Education EVOLUTION

Whether you're a beginner or looking to add to your expertise, the start of a new year is the perfect time to enhance your skill set with these training and education options

1 SCHWARZKOPF PROFESSIONAL

ASK Education's offering features in-person classes, along with online learning. Highlights for 2024 include Master Short Hair with Gary Taylor, which is taking place in Dublin on 24 May. This one-day masterclass is designed to help learners hone their cutting skills. Showcasing both classic and contemporary techniques, it will focus on angles and shapes, inspiring stylists to recreate a range of looks in the salon. skpevents.co.uk

2 TOTALCARE

Académie Totalcare's postgraduate training school offers a variety of courses, including Cosmetology, which covers skin, anatomy and physiology, which is ideal for anyone who wants to advise clients on the specifics of cosmetic products. The training within this programme is focused primarily on the diagnosis of the skin, as well as learning all aspects of cosmetic products, including their fabrication, composition and application. Full theoretical resources are provided with the course to help students become better cosmetologists and/or therapists with comprehensive knowledge. totalcare.ie

3 HAIR EXTENSION TRAINING IRELAND

Led by industry expert Melissa Hayward, these hair extension training courses are accredited and consist of a one-day in-person experience, complemented by three to four hours of bite-sized online training. Each course also includes a comprehensive kit. Options include group and beginner classes, one-to-one training, refresher courses and in-salon training, and they are all suitable for all levels of experience. hairextensiontraining.ie

4 BEAUTORIUM TRAINING ACADEMY

The Waterford training centre has a variety of course options accredited by iTEC and AIT. Aimed at both beginners and industry professionals who wish to update their skill set, there are a number of options available for 2024, including the iTEC Level 4 Award in Dermaplaning, which is suitable for qualified practitioners who wish to add dermaplaning to their treatment menu; and Beauty and Body Therapy Diploma Course, a full-time, internationallyrecognised programme that will equip learners with all the skills to be a competent, insurable and recognised beauty and body therapist. beautoriumtrainingacademy.ie

5 ACCADEMIA

The education centre is now taking bookings for 2024 courses across a range of brands, including Alfaparf Milano Professional's Dimensional Lights, which covers three new highlighting techniques to create multi-dimensional colour placement within the hair. This course, which is being held on a number of dates in January, February and March, is suitable for all stylists with some highlighting experience, who want to upskill their colour placement techniques. The Progressive Highlighting course, which is also scheduled for dates in the first half of 2024, teaches simple foil and meche techniques for use in the salon. accademia.ie

6 L’ORÉAL ACCESS

L’Oréal Professionnel Paris has a number of courses taking place in its L’Oréal Dublin Academy in 2024. These include Angie Dromgoole – The Restyle on 15 April; and Mike DeCanter – Capture Your Content, which is a one-day hands-on video bootcamp, taking place on 3 September.

Meanwhile, upcoming Matrix courses include Instablonde with Mike McNulty, The Art of Upstyling with Siobhan Moran and Freehand, Faceframe + Foilayage with Niamh Hayden. ie.lorealaccess.com

7 IGUAZU BEAUTY

There are a number of upcoming Oncology Aesthetics OTI training options available to any professional looking to learn more about providing hair and beauty services to clients living with cancer. Online courses for both the hair and beauty industry start running from 3 January. For in-person training, there are courses taking place on 22-23 January for hairdressers and 12 February for beauty and spa therapists. iguazubeautytherapy.com

8 GAINFORT ACADEMY

There are a number of hair workshops taking place in 2024, which are suitable for all levels. Osmo educator Debbie O'Keeffe will teach courses in a range of specialities, such as blonding, creative cutting and colour. Meanwhile, the Bridal Express Package combines make-up techniques with upstyles to equip attendees with all the knowledge and skills needed to offer clients a complete wedding service. gainfortacademy.com

9 THE GOREY INSTITUTE

Specialising in hair, barbering and beauty, The Gorey Institute's courses for the New Year include its iTEC Certificate in Skincare & Eye Treatments. A comprehensive programme designed for individuals looking to pursue a career in the beauty and skincare industry, this course covers skincare principles, techniques and practices. From mastering the fundamentals, to the more advanced treatments and product knowledge, the certificate programme promises to equip learners with a range of skills to prepare them for a number of roles and specialties within the industry. goreyinstituteofbeauty.com

10 SHARON LEAVY ACADEMY

With locations in Portlaoise, Co Laois and Tullamore, Co Offaly, this academy offers a choice of full-time or part-time courses in hair, beauty, aesthetics, barbering and more, all of which are tailored to suit individual needs. There is also a full suite of online modules that can be done at the learner's own pace and via Zoom classes. Course options in 2024 include Brow Shaping & Tinting Techniques and the iTEC Electrology Diploma. Also coming up in 2024 is the Level 3 iTEC Award in Education & Training, which is an entry-level teaching qualification. Participants will gain the skills needed for collecting and judging evidence of competence, whilst helping and guiding students to improve their practical skills, knowledge and understanding. sharonleavy.ie

11 SUZANNE EGAN ACADEMY

Courses lined up for January and February 2024 include Brow Lamination with Henna Fusion. Ideal for brow artists who would like to add this popular treatment to their menu, they will learn about the lamination process, client consultation, patch testing, brow mapping and design, and aftercare. There is also an option to add lash lift training so artists can offer this dual option to clients. suzanneeganacademy.com

12 WELLA PROFESSIONALS

The Wella Dublin Studio will host courses in 2024, including Colour Craft Balayage, which runs on dates in January through to September. As an ideal starting point to learn this ever-popular technique, the programme will give hints and tips to help achieve the desired results. A hands-on workshop will see learners master the art of blending and discover time-saving techniques to get the most out of the client's salon appointment. education.wella.com

13 GALLIGAN BEAUTY COLLEGE

There are a variety of advanced skincare courses on offer in 2024, including the Diploma in Laser and Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), which gives students an in-depth knowledge of the skin and hair, including its structure, functions and pathologies. They will learn a range of skills, such as consultation techniques, skin and hair analysis, and how to identify contraindications. Galligan Beauty College also offers courses in holistic therapy, with modules available in Deep Tissue Massage and Hot Stone Massage. galligancollege.ie

14 FX MAKEUP ACADEMY

With two locations based in Dublin city centre and Blanchardstown, Emma Smith's teaching academy is offering a number of internationally-accredited courses in make-up, beauty and advanced aesthetics, beginning in January and February 2024. These are fully insurable and no experience is needed to start. Part-time options are also available for those already working in the industry, who are looking to add to their skill set. fxmakeupacademy.ie

15 NATIONAL HAIRDRESSING APPRENTICESHIP

As the internationally recognised standard for hairdressing across Ireland, the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship (NHA) also offers a Recognition of Prior Learning option, which is a part-time, nine-month programme for career hairdressers looking to receive a formal certification. Participants will be assigned a mentor and give evidence of their experience, with the programme helping to fill in any gaps in knowledge. hairdressingapprenticeship.ie