AS part of National Apprentices Week, a Worcester beauty academy is to hold an open day to encourage more entrants into the industry.

Emma Beddoes, who runs Elite Nail and Beauty Training Academy in Lowesmoor, has arranged the event for Wednesday, March 11, when local students are being invited along to discuss career options.

"We offer privately run training courses in the nail and beauty industry which tend to appeal to adults who are looking to change or further their careers," Miss Beddoes explained. "Recently we have joined forces with the Weston Spencer group to deliver government funded courses and apprenticeships.

"Our apprenticeships are open to all ages and the courses we can offer are level two beauty and level two nail services. An apprenticeship is a fantastic way to start your career as it gives you the opportunity to earn while you learn, gain hands on experience and learn close-up from your peers. Businesses benefit from training their own members of staff and the government is currently offering a grant of £1500 to companies who take on an apprentice.

"We also offer level three nail services, level three beauty and level three complimentary therapies. These are ideal for anyone looking to add new skills or change their career.

"To run alongside National Apprenticeship week we are visiting several schools to talk to school leavers about nail and beauty as a career option and we will be supporting our local job centre for its apprenticeship day. Here in the training school we will be holding an open day on March 11 when we are inviting local businesses to attend in the morning to gain information on the apprenticeship scheme and potential apprentices to attend in the afternoon to see what we have to offer. We have will our group of Heaven Apprentices in the training school who will be on hand to talk about their experiences. The girls work with Deborah Mitchell, who works with the royals. We also have Worcester's MP Robin Walker attending on Friday, March 13, when we will have current and past students demonstrating their work and business owners who have taken on apprentices."