If you love being creative with hair and want to turn that into a career, our courses give you the skills and experience to succeed in professional salons.
Develop your techniques in cutting, styling, and colouring, while also learning how to provide excellent customer service, preparing you for a wide range of opportunities in the Hair and Beauty industry.
There’s no point in keeping your talents hidden, which is why you can take part in skills competitions and industry showcases throughout the year.
The annual KFE4Skills competition could see you compete against students from across Kent in a series of hairdressing challenges.
Previous years have seen our learners win gold medals for their work.
As a Hairdressing student, you’ll gain valuable experience in our on-site Salon and during work placements with local Hairdressing businesses.
These experiences help you to develop yout confidence and skills so that you’re ready to step into work.
Level 2 Hairdressing learner, Rosie, secured a job after honing her hairdressing skills during a work experience placement at local Salon, Beez Neez.
We benefit the local community regularly with social action projects to raise money for local causes.
One opportunity was when we hosted our own hair and fashion show to raise money for The Criterion in Bluetown.
During this event, students proudly created looks based on a set theme, and gained experience of modelling.
We work with local and national industry experts who give you the skills you need to be successful in a future career.
Examples include Hair Plus Academy, StudX Ear Piercing and Ginger Hair and Beauty, who have been teaching our students the art of Balayage.
Expert Barbers also come in to teach workshops directly to students with a focus on textured hair.
Trips to expos such as Salon International; a renowned Hair and Beauty exhibition held at London’s ExCel Centre, give you the opportunity to meet new stylists and try out the latest products.
There are also opportunities to grab freebies, including new styling tools, combs, and samples of hair products.
Hairdressing Lecturer, Jess, is a qualified Hairdresser, offering services locally in Sheerness.
She also used to be a student here and is now passing on the skills and knowledge that you need to become a professional.
She loved taking part in competitions such as KFE4Skills and WorldSkills during her studies, and is a key advocate in ensuring you can also gain these key experiences.
Studying in Sheppey means stepping into our professional Salon, where you have the opportunity to work with real clients.
Here, you’ll gain invaluable experience in a variety of roles, from Stylist and Receptionist to Salon Manager, and get a taste of the many career paths in Hairdressing.
With appointments running throughout the year, you’ll practise your skills in a professional environment, build your confidence, and leave ready to stand out in the industry.
“I loved going to College, it was the best time of my life. It’s so good to have those experiences in College when you start because you understand your career.
“After studying Hairdressing at EKC Sheppey College, I went straight to a local salon in the High Street and grew my career from there.”
We visited Ginger Hair and Beauty in Sheerness to see how placements are supporting both learners and employers, and to find out what it’s really like to step onto the salon floor.
Discover what Level 2 Hairdressing student, Frankie, and salon owner, April, had to say.
Level 2 Hairdressing, student, Freddie, recently competed in this year’s annual KFE4Skills competition.
We spoke to him at the heats about how he’s encouraging more men to get into Hair and Beauty.
By studying with us, you’ll gain experience in a range of creative and competitive environments.
From fashion shows to industry expos, the opportunities are endless.
Explore our courses online and see the wide range of academic opportunities that are available to you.
You can make up to five applications across East Kent Colleges Group’s family of Colleges.
Click ‘Apply’ on your chosen course, and follow the steps on the application portal.
Early applications are strongly recommended, as they give you the best chance of securing a place on your chosen course.
Come along to EKC Sheppey College to meet our team, explore our facilities and see if the course is right for you.
If you receive an offer, this must be accepted to secure your place on your chosen course.
Our courses aren’t just for school leavers, with part-time options available for those aged 19+.
These will help you develop specialist skills so that you’re ready for a change of career or new services for your existing clients.
We work around your schedule such as your childcare needs so that learning here is as easy and as convenient for you as possible.
We offer specialist support for our adult learners, such as online tutorials when needed.
“It’s lovely to be able to meet lots of people here, making it a very fun experience studying in the Salon.
“I have been proven wrong in what I thought I could achieve as the College has given me so many skills for my future.
“EKC Sheppey College was the first College where I felt supported.”
“I’ve learned before about hair extensions, and I wanted to expand my knowledge, which is when I came across the course.
“I went on a College trip to the ‘Salon International’ expo in London, where you get to learn different things from different hairdressers and companies.
“I can now look back on this experience and see how far I’ve come along the way.”
“Hairdressing is always something that I wanted to do but I never had the confidence to do it while I was younger.
“It’s now great that I can do it while I’m an adult. It’s building me life skills and allowing me to work around my children.
“I’m finally getting the skills to do what I want to do.”
