UCB and Schwarzkopf project makes dreams come true

An innovative talent-spotting project, pioneered by University College Birmingham in association with Schwarzkopf, is going from strength to strength.

The Dream Maker award scheme, which recognises and rewards future stars of the hairdressing industry, has attracted the attention of colleges and universities across the country keen to replicate its success.

Each month students are judged against seven Key Performance Indicators, such as professional attitude and performance in the salon, and the most outstanding is selected to become a Dream Maker. The winners are given the opportunity to work as a hair stylist on a professional photo-shoot in London, alongside the Schwarzkopf creative team.

Recent winner Emma Cox, aged 18 from Halesowen, created a series of photographs based around a ‘garden fairy’ theme. She has since progressed onto UCB’s Theatrical Special Effects, Hair and Media Make-up course. Emma said: “It was a great experience and I was so pleased with the results. I can the photographs to show potential employers what I’m capable of.”

The programme was developed three years ago by Senior Curriculum Leader Carol Moore and Schwarzkopf’s Head of Key Accounts Derek Wall to incentivise the most passionate and dedicated students on the College’s Hairdressing, Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy and Specialist Hair and Media Make-Up courses.

Carol said: “A great portfolio can be the gateway to a fantastic career. The Dream Maker award scheme gives our hardest working students a priceless opportunity to build-up their portfolio with professional photographs which they can show to potential employers. It’s a good way of recognising students who are exceptionally dedicated and using them as role-models for others.”