Education@2020: Shahnaz Husain Calls for Quality
Shahnaz Husain – Founder, Chairperson & Managing Director of The Shahnaz Husain Group, is one of the pioneers in setting up a benchmark in the education vertical. The Shahnaz Husain International Beauty Training Academy offers a number of courses ranging from Advanced Diploma Courses in Skin Therapy, Hair Design. and Make-up, to Advanced Course in Ayurvedic Treatments to Nail Art. They also have a specialised beauty training course and are constantly training Beauty Advisors for their retail outlets.
Speaking to Beauty Launchpad India, the beauty industry leader talks about her vision for education in the salon space.
What are your suggestions to improve the educational scenario in Indian salon and beauty industry?
Before I started my professional beauty training academy, only apprenticeship training was available. The beautician had no training and learnt the various beauty services on the job. Apprenticeship training still exists. Here, we need to ensure that to take up beauty as a career, professional training and qualifications are necessary.
Beauty services have become advanced and professional. Today, branding, speciality skills, and specialised services are popular, especially at high-end salons. Another new trend is that salons are also offering spa treatments. Therefore, along with the demand for advanced beauty care, the need for professionally-trained beauty therapists is also increasing. Now, it is essential to get comprehensive professional training, comprising of both theory and practice and in keeping with international standards. This should be made available. Apart from doing a basic Diploma Course, advanced courses should also be available in different areas, like Hairstyling, Make-up, Hair Removal, Laser Therapy, Galvanic treatments, etc., as specialised training can be an added advantage.
Is hairdressing more in-demand as a career compared to makeup or nails?
With growing industries like fashion, television, and movies, there is an equal demand for expert hairstylists and make-up artists. This demand is there for bridal make-up and hairstyling as well.
Salon/Spa Management is an essential aspect of any professional education. How much do you as an academy invest in teaching this subject?
We have included spa treatments in our signature salons. Among these are Hair Spa, Foot Spa, and Body Polish. Our Diploma and Advanced Diploma Courses include these treatments. The Diploma course also covers clinic and business management, as well as client handling. Students are given knowledge of sound salon management and the investments required to open one’s salon, along with techniques of making the venture a profitable one. Preparing students for beauty entrepreneurship, in terms of starting one’s salon, was a part of my vision. The Academy provides extra value addition for students through activities like seminars and workshops.
Please highlight the certifications that your academy provides
We provide both Diplomas and Certificates for the different courses. After completion of the Diploma and Post-graduate courses (Advanced Diploma), one can take up the Shahnaz Husain Franchise rights to start a Shahnaz Herbal salon. Franchises are also given for running schools and retail outlets. Many franchisees run the clinic and school side by side. Students come from all over the world to Shahnaz Husain’s Academy to study beauty and take up the franchise. If a student already owns a salon, they can take up a Shahnaz Husain franchise.
What are the gaps and what is the way forward?
The Shahnaz Husain Beauty Academy has moved into a most crucial phase of growth, with upgraded syllabus and curriculum, in keeping with international standards and the latest advancements in beauty care. The beauty and wellness business is booming and there is likely to be a shortfall of professionally-trained personnel in this sector. The way forward is to establish quality beauty training courses.
How do you recruit faculty and do you have a faculty development program?
We have a teacher’s training course as well. We often select promising students and provide further training, so that they can become a part of the faculty with time. Our faculty development programme comprises of learning about our specialised treatments and products. Many students take the franchise to start a Shahnaz Husain Academy, after completing the Diploma and Advanced Diploma Courses. Many of them run a franchise salon and academy side by side.