Habia will be on the road for the next 12 months as it visits towns and cities across the UK, talking to educators to get the most accurate picture possible of the problems and issues currently affecting the learning sector.

Habia: The Big Conversation will give learning providers the opportunity to speak directly to Habia, the Government appointed Sector Skills Body and industry authority for hair and beauty, on issues ranging from funding and qualifications to skills needs and reform - at a time when the sector is facing unprecedented challenges and changes.

Most importantly, Habia: The Big Conversation will give educators the chance to ask the questions they needed answering.

There will be events throughout the UK over the next 12 months, as well as workshops and updates on skills issues, covering England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

As a further part of the Big Conversation, Habia will also be carrying out the most detailed and authoritative research into training and skills in the hair, beauty, nails and spa industries in the last five years.

Jackie Holian, Habia Director of Business Development, said, "Traditional seminars and events are fine for some organisations, but they can be very stuffy and formal, and only really scratch the surface of the matters people really want to talk about. Habia: The Big Conversation gives us the opportunity to come and visit learning providers in their own region and discuss the issues affecting them. There are national issues, but there are issues unique to each area that just wouldn't be picked up on at a conference.

Likewise, our Big Conversation gives learning providers the chance to ask questions, rather than have us speak at them from a lectern."