Backed by government initiatives and vocational training programmes, this sector offers global placements, entrepreneurial opportunities and job openings in small towns

Beauty, wellness and grooming are indispensable aspects of life, particularly for young professionals striving for financial success and a luxurious lifestyle. It’s crucial to recognise that a professionally trained hairdresser can earn more than an engineer or a doctor, dispelling the outdated notion that community-based hairdressers only fulfil basic needs. Their workplaces also serve as vibrant community centres where people gather, exchange ideas and foster belonging and bonding while waiting for a haircut. Therefore, it’s imperative to rebrand the skills and professionals in the beauty and wellness sector as ‘Beauty Architects’ or ‘Glam Gurus’, elevating their profession’s status and attracting more talent to this lucrative industry.

Our country’s beauty and wellness industry presents unparalleled employment opportunities and global placements. Recognising this, the government has initiated various measures to create pertinent content, curricula, information databases, and delivery systems, standardise accreditation and certification processes, and establish industry-aligned infrastructure. These efforts aim to equip young individuals to perceive beauty and wellness as a promising profession.The beauty and wellness sector should streamline its curricula to emphasise industry exposure.

As the industry transitions towards more excellent organisations, professionals must be educated on adhering to professional service standards, obtaining industry-specific qualifications and certifications from reputable organisations, and enhancing their existing qualifications through access to higher education and research.

Integrating extensive internship, apprenticeship, and on-the-job training opportunities will provide candidates with practical work experience and a comprehensive understanding of the industry. The absence of employer-led apprenticeship standards and career pathways leads to limited internship opportunities, depriving numerous students of valuable learning experiences. 

Early introduction of beauty and wellness courses in schools is essential. Our current education systems prioritise knowledge-oriented training through rote learning, neglecting practical, experiential learning crucial for real-world application. Therefore, orienting students towards vocational education as an alternative career choice is imperative.

 The absence of practical and experiential learning impedes innovation, creativity, and imagination among learners, leaving them ill-prepared for the evolving world of work. The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 advocates integrating vocational education with mainstream education to expose 50 per cent of  K12 and PG learners to vocational skills by 2025 and 100 per cent by 2030. Schools play a crucial role in raising awareness about vocational career paths.

Notably, beauty and wellness skill courses have been part of the curriculum in Delhi Government schools for over a decade. Early exposure to such vocational education can aid students, parents, and guardians in considering alternative career paths and foster a positive outlook on the workforce’s dignity in the beauty and wellness industry. The vocational education sector has tried mainstream vocational courses such as BVoc, MVoc, BSc, and MSc in Beauty and Wellness. However, these programs have seen low enrollment due to a need for more awareness about career opportunities and limited seats.

There is a need to design more BVoc and MVoc courses with multiple entry and exit points, focusing on practical application in areas such as Beauty Culture, Cosmetology, Yoga, Ayurveda Dietetics, Sports Nutrition, Physiotherapy, Salon Management, Beauty Therapy, Aesthetics, Aesthetic Dermatology, Hair Dressing, Makeup, and Spa Therapy, rather than just theoretical knowledge.

Additional focus is also required in the areas of human psychology, stress management, mental well-being, nutrition and diet, reflexology, alternate therapies etc.An alternative pathway to a bachelor’s degree is completing a one-year ITI program and gaining a year of industry experience. Expanding training capacities in the Beauty and Wellness sector within ITIs is crucial, as the current short-term training programs are insufficient to meet industry standards and demand.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is essential for informal workers with significant industry experience. Despite possessing valuable skills, many informal workers in the Beauty and Wellness industry need more formal education and training.

RPL can help them gain formal certification based on their industry experience. Additionally, there is a need to support entrepreneurship in the Beauty and Wellness sector. More than 50 per cent of vocational graduates in this sector opt for self-employment, and there is a growing trend of industry workers starting their enterprises. 

A robust support system is required to support these entrepreneurs and foster innovation and employment.

The Indian beauty and personal care market is experiencing rapid growth in tier-II and tier-III towns, with a substantial value of $22 billion and projected to expand at a rate of 10-12 per cent to reach $34 billion by 2028, as per the Nykaa Beauty Trends Report. This surge in tier-II and tier-III cities is not surprising, given the global trend. In India, approximately 38 per cent of the demand for beauty and wellness products and services, particularly direct-to-customer (D2C) offerings, originates from these cities, making them highly lucrative markets.

Despite being underdeveloped, tier-II and tier-III cities hold significant potential in the beauty and wellness sector.  Research indicates that professionals in these cities are well-versed in domestic and international trends, products, and hair services. Social media’s influence has been pivotal in driving lifestyle changes, especially among the younger population. Young customers and professionals in tier-II and tier-III towns are eager to explore new trends and various beauty and wellness services.

In contrast to metropolitan cities, recruiting a skilled workforce in these smaller cities is more accessible, as a motivated and trainable young workforce is readily available. Beauty, wellness, and grooming have become integral to everyone’s lifestyle, regardless of whether they reside in metropolitan cities or smaller towns across India.

People increasingly seek professionals to help them achieve their desired makeovers, so it’s time to adopt an inclusive approach to rebrand the traditional workforce as professionals in the beauty and wellness sector.

(The writer is co-founder and MD of Orane International, a training partner of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and a network Member of India International Skills Centres, an initiative of GoI; The views are personal)