Beauty Traineeships scheme tackles challenges for unemployed teens

Budding beauty therapists in Cheshire are being offered a vital first step into employment thanks to the free beauty traineeships programme with the International School of Beauty Therapy (ISOBT) in Crewe.

The Beauty School’s new traineeships aim to help local school and college leavers who are not in education or training (NEET) and are aged 16-18. The youngsters will receive help through a combination of one to one career coaching, confidence building, off-the-job training and a 15 to 20-week part time work placement in a beauty business, which may lead to an apprenticeship.

Across the UK, there are an estimated 792,000 young people aged 16-24 not in education or training.

To help overcome these issues in Crewe and surrounding areas, youngsters on the traineeship scheme will complete an initial two-week pre-employability course before going on to a work experience placement with a local beauty business, two days per week. They will also complete a qualification in beauty, studying for one day per week at the International School of Beauty based on Nantwich Road, Crewe.

One of the tutors teaching the new trainees is Rebecca Fowles, age 24 – who knows all about the challenges facing young people leaving school, and trained at ISOBT herself.

She explains: “I lacked confidence in school and never dreamt that a career in Beauty Therapy was within my reach. However, I made a great career in the beauty industry, first completing an Apprenticeship at ISOBT and then going on to work in six different beauty salons and continuing to complete various other specialist qualifications. Most recently I completed a Teaching and Assessing qualification, and this has meant that I can now pass on my skills and knowledge to other aspiring beauticians.

She says: “I thrive off helping others and watching them become successful, so being able to now teach my skills to new students is a massive achievement. I couldn’t have got where I am today without the help I’ve had from the International School of Beauty Therapy – now I want to help other young people do the same.”

The traineeship project is led by Stoke-on-Trent-based Acacia Training, owners of the International Schools of Beauty Therapy.

Ann Nixon is leading the traineeship project for Acacia Training and the International School of Beauty Therapy.

She explains: “We are very keen to talk to parents, carers and relatives who have a young person at home who is losing confidence because they haven’t yet found their path after leaving school or college. They may be anxious about further education after having a difficult experience at school, or they might have found it hard to find a job or apprenticeship. They may be losing hope and feeling that lots of doors are not open to them, and their family or carers may be feeling that they don’t know how to support them with their next step.

Our job is to help by working very closely with each young person and their family, and with the employer, as well as ensuring the right support is in place from other agencies if needed.

The ultimate goal for the programme is to get each young person in to a paid beauty apprenticeship after they complete their traineeship. What we are providing is a foot in the door with an employer, a chance to impress and find their confidence in a career they enjoy. We are here to hold their hand all the way, giving them chance to shine and realise their true value.”

More information on Beauty Traineeships can be found by visiting www.acaciatraining.co.uk/traineeships or calling Ann Nixon on 01782 646346.