Barber trims way to top of his profession

Postal-worker-turned super snipper from Chongqing has trained thousands of hairdressers, including world champion

Just over 30 years ago, a young man from Chongqing named He Xianze left his job as a postal worker for the seemingly unpromising profession of hairdressing despite his family's opposition. Today, the 52-year-old is one of the best in the industry and recently mentored Asia's first world hairdressing champion at the WorldSkills Competition, the Oscars of vocational education and skills excellence.

Since 2011, in recognition of his expertise, He has received a special subsidy from the State Council, China's Cabinet. He is the first person in the industry ever to be granted the honor and has pushed hairdressing forward, training thousands over the past 27 years.

In 2015, his apprentice, Nie Feng, who is also from Chongqing, won the hairdressing championship at the 43rd WorldSkills Competition in Sao Paulo, Brazil. She was the first Asian to win the top prize in hairdressing since the competition began in 1950.