West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds to invite businesses to help transform hairdressing training

A college is inviting salons and barbers to be part of a pioneering new chapter in hairdressing education.

An event at West Suffolk College will see hairdressers and business owners have their say on a new kind of recognition for the best hairdressing and barbering courses in the UK.

College staff will be joined by Andrew Barton, renowned hairdresser who has won British Hairdresser of the Year and British Hair Icon; and Simon Shaw, Global Artistic Director for Wahl, which creates products for barbers and salons.

The event will run on June 5 at West Suffolk College in Bury St Edmunds, between 5.15 and 7pm.

Marnie Randall, Head of Academy of Hair and Beauty Studies at West Suffolk College, said: “We realise we can’t influence the future of the industry and the quality of hairdressing students alone.

“We really need businesses to come along and be part of the conversation. The idea is that they are working with us and the Fellowship to create a secure future for the industry.”

The event will be organised by Marnie Randall, Barry Stevens – CEO of the Fellowship of British Hairdressers – and Joe Sadler, Business Development Executive for the college.

West Suffolk College is partnering with the Fellowship of British Hairdressers to pioneer the new system of accreditation.

The Fellowship of British Hairdressers is a group with some of the best names in hairdressing, which work voluntarily to support and give back to the industry.

Under the plans, academies, colleges and other training providers will be assessed by the Fellowship to become centres of excellence if they reach a high standard.

West Suffolk College is the first centre of excellence. After a year, applications will open to other course providers.

Marnie Randall, who has spent 18 months working on the project with the CEO of the Fellowship, continued: “Many individuals get recognition for hairdressing, but the fact is they needed training.

“I decided there should be recognition for training and education.

“The point isn’t only that the best in education get the recognition they deserve – but that students benefit.

“All West Suffolk College’s hairdressing and barbering students will become members of the Fellowship, meaning they get things like access to the Fellowship app that gives extra training.

“Staff also benefit from Fellowship knowledge and ensure what we are teaching is completely current.

“A Fellowship Finishing School in June will see 15 of our best hairdressing students and seven of our best barbering students undergo rigorous training with some of the best in the industry.

“The opportunity will go to those students who have consistently shown passion for their industry – who are so keen you can’t miss their keenness.

“At the end of the five days, the students will receive either a bronze, silver or gold certificate and will get an award for being part of the training. “

The Finishing School will involve teaching by a two-time Hairdresser of the Year winner, a salon group owner, a Barber of the Year winner and the world record holder for the fastest hair braiding.

Centres of excellence will be awarded either bronze, silver or gold according to the standard of training, and current plans are for them to be reassessed every two years – though this could change.