- 03 June 2026
- Press Release &
Kleek Apprenticeships is now a WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence member. As the UK’s leading specialist hair and beauty training provider, we have been raising standards and championing excellence in apprenticeships for 25 years and are delighted to be partnering with WorldSkills UK.
The WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence, in partnership with specialist awarding organisation NCFE, is a workforce development programme that empowers educators and education leaders to use international best practice to drive excellence in technical education and apprenticeships.
It delivers a trusted, nationally recognised, evidence-led workforce development programme that improves teaching quality, learner outcomes, and institutional performance.
Members of the Centre of Excellence benefit from free world-class teacher training, a thought-leadership community that helps shape policy and practice, and a hub for innovation, the Network for Innovation.
This new status also allows our learners to push their skills to the limit, too – not just alongside their peers but against the strongest regional, national, and even international talent.
Our Head of Curriculum and Development, Mandy McMullen, commented:
"Being part of the WorldSkills UK programme offers an exciting route to bring international best practice into apprenticeships and technical education. It will help us create more opportunities through competition-based learning and enable us to keep driving excellence, quality, diversity, and inclusion in hair and beauty training.
We want to raise the aspirations of young people across the sector and inspire more people to recognise the incredible careers available within hair and beauty. Through collaboration and shared best practice, we hope to encourage the next generation to push themselves to be the very best they can be.
For those with talent and commitment, a Kleek Apprenticeship provides a really exciting pathway into a rewarding and successful career."
Parisa Shirazi, Director of Standards, WorldSkills UK, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Kleek Apprenticeships into the WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence. This partnership will help Kleek to embed world-class teaching practices and ensure all students and apprentices develop the future-ready skills that will help drive jobs and economic growth.”
WorldSkills UK is an independent charity that uses international best practice to raise standards in apprenticeships and technical education. Each year, it challenges young people across the country to hone their vocational skills by competing in subject-specific competitions that mirror real-life, industry-based scenarios. Finalists have the chance to represent the UK at WorldSkills Competitions around the globe. Known as the “Skills Olympics”, these events take place every two years. All participants gain invaluable experience in realistic, industry-focused environments that prepare them for the world of work.
We already have Kleek apprentices involved in WorldSkills UK, including Katie Sime of Reds Hair Company, who will be Team UK’s Hairdressing representative at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 from 22-27 September this year. We wish Katie and all Team UK all the very best!
