Celebrity hairdresser, Lee Stafford, has officially opened a new training academy at Bournemouth & Poole College.
He cut the ribbon on the first Lee Stafford Hair Academy in the south west, which is based at the Lansdowne site of the College, with the help of Diane Grannell, principal, and Suzy Parkinson, learning manager for hair and beauty.
Lee Stafford has gained national recognition for winning numerous awards and for his work on TV. His bright pink haircare product range is sold exclusively through Boots in the UK and in another 40 countries worldwide.
Speaking at the launch of the first Lee Stafford Hair Academy in the region, Lee said: “We have 22 ‘recipes’ that we coach at the academy in Bournemouth, which have been designed by some of the best hairdressers in the world.
“These are all classic, commercial techniques that a young person can literally take into the real world to get a job, build a rapport with people, and then adapt to suit the latest trends.”
He added: “Bournemouth & Poole College is a great place with fantastic staff and all my team are raving about the trainers here. The students are very positive and they have a great attitude. I have very high hopes for the academy in Bournemouth.”
In the evening, Lee hosted an event at the College which was attended by around 180 hairdressing professionals from Dorset to showcase some of his techniques. Steve Harris, BBC Radio Solent’s Breakfast in Dorset presenter, acted as the compere for the event which featured three members of staff from the College. Lee aimed to showcase what the new academy has to offer to those aspiring to start a career in hairdressing and to employers seeking a training provider that offers the highest quality training around.
Diane Grannell, principal of the College, said: “We are really excited about the venture that we have entered into with Lee. Hairdressing is a growing industry locally and we are producing hairdressers with the right level of skill. Our association with Lee will ensure that everybody who leaves the College’s salon has the right level of skills to be effective and creative in today’s industry.
She added: “I think that it will give a level of accreditation to our College which we will be really proud of in the future.”
Suzy Parkinson, learning manager for hair and beauty, said: “This will raise the profile of the College and improve the students’ experience. Our staff will benefit from collaborating with the Lee Stafford franchise training programme. Lee brings with him on trend creative looks, so our students will be learning the latest techniques, which will in turn meet the demands of employers and industry.”
For more information about the hairdressing and barbering courses at Bournemouth & Poole College, go to www.thecollege.co.uk