Hairstylists can become a cut above the rest by signing up to one of the many courses on offer at the training academy in Oxted’s Elements hair and beauty salon.

The academy, which opened four years ago, offers a range of courses and workshops open to people of all ages from different salons across the area.

These include an NVQ Level 1 and Level 2 in hairdressing, as well as various refresher courses, workshops and apprenticeships.

Barbara McNaughton who runs Elements said: “Our academy accommodates students of all ages from 14 upwards, and we not only train people from our own salon but also other salons too.

“Our students are taught in really cool ways, with a mixture of web-based learning, developing online portfolios, as well as practical hands-on experience.”

Barbara says that the students don’t just learn about hairdressing. For example, one of their workshops teaches people about customer service. So they help people involved in all kinds of businesses.

She said: “Normally students acquire these type of qualifications in a college. However, at our academy they can learn to develop their skills in a commercial environment, so it’s a really good experience for them.

“Those studying for apprenticeships with Elements also get to do work experience in our salon, so this gives them the chance to mix practical work with theory.”

The academy also provides training for apprentices from other salons. Barbara says it is important for the academy to establish links with other salons in the community, and they can be sure that these students won’t be poached by her own salon.

She said: “Funding for these courses is available to all of the students from providers such as Nescot, who we work with to provide this training and our apprenticeships.

“Thanks to Nescot we have been given the freedom to be creative with our training and our students can enjoy a vibrant learning atmosphere coupled with high expectations of standards and professionalism.

“Our own apprentices have been given the flexibility to take what they want from their apprenticeships, and they can learn a lot with one-to-one training with an appointed stylist.”

She added: “Apprenticeships are part of our working culture. They are the lifeblood of industry and the key to our longevity and success.”

To find out more about the academy at Elements visit www.elementslifestyle.co.uk/elementsacademy or call 01883 714 072. To find out more about the apprenticeships provided by Nescot, a college of further and higher education in Epsom, visit www.nescot.ac.uk or call the Apprenticeship Team on 020 8394 8400.