Day: May 10, 2013

Edinburgh College Hair Salon Awarded the Wella Centre of Excellence Status

Edinburgh College has become only the second college in Scotland to be recognised as a Centre of Excellence by Wella, and one of just 30 throughout the UK. The accolade not only reflects the top class facilities and training available at the college but offers additional opportunities for students to take part in nationwide competitions and schemes run by the leading hair product manufacturer.

Carol Fyfe, Head of Tourism & Hospitality at Edinburgh College, received the award during the recent Head Candi hairdressing showcase event at the college. She said: “It is an honour to be recognised as one of only two Centres of Excellence in Scotland. The team have worked incredibly hard to develop and maintain high quality training in hairdressing. This new partnership with Wella will help us to provide the latest advanced training for staff and students. The experience gained by students will ensure that they are able to progress seamlessly into the world of work once they have completed their training and excel in the competitive hairdressing industry.”

Ashley Bennett, Area Manager for the Wella brand, presented the plaque. He said: “Wella is passionate about supporting young students and getting them started in the hairdressing industry. By working in partnership with Edinburgh College we believe that young people will get the best possible start to their hairdressing career. The award represents the quality of the facilities at the college but more importantly the quality of the education for the students. Good training is key to the success of our industry and this accreditation shows the great respect Wella has for the work that Edinburgh College does.”

As a result of the accreditation the college will now benefit from the latest professional advice and products, and the credibility within the industry that such accreditation can provide for both staff and students.

This award follows two high profile events which were hosted at Edinburgh College this month – the Scottish World Skills hairdressing national finals and the Wella Xposure competition.

39-year-old Level 3 Hairdressing student Dianne Lally from Clermiston, said: “The Wella Xposure competition was just a brilliant day for all of us on the course. I got through to the semi-finals in the commercial cut and colour category and was really pleased to get this far in a Wella competition. I went for an androgynous look, with a shorter blunt underneath cut and a feminine feathered style on top – I think this quirky and unique style is what caught the judges’ attention.”

Dianne added: “It was great to get the experience to compete in a national competition like Wella Xposure on our course at College. It’s really well known and respected and I think it will open up a few doors for me when I leave College and start my own business.”

Carol Fyfe, Edinburgh College, was delighted that the College was chosen as the venue for these events. “Hosting and competing in these high profile events is fantastic experience for our students. We are now looking forward to hosting another high-profile event at Edinburgh College. The World Skills beauty event takes place this week and will see hundreds of students coming through our doors to compete in beauty competitions and use our state-of-the-art facilities.

“The World Skills competition is an amazing showcase of the vast variety of beauty skills we have at the College, from beauty therapy, aromatherapy, high fashion and photographic makeup to nail art. I’m sure the event will inspire our young people and will shine a spotlight on the most talented beauty students across the country.”

Picture: (L-R) Ashley Bennett, Wella, Carol Fyfe Head of Tourism & Hospitality at Edinburgh College and Wella’s Andrew Wilkie.