Opportunities and education for young hairdressers

Young hairdressers are embracing the opportunity to progress and gain skills as part of a team. Sophie Hines looks at the opportunities available... Sebastian Professional Cult team “There have been so many amazing experiences and highlights since being part of the Sebastian Professional Cult team,” says Lisa Bates, who works at The Vinery Hair Salon in Huddersfield. “Working alongside Dom Capel on a film for Jayne Pierson and backstage at London Fashion Week for the Haizhen Wang show were both exciting. We were also involved in Sebastian’s 40th anniversary at the Bloomsbury Ballrooms in London, which was great fun.” Lisa says that being part of the team has also helped her promote herself in the media. “I’ve had some good press locally and in the hair industry, which has benefited me and the salon where I’m based,” she explains. “My advice for the future Cult team members would be to always work as a team, embrace and learn from every opportunity, be open-minded and fearless and be ready to experience the unexpected. And don’t forget to have fun!” Who can enter? All applicants to the Sebastian Professional Cult team must have completed the company’s four-day MOB training programme. What opportunities does it offer? The chosen team kickstart their experience with a boot camp, where they get the chance to immerse themselves in the world of Sebastian Professional. Members also get the opportunity to work backstage at London Fashion Week, assisting the Sebastian Professional creative design team, and to appear on stage at the many Sebastian Professional Cult evenings. How can you join? Applications for the next Sebastian Professional Cult team will open in September 2013, with successful applicants going through to auditions in December 2013. For more information, speak to your Sebastian account manager. Call 0845 601 8128 or visit www.sebastianprofessional.co.uk for more information. Wella Professionals Generation Now As well as providing an amazing learning experience, being part of Wella Professionals Generation Now has had far-reaching benefits for Lauran Brinson of the Andrew Price Group in Wales. “My skills and confidence have come on leaps and bounds this year, and this has been reflected in my figures back at the salon,” she says. “My clientele has expanded and my clients love to hear about what I’ve been up to with the rest of the team. I feel confident in knowing that I’m giving them the best service possible and know how to advise them on the latest techniques and trends.” Charlotte Boardman, of Jamilla Paul salon in Lancashire, agrees that the experience has been hugely positive. “One of the major highlights for me has been getting to present on stage in front of a large audience,” says Charlotte. “It’s great to be part of a team of like-minded hairdressers who are all hungry to grow and develop.” Who can enter? The next crop of rising stars hungry to make their mark in the world of hairdressing. What opportunities does it offer? The Generation Now team enjoy a sensational year of high-profile events, mentoring from iconic hairdressers and empowering education to develop and hone their skills. How can you join? Entrants must complete an entry form and submit one recent full-length colour photo of themselves and a commercial cut and colour. Thirty will be shortlisted and invited to audition for Generation Now, where six stylists will be chosen. Entry forms for next year’s team will be available from May 2014. Call 0845 691 8128 or visit  www.wellaprofessionals.co.uk for more information. ghd Style Squad For those passionate about the world of session styling, becoming part of the ghd Style Squad 2013 has proved to be a great experience. Rush Hair Epsom’s Frayja Tedman says: “I’m really psyched to be working with ghd and expanding my skills as a hairdresser. Hopefully it will propel me into the world of session hair.” She continues: “Already, the knowledge shared has given us an insight into fashion-focused areas of the hairdressing industry, and I’m looking to soak up as much as I can.” Graeme Snell, of Frances Hunter in Stirling, is also grateful for his place on the team. “As a mature assistant aged 27, there are not a lot of opportunities in our industry if you’re brand new, but I say think big, and go for it,” says Graeme. “Take the step because if you want to change, only you can make it happen.” Who can enter? Talented young hairdressers looking for privileged backstage access. What opportunities does it offer? The ghd Style Squad begin their experience with a three-day induction in London, and go on to train with Zoe Irwin and Debbie G. There is also plenty of opportunity to work backstage at fashion events, and to be part of the ghd team to present at Salon International. How can you join? Applications open in January and close in May, when entrants are expected to return completed forms and a moodboard of their favourite seasonal London Fashion Week show. Shortlisted finalists are then invited to London for a one-on-one interview with a panel of high-profile judges. To register interest email [email protected] FAME Team The Fellowship of British Hairdressing’s renowned FAME team is an annual venture that aims to nurture an elite group of up-and-coming young hairdressers. Matthew Sutcliffe, from North-Eastern salon group Westrow, is one of the chosen four for 2013, and he is already relishing the experience. “We’ve had so many amazing opportunities to be educated by the best in the industry,” says Matthew. “The time and effort that people have given us is testament to what the Fellowship stands for.” Joshua Goldsworthy of Goldsworthy’s salon in Swindon is also enjoying the experience, and hopes to follow in the footsteps of some of the former FAME team members who inspire him. “Errol Douglas, Jamie Stevens and Lisa Shepherd are some of the standout figures who have previously done this,” he says. “I also work closely with a member of my own team Vicky Turner who was on the first all-female FAME team. She has always been a great role model for me and was the reason I applied.” Who can enter? Fellowship members under the age of 30. What opportunities does it offer? The FAME team enjoy a busy and fulfilling year that includes photo shoots, PR representation, work on shows and seminars plus training and mentoring from some of the biggest names in the business. How can you join? Nominated exclusively by Fellowship members, the potential team members undergo a rigorous selection process that includes