Showing my support for state registration and hairdressing education
In the old days, when I used to work for hairdressing businesses, I always thought that I was the ultimate perfect employee. Two weeks ago, when I broke my holiday in Ibiza short to come back to England for a photo shoot for Marie Claire I realised that there are some things that you do when it's your own business that you'd never do for someone else!
But that's not to say that I don't still spend a lot of time working for partner companies and for industry causes that I care about.
Last week I filmed a piece about state registration for the BBC, as part of my ambassadorial role for the Hairdressing Council. It's the second time I've done something for the BBC who seem to be great supporters of the campaign as they seem to understand that we are a profession and we should be recognised as that.
It's not just hairdressers that the campaign matters to, it's important that consumers realise that anyone can profess to be a hairdresser and go to people's houses or even work in a salon.
Many people question the NVQ system and feel that hairdressing students still have a lot to learn when they have completed two years and reached the NVQ level 2 standard, but the fact people are still able to cut hair without ever attending any training makes a complete mockery of the education system.
On the subject of FE training for hairdressers, I have to say that it is something I would never criticise. In the past, the standard of education might not have always been as good as it should be, but these days many colleges are trying to create environments that are more like working salon so that the general public can use them.
At the end of two years, students are still going to need more training where their skills will be further developed, but most good salons should have a pricing structure that allows for their entry into the business and when people are paying a more reduced price, they should know that the quality should be there but the experience might not.
