Getting creative with hair, make up and paper!

For the past three weeks, our Hair, Barbering and Beauty teams have hosted Slovenian learners in partnership with Tellus Education Group, helping them to develop their general industry skills as well as to practice their English. The students worked alongside our own Study Programme learners and Level 2 Hair and Barbering apprentices, spending four days a week practising hair techniques and one day a week with beauty learners developing their make-up skills.

The learners also spent time with some of our top local employers and enjoyed Masterclasses led by experts in their field. This included a Trichology session looking at the scientific study of the hair and scalp with one of our employers, Chameleon, and a Scissors Skills Workshop with Scissor Warehouse learning industry essentials such as how to properly balance scissors.

All of the learners’ hard work paid off and culminated in an impressive fashion shoot yesterday, to mark their final day with Skills Group. The shoot featured avant garde make-up and hair, and paper outfits the learners created themselves. The learners spent the week preparing their looks, bringing together all the industry skills that they developed.

Zoe Scarff, Hairdressing & Barbering Educator / Assessor at Skills Group, comments, “The learners worked really hard throughout their time with us. They developed a wide range of industry skills through access to our state of the art facilities and the chance to spend time with our brilliant employers. The fashion shoot was a great success, and showcased all the techniques they acquired over the three weeks”.

To see more photos from the shoot, please visit our Facebook page here

I just wanted to say the biggest thank you to Vanessa, my trainer. You have made my journey so much easier, I don’t know what I would have done without you. You have been amazing and helped me to achieve my qualification. You’ve guided me through every step of the way, I really appreciate it, Vanessa, you have been my rock.

Katie Shorland, Level 2 Hairdressing

I always struggled in school as I wasn’t very academic, so knew learning on the job would be a better option for me. I would find it difficult to get up for 9am but now I wake up and look forward to my day. I wanted to try a hair apprenticeship as I’ve always been interested in hairdressing, and by the end of the first week, I already loved it!

Jaimee Benson, Level 2 Hairdressing

I have developed a range of new skills through work including the technical, industry skills required for the job, to personal development such as ensuring I am always on time. The biggest change since leaving school is adjusting to the independence you gain from earning a salary. My advice to anyone thinking of doing an apprenticeship would be find what you like doing, and go for it!

Will Birch, Level 2 Bricklaying

Since starting the apprenticeship, I’ve become far more confident. In a classroom, you only interact with your classmates, but through working you develop your people skills as you interact with customers on a daily basis. At school, you are closely monitored and parented, however I am now more independent and feel grown up

Sam Collard, Level 2 Light Vehicle and Maintenance Repair

The most important thing I’ve learnt since leaving school is that there are other routes to success than just academia. I failed my GCSEs, as I never suited the school environment. Now though, I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship as I’ve discovered I learn more through hands-on practice.

Ben Freeman, Level 2 Carpentry

I would just like to thank you and your team for all the amazing work they do, you have provided me with the most invaluable experience which has helped to pave the way of my future. The work you do for young people is incredible!

Luke Kowalski, Teaching Assistant and former apprentice at Sir Robert Gefferys School