IT’S rare to find somewhere you can get both a fresh trim and a fresh start on your career path under one roof, but Swan Hill’s Murray ACE Training Solutions is exactly that.
Offering accredited, pre-accredited and short courses, Murray ACE can set you up for a range of careers including early childhood education, community service and hospitality.
But some of Murray ACE’s most popular courses are those taught in MACE on Gray – Certificate II in Salon Assistant and Certificate II in Retail Cosmetics.
MACE on Gray is Murray ACE’s professional hair and beauty salon, which combines the skills and knowledge from a number of the courses the organisation offers locally.
Murray ACE hairdressing trainer Tash Leerson said it was important to have the chance to provide the opportunity locally for local people to follow their dream career.
“This is amazing to have in a small town like Swan Hill,” she said.
“When salons are taking on apprentices, they’ve got the perfect facilities right here in town for them to be able to come here and complete their training.
“It just means that they don’t have to go off to Bendigo or Melbourne and can remain in Swan Hill.
“Murray ACE provides a great opportunity for anyone who wants to get into the industry by completing a full-time course here.
“The hair industry in Swan Hill is only just beginning to grow, which is awesome to see – there are a lot of salons down the streets.”
Ms Leerson said Murray ACE and MACE on Gray were “great for people who are leaving school” or those still studying.
“We see a lot of people who just want to add another skill set to their list, or even complete this as a VET subject at school.
“It’s the same with the beauty certificate upstairs, we both see a lot of VET students come through.
“They do one day a week for their subject at school, it’s great to be able to provide that pathway.
“I think it’s really cool that we have the access to these things right at our fingertips.
“People get to stay in their community, the costs are also that bit lower when you get to stay here and study.
“It also gives people a really good insight before they get into the industry.”
Ms Leerson invited anyone with an interest in any of the courses to swing by Murray ACE and speak to the friendly staff.
“If anyone is interested about hair, beauty or one of the many things we do here at Murray ACE, they should just come down and have a chat with one of the team members,” she said.
“It’s not like you have to come in and feel like you’re expected to immediately sign up for anything, we’re more than happy to have a friendly chat.
“Just come and have a look at the facilities. When we have newcomers who come in, often we hear that they didn’t even know that we are here and the things that we do.
Murray ACE childcare trainer Leanne McCann said the practical learning was perfect for those following a career in childcare and early childhood learning.
“I think that for early childhood, it’s so important for our students to be studying and working at the same time,” she said.
“What they learn here at Murray ACE, they can put straight into action in the workplace.
“I still work in the industry and began working here, and I absolutely love it.
Ms McCann said the trainers at Murray ACE were welcoming to those on any step of their career path.
“We’re so supportive and super friendly here, we make them relaxed and comfortable and treat them like an adult,” she said.
“We do see a lot of early school leavers, so we want them to be comfortable here, we understand that they may be anxious to return to learning and study,
“This is adult learning, so you make a choice to come in and put in what you want to put in.”
