HJ BUSINESS SPONSORED
HJ VOICENOTES
This month we have a special edition of HJ Voicenotes where we talk to two college lecturers about inspiring the next generation
DEBBIE DANNATT, Lecturer at the Bromley campus of London South East Colleges
I’ve been in the industry for nearly 20 years, teaching for 8, and hairdressing education has changed a lot since I was starting out. Everything is found online and on social media, but it’s not always to the best standard. It’s about bringing digital learning into your classroom, but from respected, professional sources. Having the name L’Oréal on our education materials really speaks to our learners, they know and respect the brand. Future Talent on L’Oréal Access has also got different resources, not just for the students and apprentices, but for the lecturers too.
Education works closely with local employers and industry specialists to support both delivery and the development of talent, ensuring learners leave fully prepared to excel in their careers. By partnering with those at the forefront of industry, we help shape learners skills and career paths, making sure they are equipped to perform at the highest level and thrive in the workplace.
It’s a big challenge for new graduates who are just starting work in a salon. But we encourage them to talk to their team members and their managers, and we tell them that everything that they’ve learnt in college is always accessible on L’Oréal Access, and advise them to continually reinforce their learning. I advise them to throw themselves in, be open-minded, have fun with it, get creative, and put your personality into their work as well.
To any lecturers reading this – as hairdressers, we never stop learning. Engage your students in competitions like L’Oréal Colour Trophy Future Talent, it gets people out from behind the chair and thinking beyond the salon.
LISA CHARLES, Head of the Hair and Beauty department at Nescot College
It’s hard when salons doubt the quality of the education that comes from colleges. The government gives us 10.5 hours a week to deliver hair education. So, for a full-time course, our students might only be hands-on and in college for 3 days, with additional work experience in salons. Some people think lecturers have short days and long holidays, but I can absolutely speak for my team that we work 24/7. On top of lesson plans, marking, and being there for the students (we are so often their guidance counsellors, as well as their lecturers) we need to be updating our own CPD. This isn’t a nine to five job. That’s where L’Oréal Access can really support lecturers, as well as students, with their online resources.
I have been involved in a steering group shaping the Future Talent content on L’Oréal Access, which has been amazing. I was able to give a voice from lecturers, and get input from our learners on what they need. As well as L’Oréal we also have amazing support from TONI&GUY and their education team. We’d love to hear from local salons and involve them in shaping the type of hairdressers they want too. Being a hairdresser is not just about cutting hair, it’s about empathy. You can’t always learn these soft skills in a college environment, so I’ve taken students to the Royal Marsden Hospital where we do haircuts for sick children.
I’m so proud of my students, they’re from all different backgrounds but can all achieve greatness. One learner came to college wanting to do hairdressing, but without any GCSEs (it’s essential to get a grade 3 in Maths and English to get on a hairdressing course). She got her Maths and English, then her level 2 and 3 in hairdressing. She has just been nominated for a Student of the Year award – I couldn’t be prouder.