BBCo to promote beauty industry careers through Future Talent Programme
By Chloe Randall | 08 February 2023 | Movers & Shakers, News
To mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week 2023, British Beauty Council launched the Future Talent Programme at 10 Downing Street, a beauty-specific career development programme to support up and coming industry talent.
One in every 60 UK jobs is hair or beauty related, and the industry contributes almost £30 billion pounds to the British economy. The Future Talent Programme unveils the opportunities available to young people, following a reduction in industry talent post-Brexit and in the aftermath of Covid-19.
The programme is backed by the Department for Education, The Careers & Enterprise Company and STEM Learning (science, technology, engineering and maths). It will be distributed via The Careers Hub Network to schools across England to inspire and educate young people in the most important years of their educational careers.
“From hair products to skincare, the beauty industry is a huge part of our daily lives – but its importance is more than skin deep. The industry is worth billions to our economy and as the Future Talent Programme will demonstrate, it offers a great route for young people to launch careers in science and technology,” comments Gillian Keegan, education secretary.
“As a former apprentice myself, there has never been a better time to launch this new programme than National Apprenticeship Week. Doing an apprenticeship means students can earn while they learn and gain the skills and knowledge that businesses really value.
“There are a huge range of apprenticeship opportunities available to young people interested in a career in the beauty industry, with options including laboratory and research scientist, digital marketing, beauty therapy, and buying and merchandising.”
The Future Talent Programme includes a series of short films covering beauty and STEM opportunities in cosmetic science, sustainability, fragrance and technology from voices such as Jamie Genevieve, Plastic Boy and The Welsh Twins.
“I am delighted that the British Beauty Council is taking steps to develop the Future Talent Programme to showcase how a career in beauty-tech really is open to everybody,” says Paul Scully MP, minister for technology & digital economy.
‘The potential that technology has to offer the beauty sector is unmatched with developments like AI, the metaverse and NFTs providing tech opportunities for STEM graduates. This is an incredibly exciting industry to be a part of and we want as many young people as possible to be involved in its overwhelming success. I look forward to seeing what the next generation of beauty pioneers will create.”
During the pilot phase of the programme, STEM Learning estimates that the programme has reached a total of 25,000 schools, primary and secondary, and an additional 10,424 teachers via an additional dedicated newsletter.
The British Beauty Council has worked with Estée Lauder Companies, L’Oréal, No7 Beauty Company, Superdrug, Deciem and The Fragrance Foundation to execute the cross-industry campaign.
“As a young person I never knew of the abundant and fulfilling careers available in the beauty and cosmetics industry,” adds Millie Kendall O.B.E., CEO of the British Beauty Council.
“I worked as a hairdresser, and only by trial and error did I end up with the colourful career I have managed to create. We want this programme to fast track young people towards suitable career options, thus ensuring we have a seamless flow of talent.”
The Future Talent Programme plans to explore different career areas including marketing and communications, buying and merchandising and beyond in the future.
Click here to find out more about the British Beauty Council’s Future Talent Programme.