Wella Professionals has joined hands with the Salaam Bombay Foundation (SBF) to support underprivileged youth with a structured, career-oriented training in hairdressing, a high-demand skill in India’s fast-growing beauty and wellness sector. The collaboration reflects Wella Professionals’ commitment to shaping the future of the industry by driving education and economic empowerment at the grassroots. SBF brings decades of experience working with at-risk adolescents aged 11 to 17 across Mumbai’s public schools, and Wella builds on this foundation to create real pathways for sustainable careers. By providing industry-grade training, mentorship, and professional exposure, Wella is giving young people, especially young women, access to opportunities that would otherwise be out of reach.
Through this partnership, students are chosen from SBF’s Beauty & Wellness Skilling Programme, which introduces 9th standard students across BMC and government-aided schools to the basics of the beauty industry. So far, more than 10,000 students across seven Indian locations have completed this entry-level course. From this pool, motivated girls aged 16 and above are shortlisted and guided into the next phase: advanced hairdressing training with Wella Professionals.
This selection is based not only on technical potential but also on commitment, mindset, and the willingness to build a long-term career in hair and beauty. Once selected, students gain access to advanced, industry-recognised training at the Wella Academy, where they learn not just hairdressing techniques, but also product knowledge, salon operations, hygiene standards, client communication, and more. Wella’s global training modules are adapted to meet both local relevance and global quality benchmarks, giving these young learners a world-class learning experience.
“I would encourage everyone in the beauty community, from brands to salons to fellow professionals, to see such social programmes as an investment in our shared future,” said Pravesh Saha, General Manager, South Asia, Wella Company. “Our industry has always been an active part of the community, and this partnership is just another small step to give back in a fulfilling way. Beauty is about transformation, and what’s more powerful than transforming lives through opportunities and education.”
From SBF’s perspective, the partnership with Wella has significantly amplified the foundation’s ability to deliver on its mission. “Wella, as a global brand, brings in technical depth, industry relevance, and aspirational value that strengthens our programme and inspires our students,” said Gaurav Arora, Chief Growth Officer & Senior Vice President, Salaam Bombay Foundation. He also added that “Together, we’re not only training young people, but opening doors to dignified, long-term careers in beauty and hair.”
This partnership sets a benchmark for how the hair and beauty industry and social organisations can unite to drive meaningful and lasting change, creating pathways to sustainable livelihoods and inspiring the next generation to step into the future with confidence
