A BRUSH with industry experts left students’ hair standing on end after hearing about the limitless career opportunities around the globe.
Fellowship for British Hairdressing chairman Marcus Allen, president Simon Shaw and head of FE Marnie Williams offered the latest cohort of Level 2 and 3 hairdressers an insight into the industry during a visit to Darlington College, one of only two hairdressing centres of excellence in the country.
Simon told the students: “We work with the creme de la crème of British hairdressers, the Top Gun stylists, the best of the best.
“By working with us you have the potential to change your careers, earn big money and be recognised within the industry.
“We work around the world and with the top salons and we have a wealth of knowledge. You have to be in the best college to be even considered and you are lucky to be at Darlington College, a centre of excellence with the best facilities.”
American Marcus, who was once hairdresser to Kylie Minogue an Geri Halliwell, said the Fellowship had been running for the past 80 years and was a shortcut to a successful career as it worked with industry leaders.
He said there was the opportunity to work with celebrities and royalty and earn hundreds of thousands of pounds a year. One young hairdresser he knew earned £17,000 a month.
“The Fellowship is a gateway to get you to where you want to be,” he told students.
He said there would be opportunities around mentoring, events and access to online knowledge. There was a Haircon, a Salon International and opportunity for stage time. “It’s nerve-racking but so exciting,” he said. “And it will get you to be where you want to be so much faster.”
Marnie, who works at the other centre of excellence in Suffolk, said students would get the chance to be selected for a Fellowship finishing school, a five day, intensive training course that would hone their skills, after which they would be able to work anywhere in the world.
It would cover techniques, social media skills and help them develop their own unique styles as well as open doors to employers. “It will help you advance your techniques and work faster, cleaner and become more polished,” she said. “It’s for the students who are most dedicated, for those who look after their stations and respect their craft.”
Darlington College’s head of service industries Maria Harrop said: “Working with the Fellowship really is the most incredible opportunity offering students a springboard into a global industry that is amazingly exciting, lucrative and rewarding.
“Today’s talk was truly inspiring and gave ours students something tangible to aim for in their daily studies and as they develop their craft.”
For more information on opportunities at Darlington College visit www.darlington.ac.uk.