Business Development Manager Barber

THE PROS OF JOINING

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND? I have 30 years of experience, in a variety of positions. I started my career as a boilermaker on a gold mine situated in the Free State. I was always extremely interested in the joining of metals. This stemmed from an incident on the mine, where millions of rands of damage was caused, and instead of losing my job, I was sent to study welding technology at the SAIW. I soon fell in love with the skills, processes and technologies that are part of this unique career.

WHO ARE YOU EMPLOYED BY? In 2001, I was offered a position at the SAIW as a welding technology lecturer. Soon after that, I was promoted to training services manager, where I served for 12 years before moving into the field of business development manager.

KEY REASONS TO CONSIDER A CAREER IN WELDING? Welding has always been seen as a blue-collar career, with very few youngsters interested in studying it. And yet, the Department of Higher Education announced three years ago that welding was ranked number two of 13 endangered skills in South Africa. In addition, the American Welding Society announced a shortage of more than 450 000 welding personnel worldwide. What this means for Matric students is that by choosing to train as a welder, you have the potential to follow numerous career paths including practical welding, welding inspection, welding coordination and nondestructive testing; all of which are highly sought-after skills.

WHAT TRAINING IS REQUIRED? Firstly, it is of utmost importance to study the theoretical aspects of welding before attempting practical training. To then become highly skilled, you need to have the real-world ability to weld carbon steel, aluminium and stainless steel, using all four welding processes. Authenticated and in-depth work experience is the final leg of embarking on this exciting career.

IS THERE A PERSONALITY TYPE BEST SUITED TO THIS WORK? Good hand-eye coordination, the right attitude and a passion for creating something. In fact, welders always say that a beautiful weld is a joy forever! ETIENNE NELL DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? Absolutely! Learning to weld is the same as learning how to ride a bike - you learn by doing!

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY First, a toolbox talk on the work needing to be completed; then the all-important safety talk; collect the power source; select all the variables required by the specific work instruction and make your way to the workplace. The work instruction must be carefully followed, as some materials need to be heated before welding can take place, while others can be welded immediately. This is why the theoretical component of welder training is so important.

SAIW

BEST ASPECTS OF THE JOB? High demand for skilled welders worldwide, career opportunities, great financial rewards and job satisfaction.

HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER? When I was offered the position as a lecturer at the SAIW and in a very short time was promoted to training services manager.

FULL GROOM AHEAD

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BECOME A BARBER? I chose this career because it is my passion – I love making people look and feel great. I also love travelling, and I can do this job anywhere around the world.

IF YOU HAVE A MORE UNUSUAL CAREER, PLEASE EXPLAIN WHAT IT IS THAT YOU DO I do full male grooming. I cut, style, hot towel shave, shave, wax and massage men’s facial and head hair.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU UNDERGO, AND WHERE? I studied and trained in Morocco at the Institute Parisien. I am fully trained in all aspects of barbering. clients, who start coming in at 9:00am. I do cuts, faders, shave beards and hair, hot towel, facial massages and so on. I make sure to do my very best on each and every client, so they leave the salon happy and confident to conquer the day. The shop closes at 6pm. I do the cash up, making sure the money balances, then I make sure the salon is locked up before I head home.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK? I am a people person; I love meeting new people every day. I am from Morocco, so my English is not too good, but I practice with my clients every day and am improving quickly.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY ON THE JOB I get to work at 8:30am. I count the float for the day, make sure there is enough change in the till, check all my equipment, sanitise all equipment and work stations. Then I get myself ready for the WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING A BARBER? I don’t like it when my clients are not happy with the end results of my work. One of the reasons I chose this field is because I love making people look and feel their best. WHAT HURDLES HAVE YOU HAD TO OVERCOME? The biggest hurdle for me has been the cultural differences. I have had to adapt to South African culture. But after being here for three years, I now feel settled in.

WHAT’S BEEN THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR CAREER TO DATE? The highlight of my career has been the travelling. I have worked in Morocco, Dubai and now South Africa. My ultimate dream destination is Miami, Florida, in the US.

WHAT ARE YOUR FUTURE GOALS? My future goal is to open my very own barbershop in Miami.

IN YOUR LINE OF WORK, IS EXPERIENCE AS IMPORTANT AS FORMAL TRAINING? Yes, experience is just as important as formal training. In fact, some people only learn on the job, without any formal training. RABBI IMAD BARBER

HEADLINES BARBER & SPA

IS THERE A TYPE OF PERSONALITY BEST SUITED? For this type of work, you need to be a people person. You also need to be dedicated and patient. Barbering is a job where you are constantly learning, so you need to love learning new things every day.

ANY ADVICE FOR THOSE STARTING OUT IN YOUR CAREER? Open your mind! And work hard.