Students from Forth Valley College’s Salon Services Department were presented with the perfect product pack by Ellisons - one of the UK’s leading professional hair and beauty suppliers – to make sure they are prepared for a once in a lifetime trip to Japan.
FVC have secured funding to take 14 students the land of the rising sun in January 2026 through the Turing Scheme. They will be accompanied by two lecturers -Tracey Ritchie and Nicola Mackenzie.
The Turing Scheme is a UK government programme providing grant funding to UK educational institutions to support their students and apprentices for international study and work placements abroad. The scheme aims to increase global opportunities for UK students and is a core pillar of the UK's global education and training approach, offering additional support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Lesley McAteer, Ellisons Business Account Manager (Scotland and Northern Ireland), said: “As part of Ellisons partnership with Forth Valley College, I had the pleasure of meeting the successful students who have secured a spot on the educational trip to Japan in January.
“Ellisons have been a supplier of Forth Valley College for many years now and we are delighted to support this fabulous trip. To congratulate them, Ellisons gifted each student a hand-picked selection of professional hair, beauty and media-make-up goodies, as a token of our congratulations and the perfect gifts to inspire their skills and creativity.
“We wish them the most amazing adventure and we can’t wait to hear all about it when they return.”
Wendy Gentles, FVC Hair and Beauty Technician, said: “I’m so excited for the selected students! This is such a fantastic opportunity for them and we can’t thank Ellisons and our other suppliers for their kind donations and support for the travelling group.
“A total of 14 students have been selected and there will be taking a mix of hair, beauty, and make-up artistry students. The Itinerary is not set yet, but it will relate to the different subject areas. The group will be visiting three cities in total, with the capital Tokyo being one. It’s an amazing, once in a lifetime opportunity for the students!”
Nicola Mackenzie, Hairdressing Lecturer, said: “This is such an exciting opportunity for the staff and students who are going to Japan, the education for hairdressing in Japan is so different from here in Scotland and I cannot wait to work with their ‘sensais’ and also experience the Japanese culture. To get to share this with our students is just amazing!”
Tracey Ritchie, Make-Up Artistry Lecturer, said: “I’d like to thank our suppliers who have donated a ‘goodie bag’ to our students who are going to Japan in January. This kit will help support our students during their study trip and is very much appreciated by staff and students. This is an amazing opportunity for all makeup artistry, beauty therapy and hairdressing students and staff.”
FVC’s salon suppliers have over the last few weeks, been donating products for the students’ future studies and/or the trip. Suppliers who have donated will be mentioned in the marketing and promotional information for the trip and the students will tag them on social media etc.
Suppliers who have already supported the project include:
Ellisons
La Beeby
Wella
Banbury Postiche
Capital Hair and Beauty
Hair and Beauty World
Cloud Nine
