Latest News

From a young age, creativity has been at the tip of former Heart of Worcestershire College student (HoW College), Molly Beer’s, fingertips and with this she has been able to embark on a journey that combines both her hobbies and passion. However, Molly’s journey hasn’t always been a straight line, so how did she get here?

After wanting a change from the theory lessons and long exams, Molly joined HoW College in 2018 to study Level 2 Beauty Therapy at the Redditch campus. During her time on this course, she gained practical skills and carried out treatments such as massaging, manicures and pedicures, waxing, facials, tinting, tanning and more and was also able to gain transferable skills including customer service skills and communication.

After successfully completing her Level 2 qualification Molly decided to continue and progress to the Level 3 qualification, this course had more of a focus on massage and electrical facials. As well as this, Molly was also working part time at the Abbey Hotel and Spa in Redditch, where she had completed her work experience during Level 2. Here she practiced her practical skills as the spa offered massage, facials, manicures, pedicures and more. Having these skills from college gave her confidence when speaking with clients and performing treatments.   

Sadly in 2020 the COVID-19 pandemic hit, which meant spas were shut and Molly had to complete her Level 3 qualification from home - the good news is, thanks to online learning and support from the College Molly was still able to gain the Level 3 qualification in beauty therapy. After the pandemic, Molly went back to spa work and spent some time working in a pharmacy, but after severely breaking her leg in June 2023 and her desire for a creative career, Molly moved away from this.

So, where is Molly now?

One of Molly's goals has always been to be a successful tattoo artist and that is exactly what she is working towards now as she is completing a tattoo apprenticeship!

Communication and customer service is key within the tattooing industry as it’s important the client feels at ease and as comfortable as possible, communication is also important, as Molly needs to know exactly what the client wants. Thanks to the transferable skills picked up during her time at college Molly has been able to apply these during her apprenticeship.

Speaking about how these skills have helped during her apprenticeship, Molly added:

“There are many skills that I learnt in college, that I still use now, even though my career changed directions. Communication and social skills played a big part, especially when meeting new clients.

Learning how to keep my work area clean and sanitary to avoid any cross contamination has also been extremely beneficial and learning about anatomy was also very useful.”

Skills are the key to any success and Molly’s story demonstrates that having the right transferable and practical skills and motivation for a passion is how you’re going to achieve in a career that you love. Molly wanted a more hands-on and practical environment after leaving school and that's exactly what HoW College was able to give her.