'but habia is different...'

Last night I attended an overview of the Diploma in Hair and Beauty Studies, which launches in 2009. The course is part of a new education initiative involving 14 different industries and you'll be able to read more about it on hji.co.uk and in the Hairdressers Journal in the coming weeks. My lasting impression from the evening was how much more united, more progressive and more enthusiastic the hair and beauty industries are than other professions.I found myself sat next to a representative from the Department for Children, Schools and Families, who was explaining how difficult it had been to get employers from other sectors involved in the diplomas. He recalled a meeting where they had been discussing how they could work with industry professionals in each of the sectors that will have diplomas. The topic came round to the Hair and Beauty diploma and it was agreed that 'habia is different. They have very special relationships within the industry'. He also had tales of companies from other industries refusing to get involved or disclose information if their rivals would be doing so. Hardly conducive to bringing out the best for the future! Habia, in contrast, have had wide-spread support from the hair industry so far. The fact that key players are keen to share their knowledge and help to bring a new generation of hair professionals through, shows what a healthy place the hair industry is in; not just now but in the future too...