Guest Blog | Jemma Collier – Skills Practitioner

Hello, I’m Jemma, and I am a Skills Practitioner for the Hair and Beauty department at EKC Ashford College.

About Me

I have been passionate about Beauty for as long as I can remember, and for the past 18 years, I have been a practising Beauty Therapist.

Before joining the Group, I worked as the Salon Manager for Green Farm Spa, where I could work on my skills and build relationships with clients and the team.

When the opportunity to become a Skills Practitioner at EKC Ashford College came up, I jumped at the chance. I had already completed an assessor’s course and a PTTLS course that helped me transition into a teaching role.  I knew I could bring my knowledge and experience to support students and help them get into the industry I am so passionate about. My goal is to eventually become a fully-qualified teacher, and being a Skills Practitioner is my first step towards that.

What I love about EKC Ashford College

What I love most about my job is how much I have grown both as a professional, and as a person. Working with all of the students is rewarding in a way that is so different from managing a salon.

To succeed in the Hair and Beauty Industry, I make sure my learners know that they need to be a people-person. Being in salons means you need to be engaging with clients constantly, as you’ll be there to make sure they’re feeling at ease and boosting their confidence.

My Day-To-Day in the Salon

In the Salon at EKC Ashford College, we’re focused on making sure our aspiring beauticians and hairdressers are truly prepared to make a career out of this passion, and to make sure it’s the right pathway for them.

This term has been busy and I’ve played lots of different roles. I’ve been helping our learners with their bursary applications and I’ve been planning some exciting trips. We’re all really looking forward to Salon International, which is a highlight of the year for many of the students, as we’ll get to go behind the scenes and discover the latest trends in spas and salons.

My advice to all students? If you’re unsure – we can help you. All staff at EKC Ashford College are here to support you on your journey and we can help you find the answer to any question or concern you may have.

I can’t wait for the upcoming year and getting to see so many students succeed!

Explore our Hair and Beauty courses and learn how staff like Jemma can help develop your professional skills.