Five graduate hair stylists at Derby College have returned to the Sensi commercial training salon at the Roundhouse in Pride Park to work on a self-employed basis and learn essential business and enterprise skills for their future careers.

The group have all gained their level three hairdressing qualifications at the College and will now work for a year at Sensi – building up their own client base and learning skills they need to run their own business from marketing to finance.

They are (pictured from left): Finn Pratt (20) from Ilkeston; Tracey Barratt (42) from Langley Mill; Brunilda Xhela (24) from Alvaston; Zara Lee (19) from Ilkeston; and Jasmine Earith (18) from Chellaston.

Finn, who studied A levels at school before training in hairdressing at Derby College’s Ilkeston and Roundhouse campuses, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to run our own businesses as self-employed stylists with the support of the teaching team here at College.”

Tracey, who returned to College as a mature student, continued: “The added benefit to me is that I am able to continue my teacher training whilst working self-employed which is the route I want to take moving forward.

Zara added: “I have gained so much more confidence working in the Sensi salon and we are all building up a good client base.  As well as providing a wide range of hair services, we are looking at starting beauty treatments and trying different packages to see what the clients like.”

Sensi Salon Manager Jo Ellis concluded: “Having gained qualifications here at College, the stylists are able to gain further support to advance their skills further and learn how to run their own business.

“This new enterprise programme is a great addition to our wider programme of providing students with commercial work experience both here at Sensi and with employers across the city and county.

“The qualified stylists are a great addition to the team here at Sensi and we have had a very positive response from clients.”