Rainbow Room International are pleased to share the news they have officially partnered with the Prince’s Trust Charity to deliver a ‘Get Started with Hairdressing’ Course, specifically for the programme.
Organised by Academy Director, Laura Leigh Kerr, the partnership started with an initial taster day, whereby several young people from schools and authorities attended The Prince’s Trust Wolfson Centre in Glasgow where Laura Leigh presented information on the course and shared why hairdressing is an incredible industry to be a part of, and a great career with endless opportunities.
Following the taster day, all young people who submitted interest got the opportunity to take part in the Get Started with Hairdressing Course that would take place over a period of two weeks, Monday-Friday. The course provided all youngsters with basic hairdressing skills, but also allowed them to get hands on, working on doll heads, shampooing, and blow-drying, as well as learning salon health and safety.
The first two days of the course involved no hairdressing, and instead, focused on the youngsters getting to know each other via interactive games and team building with the objective being to learn how to work as part of a team. The day also instilled values and behaviours into the group, enhanced their communication skills and built on their confidence. All of which are important skills within hairdressing.
In addition to working at the Rainbow Room Academy, the youngsters were also provided with work experience for three days in a Rainbow Room International salon whilst being shadowed by a Rainbow Room International apprentice for peer-on-peer learning. Through this process they are provided with a training pack and tasks to complete.
After the two weeks of training, all youngsters were provided with a certificate of completion and should any of them be interested in pursuing a career in hairdressing, they can be put forward by Laura Leigh to take part in a modern apprenticeship should they be in the appropriate range for the programme. Alternatively, Laura Leigh, along with the Prince’s Trust Team, can guide the individual in the direction of what’s the next best route for them.
Discussing the programme, Laura Leigh Kerr, Rainbow Room International Academy Director said: “The main aim of this course is providing youngsters with the chance to learn a new skill. For us, there are no outcomes attached to the course, they don’t need to continue hairdressing if they don’t want to, but instead, they can finish the course having had an enjoyable experience, improving their confidence, understanding values and behaviours needed as hairdressers and with great communication skills. They will have also learnt some great hairdressing techniques from blow-dry’s to braiding.”
