An Exeter training academy for hair-stylists has been handed European cash to support disadvantaged people and job seekers to become barbers.
Hair@theAcademy is the only training salon of its kind in the 海角视频, has received the grant, arranged before the 海角视频 fully left the EU transition period, to deliver Level 2 barbering qualifications to disadvantaged young people in Exeter and its surrounding area.
Applicants need to be over the age of 16, with low income, unemployed or who have been struggling to apply for barbering training from other education providers.
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With only a total of 20 places allocated and spaces filling fast. Applicants will be invited for an informal interview to discuss their current situation. Dependent on Covid-19 guidelines, some interviews may take place virtually.
The 19-week barbering course will be a staggered start with first classes taking place on January 8. The one-day-a-week session will be held on Fridays during the day or in the evenings at the salon in Kimberly Road.
Each student will be given their own personal barbering kit and will be work-ready on the successful completion of the training programme.
“This is ground-breaking and identifies the need at this level within education.” said Mary Pugsley, who owns and runs Hair@theAcademy. “It’s a life-changing course for disengaged young people who cannot access this funding anywhere else or feel too frightened to apply because they may have mental health or anxiety issues. Our first sign-up is an asylum seeker, so it really is available for people from all walks of life.”
In addition, the Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT), a specialist awarding and assessment organisation offering vocational and technical qualifications in a range of service sectors, has launched a new mental health awareness qualification with the help of Hair@theAcademy. Alongside the barbering qualification, students will have the opportunity to gain a Level 1 mental health awareness qualification.
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Ms Pugsley said: “It’s well-known clients develop a trusting relationship with their hairdresser and beauty therapists; feeling safe in opening up to them when something is causing them concern. “Offering this qualification to our students will not only help them to recognise where there is a problem, but also gives them the tools on how to understand and help.
“I feel it’s really important to identify and support mental health, particularly during Covid-19 when it is more vital than ever, and we are fortunate to have access to our own counsellor who joined us two years ago to help our students, particularly through these current challenging times.”
The full suite of market-leading qualifications developed by VTCT, which has acquired the examination body iTEC, covers hairdressing and barbering, beauty therapy, complementary therapy, sport, active health and fitness, hospitality and catering, business, retail, and learning and development.
Kelly Huntington, head of 海角视频 sales, iTEC and VTCT said: “Being responsive to the needs of the industry is a top priority for iTEC and VTCT. We recognise there is a need to provide education on mental health awareness and insight to barbers, hairdressers, and therapists so they can best respond in these situations. As a result, we have launched our new regulated Level 1 Award in Mental Health Awareness.
“Mental Health issues affect one in four people every year. Our qualification helps learners develop a knowledge and understanding of mental health and wellbeing, allowing them to better understand the range of mental health conditions and how they affect individual lives as well as the impact on society and the world.”
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Ms Pugsley and her team offer training in hairdressing, barbering and customer service for vulnerable and disadvantaged young people, helping them re-train in a new trade in order to get into paid work.
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Formerly based at Exeter’s Deaf Academy, Hair@theAcademy relocated to new larger premises in the heart of the city, generously funded by The Incorporation of Weavers, Fullers and Shearmen of Tuckers Hall charity, based in Fore Street.
The hair and beauty industry contributes £6.6billion annually to the 海角视频 economy with barbershops showing highest growth on the high street. The hair and beauty sector has more than 49,000 businesses and employs almost 337,000 people across the 海角视频.
John McNally MP is chair of the Hair All-party Parliamentary Group on the hair industry and a staunch supporter of Ms Pugsley and the Hair@theAcademy.
He said: “It would be a great step forward for this model of excellence in raising personal self-esteem and paths to a better life, to be adopted across all relative partner agencies.”