(submitted photo/Saskatchewan Polytechnic)

By Nigel Maxwell

Education

Prince Albert hairstyling students hone their craft overseas

May 1, 2023 | 1:00 PM

Martie McLeod describes her recent experience overseas as “eye-opening.”

McLeod was one of a number of students from the hairstyling diploma program at Saskatchewan Polytechnic’s Prince Albert campus, to spend a week in the United Kingdom, practicing their trade and exploring the local culture.

“It was the first time I’ve ever been on a plane,” McLeod recalled. “Everything was different, they drove on the other side of the road — that was kind of scary. The food, even the french fries tasted different.”

This global learning experience was funded by the Global Skills Opportunity Fund (GSO) which aims to empower post-secondary institutions to increase the participation of Canadians in international learning opportunities — especially Indigenous students, students with disabilities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds who have traditionally faced barriers to participation.

Cardiff and Vale College (CAVC) in Cardiff, Wales welcomed Sask Polytech students for a tour and classes with local students in the hair and beauty program. Although they found techniques and practices similar to hairstyling back home, the biggest difference was their level of creativity.

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“Most of the trainers in the hair and beauty program had backgrounds in the dramatic arts. It offered our students a new perspective and gave them the confidence to be more creative and innovative with their work,” said local program head Louise Benson.

(submitted photo/Saskatchewan Polytechnic)

Learning at CAVC was only a portion of their experience. Students took in local cuisine, culture and history with a Welsh food tasting tour, Welsh language sessions, Cardiff Castle tour and a stop at St. Fagans National Museum of History. They also got to spend time exploring London which included a tour and presentation at Goldwell Academy, a hairdressing and salon training ground.

“This was an incredible opportunity for our students. Not only did they get to travel and have an amazing cultural experience, but they were able gain valuable practice time in four master classes,” Benson said. The master class training at CAVC provided students extra training hours in colouring, cutting, lightening and hair up.

Student Teneil Wilkinson said it was super fun learning new techniques.

“I’m so thankful for this opportunity and hope to be able to grow from the many learnings,” she said.

Students received their master class certificates during a special event Monday at the Prince Albert campus.

(submitted photo/Saskatchewan Polytechnic)

Global Skills Opportunity, the Government of Canada’s national outbound student mobility pilot program, is a component of the Government of Canada’s International Education Strategy and is administered jointly by Universities Canada and Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan).

Projects are designed, implemented and managed by participating universities and colleges across the country. GSO’s vision is to expand the horizons of Canadian students from coast to coast and improve Canada’s competitiveness on the world stage.

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panews@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow