Vicki Birch

Position:

Lecturer

Teaching area:

Hairdressing

Biography:

  • I have been hairdressing for 23 years.
  • I started my training at Te Kotahitanga in Manurewa, South Auckland as a full-time hairdressing student.  I was a young Maori women with a dream of becoming a hairdresser.
  • I passed my first qualification in 1993 and then moved on to Arrow Tec in Papakura to complete my second and third qualification.
  • I also gained an apprentice ship in Papakura and became qualified within three years.
  • Twelve months out of my training I purchased my own business and work as an owner operator for the next four years.
  • On selling the business I work in various salons in South Auckland whist completing my adult teaching certificate.  I then worked part time while starting a family.
  • One of my part time jobs lead to a management role in Botany Downs managing 15 staff and working a full client list.
  • Once leaving this role after three years I decided it was time to give back to wear I started and applied for a tutor role at Te Kotahitanga Training and was successful in my application, this was one of the highlights of my career.
  • I always wanted to give back to a small PTE (Private Training Enterprise) in South Auckland that gave me a huge start in my career and through this I gained a lot of experience in teaching.
  • After 5 ½ years I gained employment at MIT and have been here for nearly 4 years.
  • I know that my time at a PTE set me up well for working in an institute.
  • I have had some amazing opportunities whilst employed at MIT and a couple of career highlights include:
    • Attending a long hair 2-day course with world famous hair dresser Patrick Cameron.
    • External verifier for City & Guilds, which has allowed me to travel New Zealand and network with other providers and also in Rarotonga and hopefully out to other Pacifica Islands.
  • I have the pleasure of one of the most rewarding job’s, and I love it.
  • The highlight of my career over 23 years is seeing students at Graduation, succeeding and really proud of themselves.
  • I love watching them grow and especially seeing how proud their families are of them.

Why I love MIT:

We care.  About you, your studies, your family and your success.