KINGSTON, November 23, 2022 – Kingston Economic Development Corporation and St. Lawrence College announced today that they have launched the first upskilling hair stylist training of its kind in the region. Focusing on diversity and inclusion in the hair styling industry, free training will become available for local industry stylists and apprentices seeking to advance their skills on all hair textures. These training sessions are being created to further develop existing hairstyling skills while building confidence with all hair textures.
Andrea Sampson, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Efe Magazine, is joining this partnership to develop training sessions content and deliver practical, hands-on training to Kingston stylists. With over 25 years of experience, she will fill the educational gap in current hair styling programs to ensure inclusivity and diversity across local salons. Andrea has made it her mission to inspire the hair styling industry to “always address hair by texture and not race”.
As the international community grows within the Kingston region, individuals are finding that stylists don’t feel confident enough to work with all hair types. These training sessions will position Kingston as a city with dozens of stylists who are able to cater to any one person who sits in their chair. This will promote inclusivity to existing salon services as well as retain and attract revenue within the local salon industry.
“Hairstyling offers the opportunity to express your creativity, work in your community and do what you love,” said Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “Our government will continue to invest in programs that give workers the skills they need to advance their careers, earn bigger paycheques and lead purpose-driven lives.”
All training sessions will be available free of charge to interested stylists and apprentices seeking to advance their skills working with multiple textures of hair. The next round of training sessions is currently slated to begin on January 22, 2023.
To stay up to date on announcements surrounding the Texture With Confidence – Sharpening Your Skills training sessions, follow Kingston Economic Development Corporation and St. Lawrence College.
This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario. The Skills Development Fund has provided funding for innovation projects addressing hiring, training, and employee re-training challenges identified during the COVID-19 pandemic.
To learn more and register visit – investkingston.ca/texturewithconfidence
Media Contact:
Nour Mazloum
Marketing & Communications Manager
Kingston Economic Development Corporation
613-329-9270
mazloum@investkingston.ca
