KIGALI - SHair Academy, a UK based charity organisation, will in January 2012 initiate a professional hairdressers’ academy in Remera, Kigali.

The group, which has sponsored other academies in some African countries, including Kenya, will work alongside the Workforce Development Agency (WDA), which directly oversees vocational education in the country.

WDA chief, Jerome Gasana, and Nigel McCarthy of SHair, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on behalf of the two institutions on Thursday, which marked the beginning of the mutual cooperation.

The academy will initially offer training free of charge to over 60 students in beauty and aesthetics (hairdressing).

This is expected to improve professionalism in the hairdressing industry, which has been lacking, according to Didier Munezero, the WDA Partnerships Director.

"This is one sector that has been lacking enough people with standard skills, in Rwanda. This academy serves as a perfect platform for those engaged in the sector.”

Meanwhile, the academy will sponsor three Rwandan trainers, who passed interviews, for a three month hairdressing course in Kenya.

Upon their return, the trio will train other Rwandans in the fields of pedicure, manicure, beauty and aesthetics, according to Jerome Gasana.

The UK-based organization would provide all the specialised equipment and top teaching staff, who will, with time, pass on the responsibilities to Rwanda.

The new development is also in line with the goals of the Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET); a program created by the government to promote vocational skills and consequent employment.

Speaking about their role in the academy, the TVET schools Development Specialist at WDA, Charles Sekanyambo, noted that they were actively making preparations to acquire the required premises before the launch.

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