Moussing the Hairdressing Industry for PR Scotland.

The beauty sector is booming as more turn flock to the salon for a career – reports the Edinburgh Evening News.

Proof that the hairdressing and beauty industries have somewhat defied the recession is evident from the buzz at one of Edinburgh’s most popular salons.

Neil Barton’s salon which opened five years ago  – just as the banking crisis was about to hit – is packed with clients looking to coiff their doo’s with a slick of hairspray, proving we still enjoy the odd self-indulgent treat.

According to Habia, the UK’s hair and beauty industry authority, nearly 16,000 people are employed in the business across Scotland through 3300 employers, recording a combined annual turnover of more than £400 million. Across the UK the industry has an annual turnover of £6 billion and employs a quarter of a million people.

With the stats comes evidence that the hairdressing industry should be regarded as being one of the biggest players in securing the financial health of the country. Edinburgh’s College sees 90 per cent of such graduates going into 
employment or further education therefore such training should be applauded.

Mandy Exley, principal of Edinburgh College, said: ““The scale of the value to the Scottish economy from this sector is as impressive as it is immense,” she says. “But more so it sharply rebukes suggestions that hair and beauty courses are a waste of time in the FE sector and that students only fall into these courses as a last resort.

“That is an insult to both FE colleges and to the students whose commitment and endeavour is being reflected in the considerable benefits they are providing to the economy.”

Neil Barton staunchly agrees and praised Edinburgh’s Telford College for giving him the skills required to be successful in what can be a ruthlessly competitive world.

He added: “If you want to be a success, and to make money, you have to get the basics right, if you want to be a success, and to make money, you have to get the basics right, and that’s what college can do – everything from reception to shampooing to cut and colour. It puts you on the right path if that’s where your career lies.”

In Edinburgh there’s plenty of success for aspiring hairdressers to attempt to emulate. Charlie Miller, Cheynes, the aforementioned Paterson’s, Medusa and Neil Barton are all well-respected, award-winning salons. 

The coverage can be read in full on the Edinburgh Evening News website and was secured on behalf of Edinburgh College thanks to an ongoing PR campaign with Holyrood PR.