The L’Oréal Foundation’s international “Beauty for a Better Life” programme, which it launched in 2009, provides training in the beauty business as a way of helping those in need to reintegrate into society. In France, the programme was launched last February under the name "Beauté d‘Entreprendre", and the first training course was successfully completed this summer.

"Beauté d’Entreprendre” was launched jointly in February this year by the L’Oréal Foundation and the Fondation des Apprentis d’Auteuil, who are experts in supporting vulnerable people rejoin society. This training programme is intended for individuals who find themselves marginalised from the job market and provides free entrepreneurship support to help them get started in the beauty industry.

"Beauté d’Entreprendre” offers 16 weeks of support for budding entrepreneurs, covering each stage of setting up a business.

13 trainees enrolled in the first course and received group and individual training depending on the topics and issues being covered. In addition to the training, participants are personally supported by a tutor/trainer for a year and supervised by a business mentor for up to six months after setting up their company, to help put their project on the path to success.

The trainees’ achievements were celebrated on 6 July, marking the successful completion of the first course, which has already borne fruit, for example a hairdressing salon which opened at the start of July in Paris’ 18th district.

Two new courses have started since September, with a total of 22 participants.

Driven by a strong ambition, “Beauty for a Better Life” is planning on the “Beauté d’Entreprendre” programme in France gathering momentum quickly over the next few years.

www.beautedentreprendre.com