Helping the unemployed cut their way through life
TUYEIMO HAIDULA
OKANDJENGEDI
Joel Mwatilefu is helping unemployed youth with a passion for grooming get back into the job market by teaching basic cosmetology and stylist skills.
Joe’s Fade Cuts is a barbershop situated in Okandjengedi, Oshilemba complex, in the Oshana Region.
Mwatilefu (29), who is the founder of JJJJ Investment Group - which the barber shop operates under, kicked off with the free classes on 2 January.
He has been offering the training since 2015 for N$2 000, but since the Covid-19 pandemic, he noticed more and more young people showing interest but not having the funds to register.
This spurred him on to offer the training for free in the hope that they can use the acquired skills to start a career.
“This is just a way to introduce barbering to them. Hopefully they can use the skills to build a future rather than sitting at home doing nothing,” he said.
Reducing unemployment
Mwatilefu said the training will include visiting orphanages and villages in Oshana offering free cuts to residents and providing awareness on how to maintain a clean cut.
He added that he hopes to train 10 people by the end of the year and ensure that job opportunities are created for them.
“Our main aim is to reduce unemployment in the community by giving training to anyone willing to learn and be able to start their own business too,” he said.
Mwatilefu said the training is a step toward reducing the unemployment rate in small towns, with the current rate being at 20.59% in Namibia. Once his trainees have completed the training, they can start their own business and make a living for themselves and their loved ones, he said.
He noted that those who get training will also have an opportunity to work for Joe’s Fade Cuts, which will open a branch in Windhoek soon.
So far, he has trained three people, and encourages other unemployed youth to apply for the opportunity.
This Monday marked 22-year-old Panduleni Amashili’s second month of training.
Amashili told Namibian Sun that he saw Mwatilefu’s post on Instagram and decided to apply to polish his craft so he can have a side hustle.
“I am a pencil that needs to be sharpened as I have already been doing this at home. While I wait to get an internship opportunity, I will be busy with haircuts,” he said.
A second-year electrical engineering student at the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology, he said he loves to groom people because it helps to boost their self-esteem and improves their confidence. As he has not been successful in securing internship as part of practical work for his course, cutting hair keeps him busy for now.
“When you are well put together, it helps you to take on the world confidently,” he said.
– [email protected]
OKANDJENGEDI
Joel Mwatilefu is helping unemployed youth with a passion for grooming get back into the job market by teaching basic cosmetology and stylist skills.
Joe’s Fade Cuts is a barbershop situated in Okandjengedi, Oshilemba complex, in the Oshana Region.
Mwatilefu (29), who is the founder of JJJJ Investment Group - which the barber shop operates under, kicked off with the free classes on 2 January.
He has been offering the training since 2015 for N$2 000, but since the Covid-19 pandemic, he noticed more and more young people showing interest but not having the funds to register.
This spurred him on to offer the training for free in the hope that they can use the acquired skills to start a career.
“This is just a way to introduce barbering to them. Hopefully they can use the skills to build a future rather than sitting at home doing nothing,” he said.
Reducing unemployment
Mwatilefu said the training will include visiting orphanages and villages in Oshana offering free cuts to residents and providing awareness on how to maintain a clean cut.
He added that he hopes to train 10 people by the end of the year and ensure that job opportunities are created for them.
“Our main aim is to reduce unemployment in the community by giving training to anyone willing to learn and be able to start their own business too,” he said.
Mwatilefu said the training is a step toward reducing the unemployment rate in small towns, with the current rate being at 20.59% in Namibia. Once his trainees have completed the training, they can start their own business and make a living for themselves and their loved ones, he said.
He noted that those who get training will also have an opportunity to work for Joe’s Fade Cuts, which will open a branch in Windhoek soon.
So far, he has trained three people, and encourages other unemployed youth to apply for the opportunity.
This Monday marked 22-year-old Panduleni Amashili’s second month of training.
Amashili told Namibian Sun that he saw Mwatilefu’s post on Instagram and decided to apply to polish his craft so he can have a side hustle.
“I am a pencil that needs to be sharpened as I have already been doing this at home. While I wait to get an internship opportunity, I will be busy with haircuts,” he said.
A second-year electrical engineering student at the Namibian Institute of Mining and Technology, he said he loves to groom people because it helps to boost their self-esteem and improves their confidence. As he has not been successful in securing internship as part of practical work for his course, cutting hair keeps him busy for now.
“When you are well put together, it helps you to take on the world confidently,” he said.
– [email protected]
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