CedarBridge Hairdressing Students Visit Salons
Seventeen City and Guilds Hairdressing students from CedarBridge Academy recently visited several salons throughout the island, exploring the possibilities of employment in the hair salon industry.
“When you leave school and enter into the world, it is a different experience from class,” said student Carlita Franks. “Visiting these salons opened my mind about what the hair industry is about. I was able to observe how a salon operates as a business and it is a different experience from in class.”
The City and Guilds Hairdressing programme was introduced in 2003 by Janet LePage, the Personal Care instructor. As students, they practice on parents, staff and members of the community. In the past the programme has hosted a day of beauty for senior citizens, they have worked backstage for performing arts shows, and at one time, they treated media personalities to a day of beauty.
“I started the City & Guilds programme when I realized the students needed to have something to aim for and also to validate the course with an International Certification,” said Mrs. LePage. “Since then we have had 100% pass rates with a high percentage of Distinctions and Credits.”
The most recent experience was the field trip to visit island salons. “I took the City and Guilds Class on a field trip around Bermuda so they could get a feel for the many different trades in this industry, “said Ms. Taiyana Rayner, current substitute teacher for the City and Guilds class. “I believe it was educational for them.”
Ms. Rayner explained that she initially had several salons planned to visit; however, time only allowed for students to visit Willow Stream, Body Essentials, Salon Store, Salon 27, Transformations, M.A.C, Salon Pink and Sunshine Co. “I am truly appreciative of the salons that agreed to see the students, too bad we ran out of time and could not visit others.”
According to Ms. Rayner, the field trip broadened the students’ knowledge of the industry and it provided them with an opportunity to meet future employers and offer resumes for future employment. “Students learned about the many different products used in each salon,” she said.
During discussions with cosmetologists students were provided the opportunity to discover where and when the staff attended school, recognizing the importance of being educated in the skill.
“My goal, after leaving CBA is to attend a beauty school in Canada,” said Carlita. “Now at least I have an idea of what to expect when I attend beauty school or do an internship.”
As students in the City and Guilds class, students are taught Health and Safety, Colours, Appearance, Client Care, Chemical Care, Team work, Dressing Hair, Skin Care, Nail Care, Stock Control and more.
“It is very different from class to the world,” said Carlita. “This field trip taught me how real the topics taught are, so when I do my internship, I know what I am doing. I know what to expect, when working with different hairstylist and I know howto greet customers with care, making them feel as if they are cared for.”
According to Mrs. LePage, many of the students have gone on to further training in the industry overseas and locally, especially after visiting the UK to look at schools. Some have remained overseas.
“I know of has opened her own salon in the Azores after working locally for a number of years.A large number of CBA alumni working in local salons, Willowstream, Strands, Eden and one is the manager owner of Allure. We also have girls who are nail technicians in various salons,” she said.
Principal of CedarBridge Academy Mrs. Kalmar Richards said, “I think it terrific that we can offer our students an authentic and quality hairdressing programme – in a purpose built salon – which allows them to earn an international certificate in hairdressing.
“I am indebted to Mrs. LePage for implementing the City and Guilds Hairdressing Programme at CedarBridge Academy. She has held students to high standards and inspired so many to obtain additional professional qualifications in this area. I have personally had the opportunity to have my hair permed by one of our students and she did a first class job!
“I also appreciate Ms. Taiyana Rayner, substitute teacher, stepping in to continue the programme. She has already begun to make notable contributions to the programme as she implements both the barbering and hairdressing programme.”
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two ladies on the bus yesterday talking about Berkeley Institute and Cedarbridge. Questin was asked “Why is that Berkeley has laptops yet Cedarbridge doesn’t yet their students are getting better grades?” Answer “Cedarbridge doesn’t have distractions” and that is so very true.
Nice. Cedarbridge Academy Class of 2003. Proud alum.
positive spotlight. great job cba’ites!