91��ɫ

Shaping the future of skilled trades: entrepreneurs graduate at 2026 Spring Convocation

After launching a successful business and charitable program, Chadwin and Camille Bartley graduate with their BEd in Tech Ed, taking the next step in their mission to bring barbering and hairstyling to Ontario high schools

Graduands at the Faculty of Education Spring Convocation ceremony on June 12 reached an unforgettable milestone, including Chadwin and Camille Bartley of the graduating Class of 2026, whose mission is to bring their trade, barbering and hairstyling, into Ontario high schools.

As their three children, aged nine, seven and four, along with Chadwin’s mother and grandmother cheered them on, the Bartleys proudly crossed the stage together, having earned their Bachelor of Education in Technological Education (BEd in Tech Ed) degrees.

“What started as a dream has become a reality. Every mentor, teacher, student, and supporter has played a role in helping my wife and me reach this moment,” said an emotional Chadwin, acknowledging his family and friends who supported the couple throughout their extraordinary journey as mature students, starting their post-secondary education in their 30s.

Celebrity stylists to community mentors

The couple is already well-established in the barbering and hairstyling industry, with a clientele that includes celebrities like Toronto Raptors player RJ Barrett. However, their passion is to promote their profession to youth as a skilled trade and a pathway to successful careers.

“My decision to become an educator stems from a desire to nurture and encourage young minds to pursue their passions fearlessly. I believe teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the future, and I am eager to take on this responsibility,” said Camille, who has been a hairstylist since the age of 16. She was also instrumental in inspiring Chadwin to pick up the clippers and learn the craft more than 15 years ago.

“I was able to parlay a barber career into a degree that will help me further my desire to inspire our youth to dream big and work hard,” said Chadwin, crediting his wife for his personal and professional growth.

“From the moment we got married 14 years ago, we committed to doing things differently from what we experienced growing up,” added Chadwin, highlighting how their partnership in life, business, and community has changed lives for many, including their own.

Filling a gap in Ontario high schools

Having had a rough life as youth and understanding the hardship young people experience, they decided to launch the Bartley Skills Development Program, a charitable organization in 2018. Through the charity, with partnership support from major private and public corporations, they have taught youth across the Greater Toronto Area barbering and hairstyling.

“We started noticing that a lot of students are coming wanting to learn how to do hairdressing and barbering, but it wasn't provided in their local high schools,” Chadwin noted. “Because we became successful through the skilled trade, we decided to impart those skills to those who are interested in learning through mentorship.”

Having worked with local high schools and connecting with school administrators who encouraged them to pursue teaching, the couple took the leap and joined 91��ɫ. “Watching trained teachers interact with students, we realized formal teacher training would enhance our teaching of the trade.”

Pathway through 91��ɫ

This is when they came across the BEd in Tech Ed program’s consecutive stream which is designed to encourage trade professionals to combine their passion for their sector with their desire to teach. The program equips graduates with the skills and knowledge to teach in high schools across the province.

A key admission requirement of the program, whether applying for the concurrent or consecutive stream, is that the candidate must have work experience — along with industry licensing where applicable — in one of these areas: Communication Technology, Computer Technology, Construction Technology, Green Industries, Hairstyling & Aesthetics, Health Care, Hospitality and Tourism, Manufacturing Technology, Technological Design, and Transportation Technology.

While the Concurrent BEd is offered to 91��ɫ students in a related degree program, the Consecutive BEd is open to those like Camille and Chadwin, who meet .

As successful graduates, both Chadwin and Camille have been accepted by the Halton and Peel school boards and are waiting to be placed. They have also been occasional teachers at the Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board and hold Secondary Occasional Teacher Roster positions with Guelph’s Upper Grand District School Board.

“We are off to Jamaica for a summer vacation with our kids in a couple of days! We are excited to start teaching in regional school boards as trades teachers when we return,” said Camille, who plans to work as a teacher full-time, while Chadwin would like to work part-time as a teacher and full-time as a mentor guiding youth into entrepreneurship.

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91��ɫ is a modern, multi-campus, urban university located in Toronto, Ontario. Backed by a diverse group of students, faculty, staff, alumni and partners, we bring a uniquely global perspective to help solve societal challenges, drive positive change, and prepare our students for meaningful life and career paths. 91��ɫ's Glendon Campus is home to Southern Ontario's Centre of Excellence for French Language and Bilingual Postsecondary Education. 91��ɫ’s campus in Costa Rica offers students exceptional transnational learning opportunities and innovative programs, while at the Markham Campus, innovation, technology, entrepreneurship and industry collaboration are built into every program. 91��ɫ’s new School of Medicine, the first Canadian medical school to focus on community-based primary health-care education, will welcome its first cohort in September 2028. Together, we can make things right for our communities, our planet, and our future.

Media Contacts: Emina Gamulin, 91��ɫ Media Relations, 437-217-6362, egamulin@yorku.ca