Chandigarh: Lakmé Academy powered by Aptech (LAPA) today announced its plans to open multiple centers in Chandigarh by FY2018. Lakmé Academy powered by Aptech plans to be the biggest player in the beauty and wellness vocational skilling sector and plans to continue its impressive growth in opening training academies in the coming years as well.
The brand is a collaborative venture between global education and training leader, Aptech Ltd. and Lakmé Lever PVT Ltd., is a subsidiary of Hindustan Unilever Ltd. Currently, LAPA has over 50 centers across India.
According to a KPMG report, the size of India’s beauty and wellness market is expected to touch Rs. 80,370 Crores by 2017-2018. This includes the beauty products, beauty salon and spa businesses. It is estimated that the salon and spa business together account for 31% of the total size of the beauty and wellness market.
Rising disposable income, changes in consumer’s consumption patterns and lifestyles, improved purchasing power of women, as well as, increased emphasis on a holistic wellbeing with people’s desire to look good providing has provided a fillip to the demand for skilled resources in the beauty and wellness industry.
Commenting on the growth opportunity in the market, Pravir Arora, Executive Vice President and Global Head of Marketing, Aptech Ltd. said, “Chandigarh is one of the most vibrant growth markets for the sector. The growth is not hinging on the thriving affluent population which has been the predominant consumers of the beauty and wellness service. The rise of millennial and the neo middle class who emphasize on a holistic wellbeing as well as the desire to look good and young are playing a key catalyst in the growth.
It is estimated that the biggest impediment in the growth will be the shortage of skilled manpower of approximately 12.10 lakh. With Lakmé Academy powered by Aptech, we aim to bridge this skill gap in the industry. There are opportunities galore across the value chain for talented beauty and styling professionals, managers and entrepreneurs.”
Aptech entered into a strategic partnership with Lakmé Lever, a subsidiary of Hindustan Unilever, in August 2015 to establish beauty training academies across India. LAPA plans to train over 50,000 students to fill the skill-employability gap in the beauty services sector.
This alliance between Lakmé – the most admired Indian beauty brand and Aptech, synonymous with high quality education and vocational training —is an attempt to improve the quality of talent in the exponentially growing beauty services industry.
Students at the Academy are offered both foundation and advanced level training in skin, hair and make-up. Lakme Academy powered by Aptech has also integrated soft skills development into the technical curriculum to ensure that students deliver great results.
The top performing students are assisted with placements through the Lakmé Salon Network while aspiring entrepreneurs are provided with the vocational skills needed to own and sustain a Lakmé Academy franchise.
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