MC College Students head to Vegas and Vancouver as part of their Education

MC College, the largest Beauty School in Canada, takes students from their Colleges to Las Vegas to experience the North American Hairstyling Awards, as well as to the Dermal Institute in Vancouver.

Surrounded by industry glitterati at the pinnacle of the city's dazzling flash, students and staff from MC College Group will participate in the North American Hairstyling Awards (NAHA) in Las Vegas July 19.

"We believe in training our students to succeed by observing successful people, and this is where the industry's stars come out to shine," said Joe Cairo, President of the MC College Group. "The NAHAs are the hairstyling equivalent of the Academy Awards, and last year our students were the largest and most visible contingent right in the middle of all the action."

Experiencing the bright lights firsthand during last year's trip, the students posed for group shots by photographers from two leading industry publications, Canadian Hairdresser and Modern Salon. Rubbing elbows with the continent's top professionals, several MC College instructors and directors met hairstyling legend Vidal Sassoon.

An academic feature of the trip was an educational session on how to compete in the NAHAs. The awards include a Student Hairstylist of the Year category, and several MC College Group students are expected to compete this year.

The NAHAs are part of Cosmoprof, the largest hair and esthetics convention in North America. It takes center stage in Las Vegas each summer.

This will be the College's fourth year attending the Las Vegas conference, and MC College Group has extensive experience with the NAHAs. Students won the top award in their category in 1994 and '95, grabbing two of the top three spots in North America in '94.

"After 13 years, it's time to bring the award back," Cairo said. "We definitely have the talent."

The next study experience for MC College Group Esthetics students is an August trip to the Dermal Institute in Vancouver. There, students from all six MC College locations will be immersed in special skin care classes. Developed specifically for MC College, the curriculum focuses on the Dermologica professional product line. The studies include demonstrations and product knowledge instruction. Students will also have the opportunity to experience professional esthetic treatments firsthand. The Dermal Institute trip is now an annual part of the MC College Group Esthetics program.

"These travel study experiences are a key part of our instructional philosophy," Cairo said. "There is no better way to learn than by experience with successful industry leaders."

MC College has also developed a Partners In Training program, which features regular interactions with past graduates who are now successful salon owners.

Headquartered in Edmonton, the MC College Group also has locations in Red Deer, Calgary, Winnipeg, Kelowna and Saskatoon. Established in 1925, the first colleges were purchased in 1975 by international competitor Frank Cairo, winner of the World Supreme stylist award. The MC College Group trains more than 500 students each year and places over 95 percent in professional positions.

The MC College Group is online at www.mccollege.ca.