A FAST-track training scheme that ­offers vulnerable young people a foothold into the beauty industry has created 12 budding entrepreneurs.

All the women who took part in the Princes Trust Get Into Beauty course - the first of its kind in Scotland - have secured apprenticeships, college places or potential jobs and each one could now launch their own business.

The intensive training and resulting qualification the women gained on the five-week course run by award-winning Glasgow beauty salon Revival Retreat is the equivalent of a year-long college course.

Salon owner Lynne Hetherington got ­involved with the Princes Trust to run the scheme at her city ­centre salon because the charity helped her set up her first business.

The participants, aged 16-25, were given specialised training in a range of beauty specialisms as well as health and safety and customer service and achieved an NVQ level two qualification.

The young women could now opt to set up their own businesses, offering treatments including pedicures and manicures.

All the young women involved have overcome difficult personal circumstances, including Amy Wilson, 16, from Old Drumchapel.

The teenager left school at 14 and suffered from depression and anxiety.

Before starting the course, she says, she was too anxious to come into the city centre. She has now been accepted for a college course in beauty therapy.

Amy said: "This has been a life-changing ­experience for me. I was sexually assaulted on a bus when I was 14 and I also suffered depression.

"Before this course I was too afraid to come into town because of how busy it is. Now I feel so much stronger, I'm in a happier place.

"I've learned so much and Lynne has been amazing. I'm really interested in make-up and would like to have my own business one day."

Anita Sweeting, 22, from Carntyne, said: "The course made me realise that not everyone is there to judge me or put me down."

Lynne Hetherington, 44, who owns another salon in Byres Road, said: "The course has been very, very intensive and the young women have absolutely shone. I'm so proud of them all.

"I looked at putting together a course based on other qualifications out there for young ­people. Some of the young women have kids and were finding it ­difficult to get a job.

"The skills we have given them, they will be able to start a business from today."

Firms including Benefit, Fake Bake, Nailzone and Flair, which supplies department stores including Fraser's with staff, have also expres­sed an interest in taking on a number of the participants as well as other Glasgow beauty salons.

The Princes Trust now hopes to repeat the training scheme, following the success of the inaugural project at the Renfield Street salon.

Laura O'Malley, Outcomes Executive for the Princes Trust, said: "All of these young women have overcome difficult circumstances. Some have not been at school since they were 14, anxiety is a recurring theme.

"Lynne got to know all these young women individually, to learn their strengths. Twelve young people started this course and 12 finished."

caroline.wilson@

eveningtimes.co.uk