A talented brother and sister duo who both trained at Nelson and Colne College are celebrating the opening of their new barbers shop and hairdressing and beauty salon.
Stuart Craig, 28, and Kia-Melissa Craig, 21, have revamped the old fire station in Dockray Street, Colne, into Shokwaves Barber Shop and Kia-Melissa’s Hair and Beauty Station.
The siblings have worked together for the past three years, and decided to expand their business after it continued to go from strength to strength. Kia- Melissa studied Level 1 and 2 Hairdressing at NCC, while Stuart did a Barbering Apprentice.
Former Pendle Vale College student Kia-Melissa, a colour technician, said: “Hairdressing has always been something that I have wanted to do – I have never wanted to do anything else. Making somebody feel good is always a nice feeling, and working with Stuart was inevitable, as we have always been really close.
“The tutoring at Nelson and Colne College was top quality, and there was always lots of support. I threw myself into the world of work after leaving – it has been hard work, but rewarding more than anything.
“I had eight clients when I started two years ago and now I have around 150. They love the new salon and location.”
And former Park High School student Stuart, who won NCC’s Barbering Apprenticeship of the Year in 2013, added: “I went to a sports college after school to do football and get a National Diploma in Sport, but realised I had chosen the wrong course for me.
“Barbering was always something I had been interested in, and one time when I went to my barbers in Nelson, I was asked if I would like to be an apprentice. I enrolled at Nelson and Colne College and it went from there.
“The College helps you get on the right route, even if you have got on the wrong one initially. I now want to get an apprentice in the Summer, so I will be working with NCC on that soon.”
Nelson and Colne College offers a wide range of vocational programmes and apprenticeships to help students get ready for the world of work. In the Hairdressing and Barbering sector, students can benefit from NCC’s commercial Distinction salons, as well as the College’s strong employer links.
NCC hairdressing tutor Kathryn Walsh said: “We always love to hear how our students have progressed following their time at College, and the success of brother and sister Stuart and Kia-Melissa is really inspiring to our current students. We wish them both luck in their new and modern premises, and are thrilled to see their business thriving.
“The vocational or apprenticeship route is perfect for anyone looking to get into a specific sector, and our staff will always strive to help each student achieve their dream job.”
It is estimated that there will be 96,587 jobs in the Hairdressing and Barbering industry by 2020. For more information about the range of courses available at Nelson and Colne College contact 01282 440272.
Former NCC students are encouraged to share their success stories on the Nelson and Colne College Alumni Facebook page.
