PB meets The London School of Beauty & Make-up
Professional Beauty interviews Claire Edgecombe, Managing Director of one of the UK’s leading beauty therapy and make-up training institution, The London School of Beauty & Make-up.
PB: What is the background of the School and what kind of courses do you offer?
CE: We pride ourselves on being one of the Europe’s leading and largest professional beauty therapy and makeup training provider, gathering students from all over the world. We offer an extensive range of long and short courses with nationally and internationally recognised qualifications. The School prides itself on setting the industry’s educational standard by being a forward thinking and innovative training provider.
Having most recently collaborated with the University of Derby, Buxton to develop a University Certificate in Spa & Salon Management, students can now receive an internationally recognised qualification and develop the fundamental skills needed to successfully operate within a managerial capacity, during a one year online course.
PB: What is your most popular course and what do you think makes it popular?
CE: Within beauty therapy, CIDESCO is likely to be the most popular course, as it is internationally renowned as the most prestigious qualification; it enables graduates to work for premium employers with an accreditation that is recognised worldwide. This intensive course is taught in one year and it equips students with both the fundamental and highly technical skills needed to work for the most exclusive employers within any capacity of the beauty industry.
Within makeup, our 8 week International Makeup Association course is hugely popular as it teaches the critical foundation skills and then progresses into creative and media make-up. The course also offers two opportunities to develop a professional portfolio in our state of the art studio, which is a crucial tool to gather work once qualified.
PB: What makes your School and courses special over the competition?
CE: Not only do we work with only leading lecturers and free-lance experts, but we offer further opportunities to our students to advance their career and CV; opportunities which are only available as a result of our established industry presence and connections. The School’s reputation acts as a huge advantage when it comes to our students’ employment opportunities and further personal development. Our students receive more than just an exceptional standard of training; they can enjoy the indirect benefits which result from the School’s years of experience and industry recognition.
PB: What are the additional benefits of attending your School rather than others?
CE: Firstly, our central location means that students can enjoy the buzz of one of the profession’s most vibrant capitals while being surrounded by work experience opportunities to enhance their CV. Moreover, following huge demand from professionals seeking our students to assist them, we have recently launched an Events Team which attends the city's most exciting, invite-only events, which enables students to develop their CV and network.
The School also has a professionally operating spa and salon, which all beauty therapy students experience as part of their course. The spa and salon training places our students at a huge advantage and distinguishes them from the competition when it comes to employment.
PB: Why should those interested in pursuing a career in make-up or beauty visit your stand at the show?
CE: Both our Head of Beauty and Head of Makeup will be present at the show and available to discuss your future career options, they will be able explain the courses offered and how to best pursue your career aspirations. There will also be makeup demonstrations from the School’s highly acclaimed Head of Makeup as well as the exclusive opportunity to win a free course!
PB: Will you be having any special offers exclusive to the show?
CE: Those who book a course on the day will exclusively receive a 10% discount as well as a professional brush kit, while those who visit the stand can retrieve a promotional code to enjoy a significant deduction on any course booked within a week from the show!
PB: What tips would you give to a prospective student, interested in embarking on a career in the beauty and make-up industry?
CE: This industry is highly competitive, so do not underestimate the qualifications and experience you will need to really succeed. It is essential that whoever you decide to train with, is a reputable institute who offer qualifications which are not just ‘in-house’, but are nationally recognised.
PB: What else is happening outside of the show activities?
CE: We are thrilled to announce that following the success of our highly acclaimed CIDESCO course, we have recently launched a post-graduate CIDESCO course as a new initiative to the school. The post-graduate course will enable students who have already achieved a certain level of training to effectively 'top up' their qualifications to become an elite CIDESCO graduate.
We are also excited to have recently expanded our premises, following the growing intake of students; we will now also be hosting make-up tuition in our centrally positioned Kings Cross location.
?Discover more on The London School of Beauty & Make-up. Visit them on stand F92 at Professional Beauty North, taking place at Manchester Central on 13-14 October. Register here for your free ticket.
