The British Beauty Council has introduced the Future Talent Programme, a beauty-specific career development programme set to nurture a steady pipeline of talent to the beauty industry and all of its sectors.

The UK hair and beauty industry supports almost six hundred thousand jobs and these roles contribute almost £30bn (US$35.8bn, €33.7bn) to the British Economy.

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) skills are vital to the beauty industry. Whether it's product formulation, sustainable packaging innovation, website design, supply chain efficiency or the various careers in-between, personal care couldn’t exist without STEM specialists.

However, the value and awareness of beauty careers in STEM have been long underestimated, making it difficult for young people to realise the diverse opportunities available to them in the industry.

The British Beauty Council says this has resulted in a shrinking pipeline of talent to the industry which has been hit post-Brexit and in the aftermath of the pandemic. In response, the orgnisation is tackling this lack of awareness with the Future Talent Programme which launched at No10 Downing Street last week.

Minister for technology and digital economy, Paul Scully MP, and education secretary, Gillian Keegan MP, were both in attendance.

Scully said: “I’m delighted that the British Beauty Council is taking steps to develop the Future Talent Programme to showcase how a career in beauty-tech really is open to everybody.

“The potential that tech has to offer the beauty sector is unmatched with developments like AI, the metaverse and NFTs providing tech opportunities for STEM graduates.

“This is an incredibly exciting industry to be a part of and we want as many young people as possible to be involved in its overwhelming success. I look forward to seeing what the next generation of beauty pioneers will create.”

The British Beauty Council has worked with Estée Lauder Companies, L’Oréal, No7 Beauty Company, Superdrug, Deciem and The Fragrance Foundation to execute the cross-industry campaign.

Supported by the industry and the state

Backed by the Department for Education, The Careers & Enterprise Company and STEM Learning, the programme will be seeded out via The Careers Hub Network, to schools across England to inspire and educate young people in the most formative years of their educational careers.

The Future Talent Programme is dedicated to highlighting career pathways to young people, aged 11-18, inspiring them to see value in their current education.

Leading by exampleTo help engage young people, the British Beauty Council has worked with popular Gen Z beauty figures including Jamie Genevieve, Plastic Boy and The Welsh Twins to create a series of short films covering beauty and STEM opportunities in cosmetic science, sustainability, fragrance and technology.

Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with STEM Learning, the Council is also facilitating a beauty STEM Ambassador Programme. This will see industry leaders visit schools to share their inspiring expertise and career advice with the next generation of beauty innovators.

During its pilot phase, STEM Learning estimates that the programme has reached a total of 25,000 schools, primary and secondary, and an additional 10,424 teachers via an additional dedicated newsletter.

The Future Talent Programme will exist beyond this initial roll-out to explore different career areas including marketing and communications, buying and merchandising and beyond.

Millie Kendall OBE, CEO of the British Beauty Council, said: “As a young person I never knew of the abundant and fulfilling careers available in the beauty and cosmetics industry. I worked as a hairdresser, and only by trial and error did I end up with the colourful career I’ve managed to create.

“We want this programme to fast-track young people towards suitable career options, thus ensuring we have a seamless flow of talent.”

About the British Beauty Council

The British Beauty Council is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to solving the beauty industry’s shared challenges. It represents the wider industry by engaging in conversation with the Government.

In order to tackle issues facing the industry today and in the future, the Council collaborates with a diverse network of patrons and affiliates so that every sector within the beauty industry can thrive.