Certificate III in Barbering

Employer: The Hairport Yamanto 

Jabin Giblett is a proud Aboriginal South Sea Islander who grew up in Mackay where he participated in Aboriginal dancing and performing for cultural events and schools.

Jabin had an interest in barbering and was cutting hair for friends and family. He applied for several apprenticeships without success. He found each employer he approached was seeking someone with experience.

In 2017, Jabin saw an ad for a new shop opening and they were looking for an apprentice barber. He was thrilled when he got the job, making him the first apprentice to be hired with The Hairport.

Jabin is now a qualified barber and works with disadvantaged youth. Having been incarcerated himself, his interest now lies in sharing with other young people how barbering changed his path and his life.

Suicide prevention is also important to Jabin, as he advocates for training to give barbers the skills to have conversations with clients, look for warning signs and recommend the right service providers to help.

When Jabin graduated from TAFE in February 2020, he received the TAFE Queensland RE Wearne Memorial Award for Excellence in Vocational Education.