Birthday celebrations for TCAT's hair and beauty salons

The college has invested around £125,000 in a total revamp of its five training salons to create The Retreat, with bookings from clients up by around 20 per cent in the first year.

The team has also built strong partnerships with around a dozen local salons, which are offering work placement to students.

The Retreat has three beauty salons, used for both training and commercial use, each with 10 work stations, plus two hair salons which each have 16 work stations.

There is also a large reception area offering a range of beauty products for sale, a sauna and steam room, and a new high-spec booking system is being installed during February.

Charlotte Denby, quality co-ordinator for hairdressing and beauty therapy at TCAT, said: "We're really proud of the facilities, and the services we can now offer at The Retreat.

"It is a friendly and relaxing suite of treatment areas, where our aim is to make sure clients are relaxed, rejuvenated and recharged. We offer a vast range of hair and beauty treatments from waxing, massage and facials to nail enhancements, eye treatments, makeup, and hair treatments such as cut and blow dries, colour, hair up and conditioning."

All of TCAT's hair and beauty students will be completing a week's work experience during the next few months, and Charlotte said the team were grateful for the support being given by many local businesses.

"The salons which have agreed to have our students for placements include Belle Beauty in Wellington, Glow Beauty and Shabby2Chic of Trench, the QHotels Spa at Sutton Heights, and Sweetcheeks from Dawley.

"Others on the list include First Impressions from Shifnal, Top Knot, Blow Dry Express and The Strand all from Wellington, KLF of Madeley, and Jessica's Hair Salon, based at Oakengates."

"More are still to be agreed, and we are very proud of what the students have achieved with securing these placements.

"The time they spend at these salons will improve their employability skills, enhance their CV's and could potentially lead to full or part employment."

One local salon, Belle Beauty based within Rizzo's Wellington, enquired about taking on a part-time student in the salon.

Charlotte said: "Due to the time of year, not all our students were ready for part-time employment – but Zaneta Hyjek was keen to approach the salon for work experience and also agreed to do some volunteer work until she was able to offer treatments fully."

Salon owner Kayleigh Crowton was more than happy for Zaneta to do this, and she has now been offered her work experience placement at the salon.

Charlotte said: "Zaneta has worked incredibly hard to develop her practical skills and knowledge for her chosen career in beauty therapy. I am very proud of how far she has progressed.

"She works to a high standard when performing practical treatments, consulting with clients and when producing written work."

To find out more about The Retreat at TCAT, contact 01952 642466 or email TheRetreat@tcat.ac.uk for availability, prices and appointments.