Borders College proves a cut above

Graham Ford • Published 23 Jan 2012 09:30 0 Comments

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BORDERS College already helps open doors for students seeking to further their career ambitions. But the Netherdale campus also operates an open door policy to members of the public who like the idea of being pampered.

The students involved in the Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy and the Restaurant rely on members of the public to use the facilities to help them enhance their practical skills, in return members of the public not only enjoy high quality service but they receive this in top quality facilities conducted by friendly engaging staff.

Since the move to Netherdale Borders College have been working hard to develop the links with the local community, and through members of the public visiting the campus they are able to raise awareness of the numerous courses on offer, full-time, part-time and leisure.

The two-way arrangement between students and the local public was shown in its full glory when the Border Telegraph visited the campus last week.

First up we met with hairdressing students in the salon. The first thing to catch my eye was how modern and fresh the whole facility looked. The students, and lecturers were also welcoming, and it struck me how appealing it would be to someone visiting for the first time.

I caught up with level 3 hairdressing students Danielle Fraser and Mario Taddei. They were keen to promote the importance of members of the public coming to the salon. Danielle said: "We have the general public come into the hairdressing salon so we can practice on them. Working in our salon here is also complemented by heading out on placement one day each week.

"I feel better prepared for that by having the chance to practice in our own salon. By liaising between our salon and placement we are also constantly learning about the latest trends which is essential for our professional development."

Mario added: "The public get their appointments cheaper because this is obviously a learning environment, but it is also helping us prepare for the real world. We also have the reassurance of having lecturers around to guide us in the early stages of our professional development. It may be a learning centre but everything we do is extremely professional and we obviously make sure customers leave completely satisfied with our service."

Both Danielle and Mario also believe the high quality training offered at Borders College has made them ideal candidates for what is a competitive industry. Both are already in demand and know they have jobs waiting for them when they finish their studies. This is a significant endorsement of the level of training they undertake within the Borders College salon.

When Teresa Noon decided to make the bold career move of following in the beauty steps of her daughter, their was only one place she felt could offer a mature student the chance to feel welcomed into a learning environment.

She had been away from learning for a number of years, but she had followed her daughter's developments while she was at Borders College and decided to give the beauty business a try.

Teresa said: "This has been such a fantastic move for me, I knew going back into a study environment would be a challenge for me, but being around a lot of people who had just recently left school I was able to adopt good practice from them."

But Teresa also had her own qualities that she was able to pass on to her younger colleagues. The result of the mixture is a beauty salon which is a huge hit with members of the community. I caught up with neighbours Glenda Currie and Isobel MacKay who were enjoying a manicure.

Glenda said: "I have been hugely impressed at the level of professionalism on offer here at the college. The students are all so incredibly friendly and they really do know their stuff."

The open door policy at the college also makes it an ideal environment for students to practice all levels of treatment. Teresa said: "We don't always know what level of treatment people are looking for when they arrive, which is great as it really tests our full range of skills."

Isobel MacKay who was enjoying being looked after by her granddaughter Alice said: "I came here last year with members of the Inner Wheel Club, we were pampered in the morning before heading for lunch in the afternoon. It was a fabulous meal, the whole reception was spot on, and as a result I have encouraged Glenda to come with me this time."

A visit to the restaurant was next on my menu, where I enjoyed five star treatment. The lavish lunch was a far cry from my usual fare, and it was all presented brilliantly by first year students.

The restaurant was already filling up by the time I arrived, and I was lucky enough to be able to take a look in the kitchen where a number of students were putting the final touches to the quality cuisine.

But this was no Hell's Kitchen, more an area where the only thing burning was the ambition from the students who were looking to take their dreams further.

This article appeared in Border Telegraph 23 Jan 12

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