Students from Uxbridge College joined forces with staff from the Park Inn Hotel at Heathrow to share their expertise in creating a professional appearance.

The eleven hair and beauty students worked with the male and female staff at the Park Inn Hotel & Conference Centre to teach specialist skills in hair styling, make-up, manicure, and skin and hair care.

Demonstrations for female staff included how to put hair in a bun, braid or French pleat, and create a daytime make-up look. Men were coached in the use of various hair products, keeping hair short and neat, and hand and skin care.

College students brought along professional products and staff could also use their own during the four one-hour workshops, which took place at the hotel in Bath Road, Heathrow.

The students are working towards Level 3 professional qualifications and train in the Distinction Hair & Beauty Salons at Uxbridge College Hayes, which are also open to the public.

Debbie Nolan, Beauty Therapy Section Manager at Uxbridge College, said: “It was a great privilege for at Uxbridge College students to be invited by the Park Inn Hotel to contribute and share their knowledge with front-of-house staff members in a personal grooming session.

“Our students at Distinction Hair and Beauty Salon take pride in their professional appearance and were able to successfully demonstrate their skills, techniques and abilities to support staff in meeting the new uniform policy at the hotel.

“The event had a positive outcome for both Uxbridge College and the Park Inn Hotel, benefitting the students who gained knowledge working within a professional environment, and hotel staff who developed their knowledge of personal grooming and appearance. We would be very pleased to work with the Park Inn Hotel again when further opportunities arise.

“We are now looking forward to seeing hotel staff at Distinction, where they have booked further treatments and services following the success of the workshop.”

Elise Malik, Training and Development Manager at the Park Inn, said: “The grooming workshop at the Park Inn with Uxbridge College’s hair and beauty students was a huge success and extremely worthwhile for all concerned.

“At the Park Inn, giving our guests and conference delegates the best possible experience is our top priority, and well-presented and well-trained staff are vital in creating confidence in our business. Uxbridge College’s students have played a key role in supporting us in this and helping ensure all our staff have the skills to support our new uniform policy.

“As part of the Rezidor Carlson Group, the Park Inn has a very strong and committed Responsible Business Programme where we actively support and work with local community organisations such as Uxbridge College.

“Based on the success of this workshop, I am sure there will be further projects we would like to get the students involved in.”

• Distinction Hair and Beauty Salons at Uxbridge College Hayes are open to the public for competitively priced treatments given by fully-supervised trainees. For more information or to book an appointment call 01895 853666 or email distinction@uxbridgecollege.ac.uk. To see the price list please go to http://www.uxbridge.ac.uk/images/pdf/restaurant-and-salons/distinction_pricelist-web-feb2012.pdf.