A course is being run once a month over three days to train women to enter the lucrative beauty industry. They will also learn how to run their own businesses.
THE City's central library is offering a cosmetology course for aspirant beauticians as a way to encourage young and unemployed women to enter the lucrative beauty industry.
The course complements Johannesburg's strategic objective of alleviating poverty and reducing the rate of unemployment within its borders. It is tailored to encourage women to take advantage of the rapidly growing beauty industry, and start their small medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs).
It will be run every month for three days. Registration has already opened and the course requires a minimum of 15 people; it costs R350 and participants will receive certificates and a start-up kit for their beauty parlours once they have completed their courses.
The notion of running a beauty course was sparked but the boom in the cosmetics industry in the country, especially in recent years, says Nelly Thahane, the brains behind the project. "The main purpose of this initiative is to alleviate poverty and to empower women in general."
On offer will be modules on professional manicures, French manicures, natural acrylic and French acrylic tips. Lectures will include skin and hair treatment, pedicures and make-up application, among others. "These are very popular treatments," she notes, adding that women will be taught practical skills to enable them to set up their own SMMEs and become self-sufficient.
Financial, marketing and communication skills will also be taught.
Prices
Thahane says that prices charged for beauty treatments vary between affordable to extremely expensive, depending on a number of factors, such as the location of the beauty parlour. "This gives new entrants to the industry an opportunity to compete easily while making a decent [profit]."
While the beauty industry is an attractive and lucrative business opportunity, there are certain barriers to entry, including the high cost of training. "More often than not, training is offered at over a thousand rands for a day," Thahane claims.
This makes the City's rate of R350 for three days comparatively affordable. "The City of Joburg has developed a project aimed at meeting this need."
Classes will be held on the concourse of the main library, which is in the Library Gardens, between President and Market streets, in downtown Johannesburg.
To qualify for the course, potential participants must be screened; first preference will be given to unemployed people "who are eager, interested and will be committed to the programme", Thahane says.
The City plans to host the course once a month at different libraries in Region F, so that everyone can get an equal opportunity to participate. "The course will provide participants with different skills, give them confidence and the ability to run their own businesses."
For further information on the beautician's course, telephone Nelly Thahane at the central library in Region F on 011 870 1207 or on 082 467 0172, or email her on NellyT@joburg.org.za.
Source: http://www.joburg.org.za
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