Castleford College’s Hair & Beauty department has created new ties with Keune – a leading supplier in the hairdressing and barbering sector for more than 100 years.
Using Keune’s products in the classroom will ensure students’ transition to professional settings is seamless and sustainable, helping to build their confidence in working with professional products.
The partnership will also give students opportunities to enhance their learning via Keune’s online learning platform, London Academy and regional courses.
Hair & Beauty staff from the College have also received Continuous Professional Development (CPD) training from Keune’s team, with workshops, guest talks and competitions planned for students throughout 2024.
Castleford College chose to partner with Keune due to its commitment to sustainability, with Keune recently being awarded B Corp certification. The certification is awarded to companies that meet the high standards of sustainability and social responsibility, considering all aspects including people and suppliers to customers and community.
Adele Wright, Head of Curriculum for Hair & Beauty at the Heart of Yorkshire Education Group, said: “By working closely with an industry-leader like Keune, this will give our students access to and the opportunity to learn from some of the best professionals in the industry. This will not only help to build their confidence in using high-quality products but will hopefully open their eyes to the range of opportunities and specialisms available within hairdressing and barbering.”
Representatives from Keune worked closely with Adele Wright, and Rachel Anderson, Curriculum Manager for the area, to understand the needs of the department and how Keune could support it.
Tina Robinson, Sales Manager Scotland and North at Keune UK, said: “I was impressed with the passion and approach of both Adele and Rachel, and we had a common goal – to help the learners to not only become industry ready, but to aim high and let them truly understand what this fabulous industry has to offer. As part of its commitment to meeting the industry’s needs, Keune has also recently gained B Corp status which aligns with the Group’s commitment to sustainability.”
Castleford College has been a partner of Celebrity Hairdresser Andrew Barton’s ABLE programme since 2021, which sees Andrew use his vast experience and knowledge to work with college tutors to create a truly tailored education for students.
This enables students to learn a range of industry-level skills and abilities, from creative to classic haircutting and contemporary hairstyling.