Source: Eastern Institute of Technology – Tairāwhiti
4 mins ago
Sixteen-year-old Kiana-Leigh Bowman did not know what to expect when she enrolled in the Foundation Skills programme at EIT last year, but she graduated with more confidence and skills that will serve her well in the future.
Kiana-Leigh says she did not really enjoy school, so decided to look at other options. She was told about the Free NZ Certificate in Foundation Skills (Hair and Beauty) [Level 2], which runs for 18 weeks and prepares students for further studies.
“Makeup and beauty is what I love doing, so I definitely wanted to take that on.”
She decided to enrol and has not looked back since.
“I loved it. School definitely was not for me and as soon as I started at EIT, everything just changed for me.”
“It boosted my confidence, and I was able to improve my makeup skills and gain the Level 2 Certificate in Foundation Skills (Hair and Beauty). We learnt all about makeup, hair, nails and skincare,” she says.
At some stage Kiana-Leigh would like to enrol in the NZ Certificate in Makeup and Skin Care (Introduction) [Level 3]. She says it makes sense because it is a natural progression.
Kiana-Leigh, who grew up in Hawke’s Bay, says she has no hesitation in recommending the Foundation Skills programme to other people her age looking for an alternative to school.
Fleur Leighton, Foundation Skills, Styling Tutor in the School of Health and Sport Science, says: “Kiana-Leigh was always such a delight to have in class. She showed great maturity and got on well with her classmates.”
“She always had a great talent for makeup and had the opportunity to work on this and learn to perfect her hair styling skills too. She showed a great commitment to class and her assessment work. I have high hopes for Kiana-Leigh – I can see a big future ahead of her.”
