A mature aged apprenticeship gave Kasey a second chance at her dream job

At age 35 haircare sales representative Kasey Tyler never imagined she’d be heading back into the classroom.

It was a family tragedy that inspired her to finish the apprenticeship she’d abandoned years before.

“I lost my brother five years ago and I think that it definitely changed my perspective on life,” Kasey says.

“Life’s too short.”

The Wagga local is now a fully qualified hairdresser after completing her studies with Riverina Community College (RCC).

“I also was financially able to study again in terms of the support of my husband and my family and I felt like everything sort of just fell into place to allow me to be able to do it again,” she says.

Sarah Adams, who has been working as a trainer and assessor with RCC for more than five years, mentored Kasey through the course.

She says she’s seeing more and more mature age students enrolling.

“There are a lot of mums who’ve been home with kids and the kids are growing up so now they want to build on their career,” she says.

“We get 16-year-olds through to 50-year-olds but definitely more mature aged students coming through now.”

Despite her enthusiasm to return to study, Kasey admits that the first day was a little confronting.

“It was nerve-racking because I was considerably older and I was with some 15 and 16-year-olds,” she says.

“But I think once I got the courage and put my head down, I was fine.”

Kasey says she always knew that hairdressing was the career for her.

“I have a little sister so she would always be my guinea pig,” she says with a laugh.

“When I finished my HSC I decided first to start my apprenticeship but then I got encouraged into the retail side of professional haircare.”

While she worked her way up into management with the Price Attack franchise over a 12-year career, Kasey says the desire to pick up the scissors was always there.

Kasey resigned from her position as a haircare sales rep and enrolled in a Certificate III in Hairdressing through RCC, finishing the remaining components of her apprenticeship in 18 months.

“I knew myself a lot more through life experience and was much more focused on my learning. I wasn’t as distracted by all those other things you do when you’re younger,” she explains.

“I had an end goal and was much more determined to finish.”

As a fully qualified hairdresser Kasey has secured full-time work alongside her mentor, Sarah, at S & E Hair and Beauty on Baylis Street.

“They offered me a rented chair space, so now I work as a sole trader for myself,” she says.

“I brought life experience, maturity and confidence to my training and I think it’s made me a better hairdresser and employee.”

Sarah says there is no shortage of jobs for graduates.

“Wagga has a lot of hair salons so a lot of them gain employment pretty much straight after the course, which is great,” she says.

“Hairdressing is never going anywhere!”

Kasey says she’s loving the chance to follow her passion and encourages others to follow their hearts.

“If you’re unhappy or stuck in a rut where you are, you can have the courage to go and try something new,” she says.

“There’s so much available now. It’s very different to when I was 18. Adult education is much more readily available and there’s much more variety and support.

“My message to anyone thinking about a career change is that you’re never too old to start something new and change the trajectory of your life.”