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Jul 2014 / Learners

Young people looking to cut a place for themselves as professional hairdressers can get a head start locally after a new training salon with big industry links launched in Wrexham.

Aspiring stylists took part in a master class a cut above the average when one of celebrity hairdresser Trevor Sorbie’s senior staff joined them for the day at ACT Training, which has recently added hairdressing to its list of vocational qualifications and set up a new on-site salon for learners in Wrexham as a result.

To mark the salon’s launch Senior Top Stylist Tom Connell, who regularly works at top hairdressing shows across the UK and Europe, visited students at the Old Brewery Central Retail Park centre alongside top hairstylist Matt Parrish, who mentors and assesses learners signing up.

A former colleague of Tom’s, Matt travelled extensively working for celebrity hairdressers Andrew Collinge and Trevor Sorbie before returning to his Wrexham roots, and is keen to share his experience with young people in the area, as well as his contacts in the industry.

Matt, who attended Darland High School before he went on to work with Andrew Collinge and then Trevor Sorbie at top events including London Fashion Week, said: “I have a great passion for the hairdressing industry, and a good education from day one is an absolute must for new learners.

“This is why I was so keen for Tom to come down and show our students that it is possible to achieve the career of your dreams, no matter where you’re starting out from.”

Both Matt and Tom are keen to encourage other would-be hairstylists to follow their own ambitions, having first met as apprentice hairdressers aged 17 at fellow UK stylist Andrew Collinge’s Manchester salon. 

Fresh from launching his own hair show with Trevor Sorbie last year, Tom also runs a junior art team for the celebrity stylist called ‘Art Team Part Deux’.

Tom, who grew up in Wigan and now lives in London’s Notting Hill, said: “In November I produced my own show called ‘The Big Inning’, which I also made a short film for, and the reaction from Trevor that evening was without doubt my number one achievement to date.”

“I started working at my dad’s barber shop in Wigan when I was 13, however, and I’m keen to try wherever possible to do for any young learners what my dad did for me when I was young.” 

Established more than 25 years ago, ACT Training has centres across Wales and a range of training opportunities including traineeships, apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships and essential skills training in numeracy and literacy.

Traineeships and Apprenticeships in hairdressing are now available at ACT’s Wrexham Skills Centre following the launch of the new salon, therefore.

For more information on the range of services available at ACT Training call 02920 464727.

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