Set your course…
Since opening in 2014, the Sid Sottung Academy has blossomed into a multi-location business that has started thousands of barbering students on their journeys, as well as boosting so many professionals up to the next level.
With the welcoming of a new year, the Sid Sottung Academy has added a new course onto their books: the ten week NVQ Level 2 Barbering course, for which almost everyone is eligible for government funding.
Under the directorship of Sid Sottung himself and his team of Educators; Rachael Flynn, Matthew Fleetwood, Guste Kliukaite, and George Rest, the Academy has sparked into life and caused a ripple throughout social media, selling out their first three courses before any had even started, on the 14th January.
With more locations opening, Sid Sottung has invested in the future of barbering once again by drawing people who may not necessarily be able to afford to train, or retrain, otherwise. The grants that are offered allow people to follow their dreams whilst also not breaking the bank.
The Academy is also flexible enough to offer both full time courses and part-time evening courses which give an opportunity to learn whilst still in work.
With students expected to dress in a uniform of all black, Sottung has not taken this leap lightly.
“We’re not a college,” he stated. “We’re not a barbershop that offers apprenticeships. We are a Barbering Academy.”
He feels that by reflecting the feel of a barbershop whilst instilling the importance of learning and understanding of theory, the culmination of the two will set his students towards the path of Distinctions with their NVQ Level 2. Students are given the opportunity to not only leave with their qualification, but are expected to leave with up to four certifications – as well as a lucky few receiving a personal letter of recommendation written by Sottung himself.
Learning in a professional environment amongst some of the best barbers, including Rachael Flynn who was the only woman in last year’s BBA Barber of the Year line up, not to mention Sottung himself, students will not only be expected to learn, but to step up to the challenge of brandishing the torch that so many of the Academy’s alumni carry proudly.
Split between the Advanced Academy and the original Academy, both situated on Mansfield Road in Nottingham, students will be developing practical skills, understanding theory, and coming to grips with the long and illustrious history of barbering.
Students will be focusing on modules that cover the basics of client consultation and shampooing, all the way to advanced cutting theory, beard design, wet shaving and colouring, as well as the intricate sciences of hair.
Student can also expect to have various guest speakers, such as Captain Fawcett’s ‘right hand man’ Richie Finney to give lectures on facial hair, the legendary colourist Claire Turner from TiNTED, Kevin Hamm on retail and business development, and Dan Lord for photography and social media workshops.
Sid and his team will be visiting various expos and conferences throughout the year, so keep your eye out at Barber Connect and Salon International!
If you wish to learn more about the Sid Sottung Academy, visit sidsottungacademy.com or visit their various social media pages @SidSottungAcademy.
