Hairdressing Students Gain Industry Insight and Build Career Connections

Around 80 Hairdressing students took part in a successful industry-focused event on 27 April, combining a morning Progression Conference with an afternoon networking session designed to support student employability, career progression and industry engagement.

Organised by Curriculum Head of Hairdressing & Barbering Cristina Devine, the full-day event brought together industry professionals, employers and former students to give learners valuable insight into the hairdressing sector and opportunities available after College.

The morning conference featured seven guest speakers — Alan Edwards, Victoria Miller, Paolo Andreuccetti, Stacey Riley, Sara Arkajeki, Scott Cooper and Jay Hanlin — who shared honest accounts of their career journeys, industry experiences and advice for students entering the profession. Learners gained first-hand insight into the realities of working in hairdressing, including the importance of confidence, professionalism and continuous development.

In the afternoon, students had the opportunity to meet representatives from local salons and organisations during a dedicated networking event aimed at helping learners build industry connections and explore work placement and employment opportunities. The event formed part of the College’s wider employability and partnership strategy, which focuses on embedding meaningful industry experience into student learning.

As a direct result of the department’s strong industry links, a number of students have already successfully secured salon placements, providing valuable hands-on experience and further opportunities to develop their practical skills within professional salon environments.

Cristina Devine said:

“This was a fantastic opportunity for students to hear honest, real-life experiences from people working successfully in the industry while also giving them the chance to connect directly with employers and salons. Events like this help learners build confidence, understand the different career pathways available and feel more prepared for their future careers.”

Industry partners also welcomed the opportunity to engage with emerging talent and strengthen relationships with the College.

David Nicolson from Rainbow Rooms said:

“It felt like a really positive day with loads of engaged students. Thank you for the opportunity to get involved, hopefully this collaboration can make a real difference to all of our futures.”

Feedback from students was extremely positive, with many describing the event as inspiring, informative and motivating. The successful day highlighted the department’s strong partnerships with industry and alumni, while reinforcing the College’s ongoing commitment to preparing students for employment through real-world industry engagement alongside their studies.