NKC is a cut above with the Lee Stafford Academy

Following the grand opening of NKC’s new Gravesend Hair Salon on 31^st January by celebrity hairdresser Lee Stafford, North Kent College is excited to announce the launch of the Lee Stafford Academy.

Launching this September 2017 it will be the only academy of its kind in the region of North, Mid and West Kent, and South East London and offers students the very best training in hair cutting, styling, colouring and barbering techniques.

Celebrity hairdresser, Lee Stafford, has teamed up with North Kent College to deliver a range of training and coaching that has been developed by Lee himself. He has invited North Kent College to share in his passion in delivering the ultimate training programme, together revolutionising hair education, benefitting both staff and students alike.

Lee has a personal vision to create the best training opportunities in the world for would-be hairdressers through partnerships with a select number of Further Education Colleges. NKC is delighted to be the only partner College in the region.

Lee comments “I am delighted that North Kent College and Lee Stafford Education have been able to come together in this important partnership.  The facilities at the College are excellent and I am confident that by working together we can achieve some ground breaking results”

With the aim to make their students the most employable in the country, NKC students enrolled from September will learn specially designed ‘recipes’ which are unique to Lee Stafford Academies, reflecting some of the most cutting-edge styles seen in salons across the UK.

Students will receive training in up to 21 fundamental skills and techniques which they will learn to what Lee calls ‘Michelin standard’. Once accomplished in these techniques, students are encouraged to use their creativity with no bounds. These skills can be tested in National competitions with other Lee Stafford Academy students in FE Colleges across the UK.

The academy students will be able to use Lee’s own award winning products, which are exclusively available at Boots and through the academy and they will host employer events to showcase their talents. Staff will also receive training and awards to ensure their teaching is of the very best quality.

Assistant Principal Arts and Creative Industries, Lindsey O’Malley, says “Following on from the inspirational celebrity hairdresser, Lee Stafford, opening our new Hair Salons at Gravesend, we are now delighted to announce that we will be opening the Lee Stafford Academy from September 2017 at both Dartford and Gravesend. This is an excellent opportunity not only for our learners but for our trainers and employer partners to benefit from this unique relationship that will be exclusive to us across North, Mid and West Kent as well as South East London. The Lee Stafford Education programme offers all learners the opportunity to work at industry standards ensuring that all learners successfully graduating from the academy will be work ready. Everyone at North Kent College is excited by this new partnership and cannot wait to get started on this adventure.”

“Acquiring the Lee Stafford Education programme intensifies the outstanding training we offer at North Kent College. This remarkable addition to our hairdressing and barbering programmes, gives our learners the opportunity to be exemplary when they finally engage with the industry and world of employment. No-one knows the industry like Lee or has more contacts. His rise to celebrity status from starting cutting in his mum’s dining room, to now having 32 awards across the world for his products, being the face of TV hairdressing and having accolades such as Best British Hairdresser, Hair Magazine Hairdresser of the Year and Men’s British Hairdresser of the Year, are truly inspiring aspirations for our students.” Comments Kim Catchpole, Curriculum Manager.

The Lee Stafford Academy will be based at both the Dartford and Gravesend Campuses. Courses are available for both full-time students and apprentices. Find out more at www.northkent.ac.uk and apply now.