Toni&Guy Aberdeen Launches Mentorship Programme With Local School

A globally recognised hairdressing brand has embarked on a mentorship programme to introduce Aberdeen school pupils to the industry.

The recurring 4-week mentorship programme, which is the brainchild of Toni&Guy Aberdeen, launches in conjunction with St Machar Academy on Tuesday 18th April and will see 4 pupils, aged 14 to 17, selected to participate from the school. Each pupil will spend approximately 4 hours per week in the salon with a total of 16 hours to complete the programme.

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The scheme aims to build social skills, confidence, self-esteem, attitude, a good work ethic and provide a stepping stone to the hairdressing industry as a potential place of full-time employment.

Max Tate, Toni&Guy Aberdeen salon owner, says, “We have always looked to the younger generation to spark interest in the industry and let them know that this can be a very real and lucrative career. The mentorship programme seemed like a great idea to the whole team. We chose St Machar following attendance at a successful careers day, which the school was holding, and we are excited about the new joint venture and growing relationship with them.. Like me, not everyone is academically minded, so I want pupils to know that if college or university is not for them, they can go straight into learning a really great trade and carve a wonderful career for themselves.”

Max continues, “What I want people starting out on this career path to know is that now you don’t have to move to London to be recognised in this industry – you can stay in your hometown and still work for a globally recognised brand such as Toni&Guy. There are still all the same opportunities available, for example, we recently had the Toni&Guy International Art Team in to the Aberdeen salon to provide hands-on training, showcasing the latest trends and colour/cutting techniques. The team worked with models to recreate looks and fine-tune their skills to the highest levels.”

Max concludes, “This industry is fast paced and hard work but also creative, energetic and fashion forward. I have had the privilege of working at London Fashion Week and for other well known brands such as our own label.m and previously TIGI and L’Oreal. We look forward to welcoming our successful mentorship programme candidates and teaching them key life and work skills, and maybe someday welcoming them into the Toni&Guy family.”

Janice Duncan, Deputy Head of St Machar Academy, says, “We are absolutely delighted at St Machar Academy to be building a partnership with such an internationally renowned and prestigious company as Toni & Guy. To be able to provide our students with professional mentoring, work experience and real insider knowledge of the hairdressing and beauty business is such a valuable opportunity and will equip them to take their place in the world of work with a set of skills already in place. This can only benefit our young people and we are incredibly proud to be associated with this innovative programme.”

Rachel Elliott, DYWNES Manager says, “Developing the Young Workforce North East Scotland is delighted that Toni & Guy is engaging with St Machar Academy. The proposed Mentoring scheme is a fantastic opportunity for pupils to gain valuable practical experience in the work place, build self-confidence, improve communication and social skills and install a good work ethic. All this will stand them in good stead for when they come to choose their career pathway in the future.”

Rachel adds, “This is exactly the sort of initiative we would encourage other organisations to participate in using all the experience and expertise within a business as a resource to prepare young people for the world of work.”

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