Posted: 03/02/22
The industry’s finest give students a careers boost
Meetings with celebrity stylists, a visit to an Army Reserve base and an introduction to sports psychology were just some of the activities during a curriculum industry week at West Nottinghamshire College.
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Uniformed protective services students learnt about life with the Army Reserves
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Uniformed protective services students in a Jackal armoured vehicle
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Make-up artist Lauren Slater from Morphe created some outstanding looks
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Simon Gallop from Liberty Barbers demonstrates the wet shave technique
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Simon Gallop used the cut-throat razor to demonstrate to students
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The latest spray tanning techniques were shown in the salons
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Beauty therapy student Lucy Sheffield models for concept artist Emma Fay
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A multi-sports festival was organised for local primary schools
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Sports students were put through some practical paces
Hairdressing, beauty therapy, sports and the uniformed protective services students embraced a ‘new year, new skills’ approach to the annual industry week, which sees students welcome guests from various sectors while learning new skills.
Concept body artist Emma Fay visited media make-up students to show some innovative body art. Emma is known for her Marvels of Nature series, which sees bodies painted in animal forms, while the models use the art of contortionism. She has been featured on television and in many publications including The Telegraph and The Guardian and in a number of campaigns and social causes.
Make-up artist and former student Lauren Slater demonstrated a number of make-up looks, including a vivid eye make-up look for Valentine’s day, using colours from the Morphe make-up range.
Hairdressing students enjoyed special guest talks online from hairdressing experts Sharon Blaine, Clare Murphy and Adam Reed. Sharon is a well-known stylist who produces avant garde hair styles for shows globally. She spoke to students about her experiences throughout 50 years in the industry and her upcoming Australian honours award.
Clare works as a celebrity hairstylist and has recently created the looks on BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. She shared images and experiences of her work with students.
While Adam, owner of Adam Reed London and co-owner of the Percy and Reed haircare product brand, is known for working with celebrities such as Harry Styles and working on X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent. Adam spoke to students about his experience working on London Fashion Week, his TV and film work and the launch of his own brand of haircare products.
Barbering and hairdressing students took top tips from Simon Gallop from Liberty Barbers in Lincoln during his visit to the salon. Simon demonstrated the art of a full wet shave service using the cut-throat razor and steamed towels. This traditional treatment is seeing a resurgence amongst men in salons and is something that once qualified, students can integrate into their hairdressing service.
A number of other hair and beauty themed meetings took place online giving students the chance to hear from experts and business owners in this varied sector. This included Jasmine Gupta from Cancer Hair UK and the ‘Look Good, Feel Better’ team – a national charity which helps boost the physical and emotional wellbeing of people living through cancer.
Level two beauty learners discussed volunteering opportunities at Queen Medical Centre (Nottingham University Hospitals) with the ‘Look Good, Feel Better’ team to look at assisting with skin and make-up workshops for cancer patients who have experienced skin sensitivity due to chemo treatments and hair loss in the scalp, eyebrows and eyelashes.
Students learnt more about the reason why hair loss is experienced when going through chemotherapy, the various treatments patients can have to limit hair loss such as a cold cap and the science behind how hair grows back and the timescales for this.
Throughout the week tutors organised a range of product and treatment updates so that students could work on the latest techniques in the industry. This included a spray tanning demonstration, a range of nail art and gel nail procedures, lash and brow treatments.
It was a lively week in the sports curriculum too as tutors arranged an array of activities and visits to enhance their students’ learning.
The art of refereeing and officiating was demonstrated on the college’s 3G pitch by Nottinghamshire FA on Monday (24 January), giving students the opportunity to work practically and discover some of the key skills and knowledge they would need to be able to referee grassroots football matches safely and effectively.
Students visited Trent Bridge Cricket Club and their Community Trust Team on Friday (28 January) to discover more about community work, employability and work around cricket. The Community Trust’s YouNG project manager Sumaiya Tariq and her team spoke to students about developing their CVs and interview techniques which would help them to stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs in the industry.
Another group ventured to Water Meadows Swimming and Fitness Complex in Mansfield to explore aspects of their National Pool Lifeguard Qualification (NPLQ). Twenty-two students were educated around the assessment which involves diving to retrieve items and timed sprints. Acquiring this certificate will enhance their opportunities for working in the leisure industry, having this lifeguard training.
Around 50 students from eight different primary schools from the Mansfield area joined sports students in the college’s sports hall on Wednesday (26 January) to enjoy a range of sports activities designed and coached by students on the sport, fitness and personal training programme. Pupils took part in multi-sports athletic events where winners progressed to the district finals, while college students put their coaching and leadership skills into practice.
A look into the world of university-level studies was provided for sports students when they visited Nottingham Trent University’s Mansfield campus on Thursday (27 January).
Lecturer Dr Nathan Cobb ran a session on his research into sports analysis and how the science of analysis supports athletes and coaches. Lecturer Helen Norris put students through their paces in laboratory practicals, equipping learners with the skills to progress on to higher education.
Tuesday (25 January) saw representatives from the RAF and Army careers teams join students from the uniformed protective services cohort. Learners could find out more about the wide range of front line careers in the armed forces as well as the technical and specialist roles which are also available.
A look into the life of the Army Reserve was organised on Friday (28 January) when students ventured to the Royal Yeoman (Sherwood Rangers), in Carlton, Nottingham. This provided students with the opportunity to discover how the Army Reserve supports the regular army, at home and abroad. Members of the reserves are full time employed Police, firefighters and a doctor from QMC hospital.
Students learnt about the challenges that come with being a Reservist and how individuals who have specialist skills have the opportunity to use them in new ways. They also discussed the equality and diversity rights of a reservist compared to a regular soldier.
Head of department Sarah Morley said: “It really was an action-packed week full of really valuable activities, visits, careers talks and practical training that our students need to keep abreast of their particular sectors. Everyone took part with lots of enthusiasm and soaked up all of this extra learning and vital tips and techniques which will help students when they take those first steps into new careers.
“I am thankful to all our staff for putting together such an exciting and mixed timetable for industry week and for also leading on tutorials and practical hands-on sessions of their own.”
