CELEBRATING A LEGACY: JENELLE ARNOTT’S 38 YEARS OF INDUSTRY DEDICATION

By Anthony Gray

The Hair Festival weekend saw the commitment and passion of our education community come to the fore. The Australian Hairdressing Councils (AHC) Industry Day brought 140 passionate educators from across the country together. The event is the visual and physical representation of the commitment many educators from across our industry have to working tirelessly to grow, nature and help others build careers and lives in Hairdressing.

But a celebration of the education community coming together brings into focus the countless hours that go unseen and without fanfare or the need for recognition by our education community. Highlighting the impact educators across public and private RTO’s, company educators, salon educators and mentors and independent educators have on our industry. This article is not only a celebration of the career of one individual but an acknowledgement of all of those who are committed to sustaining our industry through the education of our future.

After an illustrious 38-year career in education, Jenelle Arnott, who leaves one such legacy in hairdressing education, has officially retired from her role as a trainer and assessor at MIG Training. Her journey, marked by passion, dedication, and an unwavering commitment to the next generation of hairdressers, has left an indelible mark on the industry.

Jenelle’s story with MIG began before it even became a college. She started working part-time as a hairdresser with the company while raising her daughters, Bianca and Tiffany. As MIG evolved from a salon into a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) some 30-plus years ago, Jenelle's professional career grew alongside it. Undertaking the workplace trainer and assessor qualification while still working on the floor Jenelle initially worked with apprentices in a college environment. As the college grew from one student to many, Jenelle adapted to not only the needs of the organisation but to the needs of the industry. Jenelle transitioned from the college environment to workplace delivery, constantly adapting to remain current and ensure that her students received the best possible training and care.

Throughout this journey, Jenelle nurtured and graduated hairdressers across Queensland, playing a pivotal role in shaping their careers. Her influence wasn’t just limited to her students—Jenelle’s efforts were instrumental in MIG’s growth, helping it become a leading education brand in Queensland.

Beyond her technical expertise, Jenelle was cherished for her care and compassion, particularly by the barber apprentices who often saw her as a substitute mother. She provided not only guidance in their professional development but also the emotional support they needed to navigate the challenges of their training. Her ability to connect on a personal level with each student made her an irreplaceable figure in their lives, someone they could turn to for advice, encouragement, and a listening ear.

Her colleagues and students alike speak of Jenelle’s kindness, patience, and ability to inspire. Her teaching went beyond the technical aspects of hairdressing; she instilled in her students the values of professionalism, creativity, and empathy—qualities that are just as essential as the skills of the trade.

A testament to her impact comes from Lole’s Barbershop, who shared: “Thank you, Jenelle, for all your knowledge, dedication, and authentic care with supporting so many of our Apprentices over the years. I know there were many testing times with keeping the boys in line and on task, but your grace and patience ensured so many of our team became qualified. We will miss your visits but wish you every bit of happiness and good health for your well-deserved retirement”

Jenelle’s legacy is reflected in the countless successful hairdressers who credit their achievements to her guidance. The numbers alone are incredible. Jenelle has personally worked with over 1700 hairdressers and Barber apprentices and students and qualified in excess of 800 over her career as an educator. Many of her former students have gone on to establish their own salons, win industry awards, and even become educators themselves, spreading the knowledge and values Jenelle imparted to them.

In the words of one past student who went on to eventually become an educator, “Jenelle is the most incredible trainer and it’s been an absolute privilege to have been trained by you and then to finally work with you as a trainer, that iconic curly hair would walk in, and we knew you were going to brighten the day.”

Jenelle’s story is just one of the many stories of incredible educators across our entire industry whose time, investment and care for the next generation builds a legacy day by and day and shapes the industry as a whole. It is not until you reflect on an individual career and tally the achievements that you fully understand the impact an educator can have, one that extends far beyond the walls of any particular organisation or educational institution.

As Jenelle steps into retirement, the hair industry bids farewell to not just a remarkable educator, but a mentor, a role model, and a nurturing figure for many young professionals. Her legacy will continue to shape the future of hairdressing for years to come, through the many professionals she has trained and inspired.

Thank you, Jenelle, and to all of the educators working and supporting our industry for your incredible service and the lasting impact you’ve made.