photographic work, a test of their ability to recreate their photographs, a detailed CV, an in-depth interview, a haircut, a long-hair assessment and a two-minute live demonstration of their hairdressing skills on-stage at Salon International. Call 01295 724579 or visit www.fellowshiphair.com for more information. [gallery columns="5" ids="21901,21902,21900,21899,21893"] Schwarzkopf Young Artistic Team The Schwarzkopf Professional Young Artistic Team (YAT) 2013 has enjoyed a varied and exciting year so far. Hayley Quinlin, a stylist at Tikadi in Ongar, is one of five members to have been put through her paces with training in presenting, social media and PR. “Very soon we have a day with Charlie Taylor where we will be learning advanced hairdressing skills,” says Hayley. “I can’t wait. Since being on the team I’ve been involved with so many industry events – it’s opening lots of doors.” Hayley credits joining YAT with boosting her confidence in her chosen career, and says she is most looking forward to the end-of-year photo shoot.  “It’ll be great to put all that I have learnt this year into practice and work with some of the best people in the industry to create my own shots,” she says. Who can enter? Schwarzkopf Professional created the YAT with its future ambassadors in mind. It is open to stylists aged under 25 who work for a Schwarzkopf Professional pH salon. What opportunities does it offer? A year of intensive training under the watchful eye of Schwarzkopf Professional’s top trainers and ambassadors. Led by manager Catherine Adams, YAT members learn to cut, colour and style the Schwarzkopf Professional way and get to put their presentation skills to the test at several industry events throughout the year. They round off the experience with a high-end photographic shoot created with an award-winning photographer and team. How can you join? Entrants must be nominated by their employer and complete an entry form along with a recent photograph of their hair work. The deadline for this first round is the end of November. This is followed by an interview and presentation stage. Call 01296 314000 or visit www.schwarzkopf-professional.co.uk for more information Clynol Protégé team “I feel like a better hairdresser and a better person since joining the Clynol Protégé team,” reveals 2013 member, Lauren Britton. The young stylist, who works at Altered Image in Tring, says the training so far has been second to none, praising in particular “a three-day stint with Debbie G on how to present”. Being involved with the Clynol Profile Weekend in June gave Lauren and the team an insight into the busy but brilliant world of backstage hairdressing, while the photo shoot is something they’re all looking forward to. “I have gained a lot of knowledge from being in the team,” says Lauren. “I have passion and respect for the other members and hope they all do well in the future.” Who can enter? The Clynol Protégé team is tailormade to nurture the talent of young creatives from Clynol’s Profile Account salons. It is open to those under 25 who want to enjoy a year of career-shaping education and opportunity. What opportunities does it offer? The successful six have a year of intensive training from some of the best in the business, headed up by Protégé team manager Jamie Farrar. New techniques in cutting, colouring and styling, plus hands-on experience at events and PR training, will all culminate with a professional photographic shoot. How can you join? Entering is as simple as filling out an application form, which should be returned to the Clynol head office in time for the November deadline. Successful candidates will then be invited to a judging day where they will present a model and their ideas to an X Factor-style judging panel comprised of industry press and high-profile hairdressers. Call 01296 314000 or visit www.clynol.com for more information. L’Oréal Colour Academy “Making it through to the final of the L’Oréal Colour Trophy and hearing Alexa Chung announce my name on stage was amazing,” says Megan Brooking, a L’Oréal Colour Academy member from Millers Salon in Hertfordshire. She is looking forward to starting off her intensive colour training, after winning Eastern Young Colourist of the Year. “I feel the experience will give me a lot more confidence and help me believe in my skills and ideas,” she continues. “It’s going to be great to exercise my creativity in colour, and yet maintain the technical expertise required.” Who can enter? Any hairdresser aged between 16 and 25. What opportunities does it offer? Mentored by an acclaimed artistic hairdresser each year, the course is filled with creative lessons, opportunities to get involved with photo shoots and international seminars. How can you join? Candidates are required to submit photographic entries into the L’Oréal Colour Trophy competition. One winner from each Colour Trophy region is then chosen to have a place on the L’Oréal Colour Academy. The L’Oréal Colour Trophy opens each January. Call 020 8762 4193 or visit www.lorealcolourtrophy.com for more information. Fellowship Project X An all-round learning experience is how Harpreet Bhogal from Headmasters salon in Richmond describes Project X. “It helps you understand other elements of the industry, such as how to PR yourself and working on photo shoots,” says Harpreet. “It’s been great to work with amazing mentors, and I’ve gained a new-found confidence.” Fellow Project X team member Rom Sartipi, of Percy & Reed London, says it can help with career goals. “Whether you want to learn new techniques or gain confidence, or feel inspired, I recommend Project X,” says Rom. “If you enter, have in mind a goal of where you want to be by the end of the year, and I guarantee you will achieve it.” Who can enter? Project X is a year-long education course designed to be hairdressing’s ultimate finishing school. It is open to anyone with a passion for learning and growing their professional skills. What opportunities does it offer? The Fellowship promises an extraordinary year of mentoring, shoots, education and stage time with industry greats. Project X members will learn cutting, session styling, presentation skills and branding, with mentors including Mark Hayes, Zoe Irwin and Anthony Mascolo. How can you join? Available to entrants of all ages, who must pass a selection process for limited places. There is a fee for signing up, so available funds are a must. Look out for the Project X brochures and application form in the Autumn, or contact Pam Haynes on 01295 724579.