Brand new industry-standard hairdressing and beauty salons have been recognised as the highlight of a college's multi-million pound makeover.

The bright and spacious salons, at Accrington and Rossendale College, are kitted out with top spec equipment used in industry, to ensure students are technically confident as they learn vital skills and get ready to become the hairdressing and beauty workforce of the future.

Claire Pye, head of division for hairdressing and beauty therapy at Nelson and Colne College Group, said: "The new salons at Accrington and Rossendale College are absolutely fantastic, and their modern and vibrant feel is the perfect setting for delivering our new high-quality technical curriculum.

"The new provision offer is cutting-edge, and it has been drawn up to ensure we are providing people with the vital trade skills and knowledge they will need to enjoy successful and sustainable careers in the sector.

"Supporting the salons and the curriculum for students at Accrington and Rossendale College is a varied extracurricular offer to develop important personal and professional skills too.

"We also complement the theory that is taught in the salons with industry relevant trips and visits, and entries to a range of exciting national competitions, enabling our students to build confidence and test out their fledgling skills against the very best peers in the business."

Complementing the enhanced salon environment and facilities is a new curriculum for the 2020-21 academic year, featuring improved technical qualifications, which are better aligned with industry demands and needs.

This includes programmes in beauty therapy, hair and media make-up, and hairdressing and barbering, enabling progression into more specialised vocational hairdressing or beauty pathways at level two and three.

Elle Gamble, 17, formerly of The Hollins in Accrington, is studying the level 2 pre-apprenticeship in beauty therapy at Accrington and Rossendale College.

She said: “I’m enjoying developing my skills through the course and the new salons at college feel so much more professional – they are a much nicer environment to be in and they motivate you to work."

The revamped salons and curriculum are part of a much wider transformation at Accrington and Rossendale College, which includes innovative study spaces, a revamped specialist learning resource centre and the creation of a new main entrance off Sandy Lane.

There are also dedicated learner services and careers areas and a remodelled and modern student refectory, plus a new construction and automotive building, as well as the creation of green space to enhance the feel of the campus and improve accessibility.