extremely intense with each contestant having to concentrate extremely hard to ensure he/she understood and could reproduce what was shown to them. It is both the trainers’ recommendation that these competitors must continue to practice and compete in regional and national competitions, for they all have the talent and the ability to become champions.

Further training interventions will take place over the next few months before the final selection is made.

All WorldSkills information and updates are published on the official website. www.worldskills.org.

- Riana Stemmet