Sovereign Grooming is launching its second barber training academy this month.
The 1,200 sq ft space sits across two floors at New Waverley in Edinburgh’s city centre.
The company is looking to train up 52 students per year across its two academies, having invested £500,000 last year to launch its first barbering school and salon in Glasgow.
Kyle Ross, who founded Sovereign Grooming, will be training students one-to-one alongside barbers Liam Allen and Nathan Robb – who have both been shortlisted for Barber of the Year at the upcoming Scottish Hair and Beauty Awards.
He said: “We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our Edinburgh academy which will complement our Glasgow branch in helping to close the skills gap we are seeing as a result of the pandemic.
“Our Glasgow academy aims to qualify 36 students each year and the new Edinburgh facility will add an abundance of exciting graduates to the industry’s talent pool, with the ambition of training 600 barbers over the next decade.”
Sovereign Grooming’s students will work towards achieving an SVQ Level 2 Barbering qualification, which is recognised worldwide. The academy teaches the day-to-day workings of a men's grooming brand, while providing extra skills in photo shoots, fashion styling and stage presenting.
The Edinburgh academy will also offer advancement courses to established hairdressers and barbers, carrying out bespoke sessions to suit student needs.
Ross opened Sovereign Grooming in his hometown of Aberdeen in 2016.
He was named Scottish Men's Stylist of the Year in 2017, a year which also saw him win Best Barber UK at the International Barber Awards.
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