New Programme at Coláiste Dhúlaigh

Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education in Kilbarrack, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020, is just one of the locations where the City of Dublin Education and Training Board offer their new programme. The college itself is spread over four campuses and has provided hairdressing training in its fully fitted salon in Kilbarrack for over 30 years. Since the introduction of the apprenticeship, they have added a second salon which is a state of the art training facility, reflecting current industry standards and requirements. The new programme complements in-salon training while increasing the apprentice's personal and academic confidence, developing highly skilled employees who can work autonomously and develop levels of self-awareness, linking their classroom learning with the challenges they will face in the industry. This provides them with a clear path from entry to qualification, something which has been lacking in many instances until now. Minister for Further and Higher Education Simon Harris TD has welcomed the expansion of the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship, which will be delivered in six new sites. Increased investment in the apprenticeship system over the past five years has provided a solid foundation for the expansion of apprenticeship. Most recently, in March, Minister Harris announced the roll-out

of €20 million in capital funding to respond to the growing demand for apprenticeships. Speaking today, Minister Harris said “Currently there is a skills shortage in hairdressing and many salons are struggling to find suitably qualified hairdressers to sustain and grow their business. I would take this opportunity to ask hairdressers rebuilding after a difficult year to consider taking on an apprentice. To any man or woman considering hairdressing as a career, consider availing of a national apprenticeship programme that allows you to earn while you learn. We are delighted to officially launch this new training facility in Kilbarrack as part of the apprenticeship programme” Kevin Cahill, Coláiste Dhúlaigh’s Hairdressing Apprenticeship Coordinator and Tutor has over 45 years’ experience in the industry. Kevin, a Former IHF President and salon owner comments “While the new structure will provide challenges for the industry, I believe that Irish hairdressing is more than ready for them, and it will be fantastic to see apprentice hairdressers here finish with a qualification that is both nationally and internationally recognised” He continued: “I believe this will have incredible longterm benefits not only for the apprentices but also for the employers and the quality of recruits coming into the industry. The new training salon and dedicated computer hub are among the best facilities to be found anywhere and reflect the exceptional standards in Irish Hairdressing”. The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship is a threeyear programme leading to a nationally recognised QQI Level 6 Qualification in Hairdressing. This programme is an avenue to hairdressing career with many exciting and varied opportunities including self-employment, film and media work and international travel.

More information is available on the NHA website: www.hairdressingapprenticeship.ie

Colaiste Dhulaigh Hairdressing is its first venture into apprenticeships currently with 21 First year apprentices and 11 second year who are in full time employment and attend college on day release one day per week.

In Colaiste Dhulaigh in Kilbarrack we started our fi rst new National Hairdressing Apprenticeship cohort in 2020 and now have 3 groups with 33 apprentices in total. We were very fortunate in June to have Simon Harris TD the Minister of Further and Higher Education, Innovation and Science open our newly refurbished, industry standard salon and bespoke computerised classroom at an event attended by key fi gures from industry and Education. Our aim being to not just replicate what’s happening in the industry but to always help drive it forward. Our 2nd year group had some amazing news this year with 2 of our apprentices up for major awards. Alex Maples of Cats Hair Salon in Clarendon St. Dublin was a fi nalist in this years L’Oreal Colour Trophy Star Award. Alex has worked exceptionally hard with her mentor Sharon in the salon to produce some beautiful work. Alex Dromgoole of Zeba in Sth. William St. Dublin is one of 5 winners of the inaugural Future Talent Award from college entries across all the UK and Ireland. Alex is the only Irish winner of this category and is another one who puts in the hard hours with her trainers in the salon and with her mentor Angie. Our role in the college is to work hand in hand with the salons and mentors and support them in the training of their apprentices enabling them to reach their goals and place the future of our industry in safe and educated hands. Our teachers in the college Olive O’Brien (Kazumi), Alison Clarke (Collage) and myself Kevin Cahill believe that, as always, when the hairdressing industry pulls together we can achieve anything and Alex Maples and Alex Dromgoole certainly show that hard work and talent are a lethal combination.

The Hairdressing Council emerged to provide sector wide representation of professional hairdressing within Ireland to enhance the education and skill of all those involved and to highlight the skills and artistry of hairdressers. President Wayne Lloyd reports “I’ve had the pleasure of being involved in the Hairdressing Council from its conception, fi rstly as an executive committee member then Vice President and fi nally President which I am proud of. The list of work we were involved with included working non-stop on the apprenticeship establishment, its progress and its promotion. We also worked on the Vat increase issues, Covid restrictions related to all health and safety of our members and our clients, the Minimum Wage increase, promoting the industry at schools and events and of course liaising with social welfare regarding the black market, to name just a few work projects! Recently I had the pleasure of contributing to the Hairdressing Apprenticeship Information Seminars around the country with the local ETBs and the Hairdressing Consortium Steering Group (the Guardians of the Apprenticeship). The reason for these seminars are to help promote and encourage new blood into the industry by way of gaining new apprentices and new salon owners taking on the Apprenticeship in their salons. There was really some great interest from those who attended the seminars.

One of the things that I found very rewarding during my time as President was simply taking calls from fellow hairdressers and trying to help them problem solve when they needed business advice and supporting them through it. Sometimes during that time it was also tough for me to run my own salons but I think that it gave me some insight into how to support others. Our membership is continuing to grow which we are very pleased about. We are the largest Hairdressing association in Ireland and it is Free to be a member. We are growing the committee currently and we welcome the new ideas and support they bring. We mourn the loss of one of our own, Mike “Jock” Harte, husband of Maeve O’Healy-Harte, our fellow committee member. Jock was a huge supporter of every aspect of Hairdressing especially for the Council working non-stop behind the scenes to get thing done. He loved being of help to others and part of everything we did. I’d like to take a moment to contemplate our other losses over the past few years whether it was family, friends, business acquaintances etc, and how as an industry some of us have struggled or have not even made it through the Covid pandemic. The Hairdressing Council are proud Members of the OMC (World Hairdressing Association and will continue to forester and support our ‘Team Ireland’ under the direction of our manager Maeve O’Healy-Harte. Personally, I have been an OMC competitor abroad many times, a world winner and an International Juror to date and can say it’s a wonderful way to represent your country, hone your skills, see the world and meet new friends.

I’d like to thank Xpert Professional, Phorest, and the Good Salon Guide for their continued sponsorship and support. As our industry goes into uncharted territory with an uncertain future I can guarantee that the Hairdressing Council Executive Committee under the guidance of a new President will be there to support the industry in the best way we can. Much Love Wayne Lloyd President: Hairdressing Council of Ireland

Some members of the Hairdressing Council of Ireland Executive Committee at their recent meeting at the Radisson Hotel Athlone

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