Located opposite the Casa de Cultura in Alfaz

We all need a bit of pampering from time to time, but with finances strained for many households it comes bottom of the list for most. However, there is a solution by way of the "Imagine Training Academy". Recently opened and located opposite the Casa de Cultura in Alfaz (right in front of the number 10 bus stop) I popped by in the week to speak to Val - the entrance is from the square just up the side.

Val is the owner of the Imagine Hair & Beauty Salon based in Alfaz and mainly due to demand and continued requests decided upon opening a training academy here. Together with Sharon, who has over 30 years of hairdressing experience, they noticed a gap in the market for good quality training for would be hairdressers and also beauty therapists for English speakers. They are quite established in the UK, and Sharon should know as she has been running one in her native  - South Shields (which is near Newcastle - I had to ask too!) for the last 15 years.

Sharon supervising one of her students

Every Monday,Tuesday & Wednesday they are open for practical training for the students and therefore looking for models. But don´t worry about coming out with a half shaved head or blue highlights... unless of course that is what you wanted, as all the work is supervised by either Sharon or Kayleigh, who does the beauty side. There is a maximum of 5 students per class enabling the teachers to give their full attention to each. You can go and have a Cut & Blowdry for only 8 euros; Perm for 12 euros; Manicure for 5 euros or have virtually any part of your body waxed - the charge is to literally cover the cost of the products used. The only drawback, if you can call it that, is that you need to allow longer than you usually do as obviously the work is checked and supervised at all stages which does take extra time.

I spoke with some of the students to ask about their time at the academy. Two of the girls were mums who´s children had recently started school, so enabling them to do something which they had always wanted to do. But its not solely a woman´s terrain - there is also a young man among them! As one said, its a qualification and trade which I can take with me anywhere across the world.

Client having highlights put in

Sharon told me that the qualifications are from a British examining board, Edexcel and they offer levels 1-4 in hairdressing and the same in Beauty. There is a lot of home study involved in both courses as well as the practical side and on average take about a year to complete... obviously dependent on how quickly the students pick things up and how much studying they do. Her and Kayleigh are both assessors but a lady also comes over from the UK to periodically check the standard of work.

Courses can be tailored to suit and they also offer refresher courses to those that just need their skills updated. Endevouring to address the high level of youth unemployment here in Spain they are planning on offering a Summer "taster course" in July and August, which will allow students to have a try without committing themselves.  This is ideal for 16 year olds who maybe do not want to continue in higher education but are unsure exactly what they want to do - and lets face it, there isn´t that much opportunity here for them.

If you would like to book an appointment to be pampered at a budget price or are interested to find out more about the training courses then contact Val on 965 841 038.