Rainbow Room International has officially partnered with the Prince’s Trust Charity to deliver a ‘Get Started with Hairdressing’ Course, specifically for the programme.
Organised by Rainbow Room International Academy Director, Laura Leigh Kerr, the partnership started with an initial taster day, whereby several young people from schools and authorities attended the The Prince’s Trust Wolfson Centre in Glasgow where Laura Leigh presented information on the course and shared information on why hairdressing is an incredible industry to be a part of and a great career with endless opportunities.
Hands on working skills
Following the taster day, all young people took part in the course. This 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 objectives 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 International Academy, the youngsters also received work experience for three days in a Rainbow Room International salon for peer-on-peer learning. Through this process they are provided with a training pack and tasks to complete.
Certificate of completion
After the two weeks of training, all youngsters got a certificate of completion. Then, should any of them want to pursue a career in hairdressing, they can take part in a modern apprenticeship should they be in the appropriate age range for the programme. Alternatively, 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 the youngsters with the chance to learn a new skill. They don’t need to continue in hairdressing if they don’t want to, but instead, they can finish the course having had an enjoyable experience, improving their confidence, understanding the values and behaviours needed as hairdressers and with great communication skills. They will have also learnt some great hairdressing techniques from blow-drys to braiding.”