Andrew Barton’s ABLE (Andrew Barton London Education) programme is delighted to announce a new partnership with Coleg Gwent – one of Wales’ largest and top performing further education colleges.
The ABLE programme has been developed to support budding stylists and the hairdressing industry as it aims to tackle the current skills shortage and the challenge of attracting a younger workforce.
The partnership with ABLE will launch at Coleg Gwent’s Open Event on Saturday 25 March, where the college team will be talking to prospective students and their families about the opportunities and benefits a career in hairdressing can offer. At a time when the industry is seeing a decrease in the number of apprentices, ABLE is supporting colleges to expand their offering and position hairdressing as a lucrative career.
Lecturers are able to use the programme to enhance their teaching curriculum, which aligns perfectly with the advanced and creative hair professional apprentice standards.
Being part of the programme also allows access to a variety of unique training tools, including bi-monthly video tutorials linked to the standards and qualifications at Level 2 and 3, all with the added benefit of Andrew’s much-respected industry experience. The videos immerse students in all aspects of hairdressing and are complemented by a printed manual of salon principles to equip trainee stylists for salon life.
Andrew has been a long-time champion of the salon-based hairdresser and cares passionately about the future careers of trainee hairdressers. The ABLE programme has been designed to allow Andrew to share his expertise, experience and passion with students across the UK. The scholarship is further supported with CPD for lecturers, visits by Andrew to the college and an aspirational awards day for ABLE students and lecturers.
Gary Handley, Faculty Director at Coleg Gwent, said: “This innovative partnership, which is the first in Wales, will open up a broad range of enrichment opportunities to our hairdressing students and staff at Coleg Gwent, allowing them to further develop their own practical skills in line with current industry standards with the support of the fantastic team at ABLE."
Andrew Barton said, “I’m so excited for the partnership between ABLE and Coleg Gwent - it will not only inspire a new generation of hair professionals but also provide them with the skills and knowledge to become successful in whatever area of this fantastic industry they choose for their future. The main objective of ABLE is to bridge the gap between the salon and further education. Ensuring that exacting standards inspire a new generation of hairdressers and prepare them as they begin their journey in the salon. ABLE ensure that trainee stylists are employable and ready to tackle the exciting challenges of salon life.”
