HANNAH GERRITSEN'S WORLDSKILLS SUCCESS!

By Louise May

At just 20, Hannah Gerritsen has already established herself as a standout talent in the hairdressing industry. A stylist at Belinda’s Hair Creations in Wollongong, NSW, she recently won the national champion title at the 2023 WorldSkills Australia competition.

Her journey, marked by a relentless drive to learn and improve, began with practising on friends and family. Supported by her employer and TAFE teacher Janelle, Hannah’s dedication has led to impressive accolades, including Gold at the Regional and National WorldSkills, 3rd place in a UK prep comp, 2nd in the Global Skills Challenge in Melbourne, and Gold at the Belt & Road International Skills comp in China.

As she prepares to represent Australia at the WorldSkills international competition in Lyon, Barbershop Magazine Editor Louise May sits down with Hannah to explore her remarkable journey and future ambitions.

What first drew you to hairdressing, and how did your journey begin?

I’ve always wanted to be a hairdresser. Growing up with three sisters, I learned braiding and styling by watching my mum and YouTube. Styling hair for family and friends was a privilege. At 15, I started voluntary work experience, which turned into a Saturday job. I hoped for an apprenticeship at the first salon I worked in, but when it was sold, I had to find emergency work experience. Belinda from Belinda’s Hair Creations gave me a chance, leading to a Saturday job and eventually my apprenticeship.

What does it feel like to be representing Australia on the international stage at the upcoming Worldskills competition?

It’s surreal to represent Australia, especially in hairdressing. I’m grateful for the opportunities leading up to this, which have taken me to Wales, China, the Gold Coast, and Melbourne. Competing under pressure and adapting to different environments has given me a taste of what to expect in France. I’m excited to represent our industry and hope to inspire others to take pride in their profession and get involved.

Can you share how you prepared for the 2023 Worldskills Australia competition, and what went through your mind when you won the national championship?

Preparation started 13 weeks out, with Belinda and Janelle from West Wollongong TAFE dedicating countless hours to help me develop my skills. Since I don’t see what I have to create until the competition starts, I focused on perfecting techniques and understanding when to apply them.

As scores from each module combine to determine placement, by the final day, the first day feels like a blur. At the closing ceremony, when I was announced the winner, I was with Janelle and had a mini celebration before heading to the stage. It was incredible to have my family, Belinda, and her husband Scott, there cheering me on. I couldn’t wait to celebrate with those who supported me the most.

What inspires your passion and dedication to hairdressing, especially with such an intense training schedule?

I’m inspired by the many industry leaders who invest in our development. Their willingness to share their wisdom and passion makes it easy to stay dedicated. I want to look back at the closing ceremony in France and be proud of my journey, knowing I gave it my all. There’s always more to learn in hairdressing, which is why I love it—I can’t imagine a career without growth.

What role have educators and mentors played in your journey, and how have they influenced your career?

Belinda taught me daily skills and shared her extensive network with me. I’ve also worked with top educators like Sharon Blain, Kylie Dwyer, Michael Belcastro, and Fraser Forsey. For Worldskills, Donna Demaria has invested countless hours in training, organizing mock competitions, and sharing her 20+ years of knowledge.

I’m incredibly thankful for everyone who has gone above and beyond to share their expertise. Their guidance has not only prepared me for competitions but has also added immense value to my career.

Can you describe the challenges and excitement of competing in various international competitions, like the Belt & Road International Skills comp in China?

Competing in international competitions like the Belt & Road International Skills comp in China presents significant challenges. Adapting to new environments, jet lag, and being away from supportive networks are tough. Despite these hurdles, it’s exciting to connect with global hairdressing enthusiasts and see how quickly we bond, despite language barriers and different backgrounds.

China was an exceptional host, with impressive opening and closing ceremonies. It was an honour to represent Australia as a flag bearer and conclude my time in China with a gold medal.

What do you find most rewarding about hairdressing, particularly in such a competitive environment?

As a hairdresser, the biggest reward behind the chair is when a client is over the moon with their hair. I strive every day to bring the best energy and attitude to work for both my clients and the beautiful team I work alongside.

I love that we get the opportunity to be a part of massive changes for clients, their big days and that they share their lives with us.

My clients from Belinda’s Hair Creations have backed my competition journey 100% which definitely adds to the anticipation and confidence overseas.

I know that when I compete, not only can I be proud of my work, but I also have a whole salon of team members, clients and friends in the industry as well.

You participated in the AHC Project Barber initiative. Can you share more about the program and your experience?

The AHC Project Barber program was a no-brainer for me. It removed barriers for hairdressers wanting to become qualified in barbering, particularly by acknowledging the units already covered in a hairdressing qualification. This allowed me to focus on areas where I needed more practice.

Now, I feel confident offering a full barbering experience, including traditional shaving techniques. The program was also a great opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals. I highly recommend it to any hairdresser who can access it, and especially to qualified employers, as they set an example. Belinda was the first to enrol, and many team members followed her lead.

Looking ahead to the International Worldskills in Lyon, what are your goals, and how do you plan to achieve them?

I want to produce work that I am proud of, pushing me out of my comfort zone and being creative. I want young hairdressers to see the places that their career can take them, and to instil an immense sense of pride in our industry.

Worldskills aims to show all young tradespeople the value of their skill, the importance of international relationships, and to develop pathways.

Most of all, my goal is to trust my training, and do what I love. I’m so excited to show the world what a local girl from Corrimal salon can do on the world stage.

How do you balance the demands of competition with your day-to-day work at Belinda’s Hair Creations?

I am fortunate that Belinda is so willing to accommodate the needs of my training. My clients have also been so understanding and willing to work around my more limited availability this year. When I travelled to Wales, less than 12 hours after I landed back on Aussie soil, I was competing in a barbering competition. After China, I had the privilege of being on a panel for the AHC Industry day (again something like 6 hours after landing).

My training schedule has involved full days on Sunday and Monday, whether in the salon or Sydney, travelling to Sydney after work on Tuesday and then having Donna my Worldskills expert travel to me and spending late nights on Wednesdays. This is in addition to my full-time hours Tuesday - Saturday. I wouldn’t have been able to manage any of this without the commitment and support given to me from Belinda and Scott, my beautiful family, TAFE NSW west Wollongong staff and Donna. It takes a serious love for hairdressing!

What are your long-term aspirations in the hairdressing industry, and how do you hope to contribute as an ambassador?

Being an ambassador and investing in the development of our industry is a main priority. I believe there are a million and one ways to do this. I hope to stay connected with training institutes, the new generations of Worldskills competitors and the MANY people who have contributed to my journey. Social media has given a platform for us to stay connected, share our work, goals and have a voice in our industry. I aim to use my social media to share every aspect of my journey to encourage and to be encouraged by others.