Work With Us
Love the industry but want something different?
If you’re interested in changing lives, passionate about the Hair and Makeup Industry and want to take your career in an exciting new direction – we might be what you’re looking for!
Cut Above Academy have given students the edge they need to become hairstylists, barbers, makeup and special effects makeup artists of the future, for nearly 50 years. As a top training provider who are committed to giving students the skills for success, we’re their ideal first step in a career path to this exciting industry. Our reputation is second to none and we’re proud of it!
Cut Above Academy Staff are taught how to deliver the best learning to students, to prepare them for the industry that we love. Our strong Industry relationships provide our students with unique opportunities, enabling them to launch their career.
View our current opportunities
Working for Cut Above Academy allows you to transform lives. The promise we make to our students about their experience with us is that we will Engage, Respect & Nurture them throughout their journey, to ensure they are ready to start the career they have dreamed about.
We make a positive difference in students’ lives, and with your industry knowledge and experience - you can be part of this too!
Join our talent community
Cut Above Academy is one of the trading names for the registered PTE Yoobee Colleges. As New Zealand’s largest Category One Private Training Establishment, Yoobee Colleges Limited is always on the lookout for passionate and engaged individuals who want to join our thriving learning community.
Yoobee isn’t just a College of Creative Innovation, we have a range of institutions under the Yoobee Colleges Limited umbrella, made up of the following:
Yoobee Colleges Limited is part of UP Education, a wider network of private colleges across New Zealand and Australia, so we also offer roles beyond just the schools you see above. Because of our scale we can offer career progression in a wide range of teaching disciplines and roles, with dynamic opportunities for high achievers in a range of locations across New Zealand and Australia.
If you work within the industry and want to support the next generation of leaders, thinkers, and doers, bring your talents to us. You don’t need to have a background in teaching or education!
This is what some of our fantastic trainers have to say about their job!
Gee Pikinga – Auckland City Campus
"Having been a trainer teaching makeup artistry for almost four years, what I find most rewarding about being a trainer is having the ability to affect change in others’ lives. Influencing creatives to embrace their inner genius and coaching them to reach inside and expose the most intimate facets of themselves through their art. I know what being in this amazing industry has meant to me and the growth I have experienced as a result. To play a role in the journey of each and every one of my learners and see them pathway into careers and begin to establish themselves in the industry I love; there is no greater gift."
Melissa Mathews – Auckland City Campus
"I’m Melissa Matthews. I am currently a Makeup Trainer at Cut Above Academy and also a Freelance Makeup Artist. I have 10 years’ makeup artistry experience. I was an artsy kid and swapped my paint brush for a makeup brush! I’ve had a passion for makeup since a young age. Makeup is such an awesome medium to be creative and transform any face for any occasion. Ever since starting my makeup career studying at Cut Above Academy in 2009, to this day (nearly 15 years later) I am still so passionate & in love with this industry!
My experiences ranges from working high pressure events like 'New Zealand Fashion Week', to doing wedding makeup making brides look and feel gorgeous on their special day, to special events where clients need to look extra GLAM! I was 'National Eventing Artist' for SMASHBOX Cosmetics Traveling around NZ doing makeup for all types of Makeup Events (NZFW, Fashion Shows, Editorial, Make overs, Lessons one-on-one and group lessons). I worked for Cocoon Day Spa in Taupo specializing in Weddings, Special Occasions & makeup lessons. I have also worked for M.A.C Cosmetics and have traveled to Thailand and Australia with the brand.
It’s an absolute pleasure to be a Makeup Artistry Trainer at Cut Above Academy. It's amazing being able to share my knowledge with the students! I love teaching students about my passion and find it really rewarding watching their progress, gaining confidence and following their journeys in the makeup and beauty industry!
I love and live by the quote “You are your own brand!”