Mother and daughter make history at WorldSkills Lyon 2024

Practice hands and mannequin heads became regular dinner guests as Jasmine Cecchini prepared for WorldSkills Lyon 2024 under the expert guidance of her mother, Naomi. In the months leading up to the event, WorldSkills was completely interwoven into family life – a dedication that would ultimately earn Jasmine a Medallion for Excellence in Beauty Therapy on the international stage.

Naomi’s 22-year journey with WorldSkills began when a local coordinator invited her to run a regional competition for WorldSkills Australia. Little did she know that this invitation would shape not only her career but also her daughter’s future path in beauty therapy. After training four Australian national gold Medallists and being tapped for the international Expert role, Naomi found herself in an unprecedented position at WorldSkills Lyon 2024: serving as both an Expert in Beauty Therapy and mother to a Competitor.

For Jasmine, the journey to WorldSkills started long before her own competition days. As a young girl, she watched Competitors train at home, sometimes serving as a practice model when they could not find volunteers. She recalls, "I have seen all these other Competitors come to our house and train on weekends and nights. I was tiny, so I have sort of grown up watching it all.”

Yet her path to beauty therapy was not straightforward. She says, “I did not particularly want to do beauty therapy at the start. But being surrounded by it at home slowly developed my love for it.” What began as helping around her mother’s salon evolved into an apprenticeship, and eventually, a deep passion for the profession that would take her to WorldSkills Lyon 2024.

Balancing the roles of mother and Expert during competition preparation brought unique challenges. Naomi shares, “It was hard because I trained her like a trainer, not as mum. I had to really wear the two different hats and demand that discipline that I would with any other Competitor. As a mum you feel for your child, but as a trainer, I am thinking ’come on, hold it together!’”

The intensive preparation included nightly practice sessions, with Jasmine completing tasks like perfecting French manicures and showcasing her progress. Naomi also emphasized the importance of maintaining routines – from healthy eating to proper sleep schedules – which are crucial when competing internationally.

Both mother and daughter understand that their profession goes far beyond technical skills. Naomi says, “Other than a doctor, who do you go to and take your clothes off? At the start, we are strangers to our clients, and they trust us with their body. That kind of intimacy requires trust, and it is an amazing thing – we are very privileged with our job.” This deep understanding of the trust placed in beauty therapists, and their role in building client confidence, has shaped both Jasmine and Naomi’s approaches to the profession.

Their shared journey has opened new horizons, particularly in the medical aspects of skincare. Jasmine’s work has sparked an interest in dermatology, following her mother’s path – Naomi has completed a Bachelor of Dermal Sciences and often works with plastic surgeons. Jasmine says, “When you fix someone’s skin, it is simply magic. You are not just making someone feel pretty, you are often giving them confidence to leave their house."

Looking ahead, Jasmine and Naomi remain committed to their work with WorldSkills. Jasmine plans to support upcoming Competitors, while staying open to where her journey might lead. She says, "I have learned to take whatever opportunity presents itself, because you never know where it will take you.”

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