L'Oréal Saudi's First Women's Hairdressing Academy Cohort Graduates

In a significant step towards empowering women in Saudi Arabia, L'Oréal Saudi, in partnership with Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, has proudly announced the graduation of the first cohort from its unique hairdressing certification program. Tailored specifically for Saudi women, this initiative is a testament to L'Oréal's commitment to enhancing the role of women in the Kingdom's private sector by providing them with professional training in the beauty industry. A group of nine dedicated students has successfully completed the intensive six-month program, amassing a total of 800 hours in theoretical and practical learning, along with gaining firsthand experience through internships at top salons in Dammam.

This milestone is not only a celebration of the graduates' hard work and dedication but also signals the program's effectiveness in opening up new career avenues for Saudi women in the beauty sector. With 67% of the graduates having already secured employment in renowned salons across Dammam, the program demonstrates its vital role in empowering women and fostering their careers in this vibrant industry. The initiative is set to continue its mission post-Ramadan 2024, aiming to annually educate and empower at least 100 Saudi hairdressers, while also aiding local salons in increasing their Saudization rates.

Mehdi Moutaoukil, General Manager of L'Oréal Professional Products Division at L'Oréal Middle East, highlighted the significance of this achievement, stating, "The graduation of the inaugural cohort from Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University marks another milestone in our journey to empower Saudi women and elevate the standards of the entire beauty industry in the Kingdom." He emphasized L'Oréal's ongoing commitment to investing in skill development and education to support Saudi women in achieving fulfilling careers in the beauty sector.

Patricia Freiha, Business Unit Director L'Oréal Professional Products Division - Saudi Arabia, underscored the partnership's role in nurturing local talent and promoting sustainable growth within the private sector. She noted L'Oréal's dedication to creating an ecosystem where Saudi women can excel professionally and emerge as leaders and mentors in the beauty industry.

Dr. Fatimah Abdulrahman Alrawajeh, Dean of Applied College at Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, further affirmed the partnership's commitment to fostering local talent and inspiring the next generation of Saudi women to become skilled hairdressers and entrepreneurs.

The L'Oréal Hairdressing Academy initiated its journey in Riyadh in 2021 at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, graduating 23 students to date with an impressive 80% employment rate. This ongoing success story has been pivotal in providing young Saudi women with valuable career opportunities in the local hairdressing industry.

Building on this foundation, L'Oréal Saudi Arabia has now obtained official commercial registration for its training activities. This enables the company to offer hairdressing certification to Saudi women through its academies in Riyadh, Jeddah, and Khobar. With a vision to educate and empower a minimum of 100 Saudi hairdressers annually, L'Oréal continues to support the aspirations of Saudi women in the beauty industry, marking a significant step towards their empowerment and professional development.