L'Oreal and Hong Chi Association were honoured today with the Certificate of Merit for the Outstanding Partnership Project Award 2017/18 by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) for their Beauty for a Better Life (BFBL) programme. The award was presented to the organisations at a ceremony held during the Caring Company Partnership Expo 2018.
L'Oreal was the only beauty company to receive the award in recognition of its long-term commitment to serving the community by promoting diversity and social inclusion. The Beauty for a Better Life (BFBL) programme, launched in partnership with Hong Chi Association in 2009, has resulted in the first-ever accredited hair care training course for the intellectually-challenged in Hong Kong. Additionally, L'Oreal was also recognised by the Talent-Wise Employment Charter and Inclusive Organisations Recognition Scheme, winning both the Friendly Employment Award and Outstanding Inclusive Team Award.
"We are delighted that our efforts with Hong Chi Association to promote diversity and inclusion have been highly recognised by the community. We are happy to leverage our expertise to help vulnerable groups integrate into society, as well as have Root Salon as an industry partner to provide internship and employment opportunities for BFBL programme trainees. We thank our colleagues for their steadfast support in all our initiatives and encourage other industry players to give their support and join us in building a society that is fair and inclusive to all," said Eva Yu, President & Managing Director of L'Oreal Hong Kong.
L'Oreal initiated the BFBL programme in partnership with Hong Chi Association and invited local hair salons to support the programme as industry partners. L'Oreal offers a train-the-trainer programme, sponsors products for training, as well as provides professional advice on salon operations and curriculum development in order to equip students with the skills and knowledge to pursue a career in the beauty industry. The first graduate of the BFBL accredited training courses was employed by a local salon last year - a mark of success for the programme.
"Our partnership with L'Oreal Hong Kong led to the establishment of Hong Kong's first accredited salon training course for people who are intellectually-challenged at our Integrated Vocational Training Centre,"said Edwin Lam, General Secretary of Hong Chi Association, BFBL programme partner. "We thank L'Oreal for their contribution and support, which has given our students professional knowledge on hair care, expert insight into industry trends as well as product donations. We are very proud of the programme and hope to continue providing the highest quality of opportunities to our students with help from caring companies like L'Oreal."
"The BFBL programme not only benefits the community but also addresses the challenges in the hair salon industry by providing chances to vulnerable individuals to pursue a professional career. We have seen a great performance from the first successful course graduate who is working in our salon. We would encourage other companies to join such initiatives in Hong Kong," said Partner and Technical Director at Root Salon, Tom Leung.
In addition to the Outstanding Partnership Project Award, the Group was also awarded the 15 Years Plus Caring Company Logo, commending L'Oreal's dedicated CSR initiatives under Sharing Beauty for All and the long-term efforts made to improving the lives of employees, consumers, the environment and the community.
About L'Oreal
L'Oreal has devoted itself to beauty for over 100 years. With its unique international portfolio of 34 diverse and complementary brands, the Group generated sales amounting to 26.06 billion euros in 2017 and employs 82,600 people worldwide.As the world's leading beauty company, L'Oreal is present across all distribution networks: mass market, department stores, pharmacies and drugstores, hair salons, travel retail, branded retail and e-commerce. Research and innovation, and a dedicated research team of 3,885people, are at the core of L'Oreal's strategy, working to meet beauty aspirations all over the world. L'Oreal's sustainability commitment for 2020 "Sharing Beauty With All" sets out ambitious sustainable development objectives across the Group's value chain. www.loreal.com
About Hong Chi Association
Hong Chi Association (formerly the Hong Kong Association for the Mentally Handicapped), founded in 1965, has grown to become one of the most well-established non-profit organizations dedicated solely to serving some 7,000 people with intellectual disabilities across all ages and grades, along with their families in Hong Kong. The association operates 87 service units to provide a comprehensive range of services.
About Beauty for a Better Life programme
L'Oreal's Beauty for a Better Life programme was launched in 2009 in partnership with Hong Chi Association to provide hairdressing and beauty service training for students with intellectual disabilities. Two full-time courses are offered to students, the 24-month Hair Dressing Training Foundation Course and the 12-month accredited "Certificate in Hairdressing Assistant Training Course (QF Level 1). With these courses, L'Oreal aims to enhance the students' knowledge, skills and employability in order to promote greater social inclusion in society. The Group also partners with professional salon, Root Salon, for curriculum development as well as placement opportunities for students who have successfully completed the accreditation course and would like to pursue a career in the hair industry.
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Sustainable Brands Staff
Published Mar 18, 2018 3am EDT / 12am PDT / 7am GMT / 8am CET