The MOST Spring/Summer 2021

PRESTON’S COLLEGE LEVEL 2 BARBERING DIPLOMA SUPPORTS MIKE TO ACHIEVE HIS DREAM CAREER Full-time barber, Mike, is enjoying a highly successful barbering career thanks to the Level 2 Barbering Diploma at Preston’s College. Having previously undertaken a BA (Hons) Acting, before working as an actor for a number of years, a moment in the barber’s chair and a longing for a career change, led Mike to an enrolment event at Preston’s College in 2018. After speaking to tutor, Julie, Mike left the event to consider his options but credits the information he received and a ‘Hollywood moment’ in the car park, as providing the catalyst he needed to turn around, walk back into the college and enrol. Joining the course for two days per week in September 2018, having never picked up a pair of scissors to cut hair in his life, Mike was quickly learning a variety of techniques and basic skills that would set him up for future success. Taught by experienced barber and tutor, Julie, who Mike describes as a ‘phenomenal lady’, all learners on the course were encouraged to secure work experience, to supplement their in-class learning. Supported by Julie, Mike approached No.77, The Gentry Barbers in Leyland and was given the opportunity to work alongside highly experienced barbers for one day per week. Once secured, Julie arranged for this experience to become an official work placement, as a bolt-on to the Level 2 Diploma. As an adult learner, Mike juggled his course, work placement opportunity and other paid employment as a DJ to allow him to learn from experienced barbers whilst on placement, advancing and elevating his skills and putting taught theory and newly learnt knowledge into practice. Upon successful completion of his Level 2 Diploma and having impressed the team greatly, Mike secured a full-time position at The Gentry and now works as a self-employed barber with a busy and varied client list of his own. Using not only the practical skills he learnt at college to further his career, Mike has also brought new ideas and innovations to the barber’s shop, using business skills taught as part of the Level 2 programme. In agreement with his colleagues, and with a thorough understanding of his client base, Mike expanded the beard care offer at The Gentry, introducing three levels of package, including a one hour gold package – so popular the barbers recently undertook fifteen in one week! Commenting, Mike said: “As an adult, I was really quite apprehensive about returning to college but at no point did I ever feel out of place, not once. Preston’s College has a good thing going on, there is a real community feel and the course was structured in such a way that the more you put in, the more you got out, which I loved! As an adult learner, you are very much on your own journey. The ex-learners that were brought in to do demonstrations and speak to us about their journeys provided real inspiration and for me, it worked!” Concluding, he added: “Completing the Level 2 Barbering course and progressing into industry has allowed me to do things I just couldn’t do before. I can make plans, I can afford to make plans and the standard of living I now have is amazing compared to before. I have been able to buy a property and I have welcomed a baby girl into the world. The course at Preston’s College and the opportunities it presented and opened up really have changed my life.” | 15