(From left to right): Dato Ramani Gurusamy, Co-Chairperson & Board of Governors of NCOW; Susan Koh, Senior Corporate Communications Executive; Joanne Yeoh, President of YWCA; the graduates of Beauty For a Better Life 2017; June Yeoh, Chairperson & Board of Governors of VTOC; and Jean Loh, Corporate Communications Director of L'Oréal Malaysia take a group photo.
There is power in education. Women who possess knowledge have the ability and opportunity to make a difference in their own lives. Based on this belief, The L’Oreal Foundation launched Beauty For A Better Life worldwide, extending a helping hand to young, disadvantaged women in more than 20 countries from Latin America, Asia and the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
In Malaysia, the very first Beauty For A Better Life programme kicked off in 2016, providing disadvantaged young Malaysian women with training and skills in cosmetology, particularly hairdressing. 10 women successfully-graduated from the programme last year, and three of them immediately secured a job at Centro Hair Salon in The Garden Mall, Kuala Lumpur after completing their training.
The participants showcasing the looks they created with their models (from left to right) Rock, Glamorous, and Romantic
Partnering with the National Council of Women’s Organisation (NCWO) through the YWCA Vocational Training Opportunity Centre (VTOC), Beauty For A Better Life Malaysia aims to equip young disadvantage Malaysian women without access to education to help them obtain a recognised certification in a professional hair and beauty course so that they can find jobs in this field.
As a leading advocate of women’s rights, NCWO unites women’s organisations to respect, protect and fulfil human rights, promote the development and advancement of women at all levels, advocate and monitor the full participation, inclusion and representation of all women in decision-making, as well as ensure equitable access for women as agents and beneficiaries in national development.
VTOC, a project of YWCA Kuala Lumpur, provides vocational training for employment to young women and girls from economically-disadvantaged segments of Malaysian society. Since its inception in 1998, a total of 1,524 young women have benefitted from its courses.
This year, L’Oreal Malaysia expanded the Beauty For A Better Life programme to include a new category: Beauty Care. With an explosive growth of 18% in the market demand for the makeup category in 2017 alone, this provides many job opportunities for talents in the makeup sector. The Beauty Care programme encompasses six months of comprehensive training that includes makeup, bridal and nail courses. Graduates of the programme also had the chance to intern at leading cosmetic stores such as shu uemura, Urban Decay and YSL Beauty, allowing them to experience first-hand the colourful world of makeup.
“Last year, we had 12 girls who graduated as certified hairdressers through Beauty For A Better Life. This year, with the introduction of the Beauty Care programme, we are immensely proud to see 21 young women graduate successfully. In line with our company’s credo, L’Oreal Malaysia believes that no matter their background or financial ability, these girls should be given equal opportunity to obtain the skills and tools needed to integrate themselves into society. By helping them achieve the first step of acquiring knowledge, we can give back to the community and encourage these ambitious young women to make a difference in their own lives,” explained Jean Loh, Corporate Communications Director, L’Oréal Malaysia.
“We pledge to continue the Beauty For A Better Life programme on an annual basis, as we strongly believe that more and more disadvantage young women will benefit from this holistic training programme. By allowing them to learn from professionals in the haircare and beauty sector, and at the same time, bringing them together to create a support system that will help them get through tough times, I am confident that these young women will continue to do us proud,” said Jean Loh, Corporate Communications Director, L’Oréal Malaysia.
(From left to right) The models with the Glamorous, Romantic, and Rock looks pose for a photo.
After a 12 month-long programme, the 21 participants of Beauty For A Better Life 2017 graduated at a lively ceremony, held at the Vocational Training Opportunity Center (VTOC) and attended by their proud instructors and family members. The graduating class of 2017 put together a graduation hair and makeup show, showcasing their skills by presenting three different looks – Glamour, Romantic and Rock.
All 21 participants of Beauty For A Better Life 2017 were also presented with graduation certificates during the ceremony. Now, as certified hairdressers and makeup artists, these young women are ready to make their mark in the beauty industry.
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