Never underestimate hairdressing as a career

HJ News Editor, Matthew Batham, reflects on some of the opportunities a career in hairdressing can present to an individual. The diversity offered by a career in hairdressing is staggering - and something of which, sadly, many schools, members of the public and journalists are completely unaware (as illustrated recently by Mirror journalist Brian Reade's ridiculous comments about Vidal Sassoon's eligibility for a CBE). The performance of trainee hairdressers in the recent Apprenticeship Awards proves, yet again, that young hairdresser can compete with the best of any industry. Two young finalists in the prestigious awards, taking place in London on 16 July, are hairdressing apprentices - Laura Bannister of Evolution in Birmingham; and Jignesh Madhavji from Chet's Barbers in Bolton. Scott Bailye Hairdressing, in Earl Shilton near Leicester is also in the final, in the category for Micro Employer of the year. Let's hope all three prove that hairdressing is one of the best possible career choices for young  people in the UK and knock the socks of the competition! And for those that do make a success of their training, the opportunities are vast, as I know from the range of stories I receive in my mailbox. This week alone, I've heard how John Carne Hairdressing's artistic team worked on a catwalk show for sexy underwear designer, Modern Courtesan; that Angela Mitchell, of JAVA for Hair in Essex has just returned home from Russia where she took part in a huge hair show, called Beauty Over the Neva River; and how Kate Miasik,  style director at Uppercut Hair Group in Essex recently styled popstress Pixie Lott - admittedly it was before she hit the big time, but the chart-topper modelled for the group's entry into the L'Oréal Professionnel Colour Trophy. This is a tiny snapshot of a week in hairdressing - and these are not celebrity hairdressers, they are just normal hardworking people who demonstate what a career can offer anyone prepared to put the effort in. Of course, for those that do reach the very top of the industry, the opportunities are virtually limitless - just read our own Andrew Barton's regular column!