Malaysia’s rapidly expanding hair and makeup salon and academy APT has come to Cambodia, marking the event with an official opening last week located along the Russian Boulevard, close to the Century Plaza Supermarket complex.

With more than three decades of experience in hair and makeup, APT is well established in Malaysia and Singapore, and it has won several awards. Chelsea Foo, operations manager of APT Hair Salon Make Up and Academy (Cambodia) says the company was first established in Malaysia in 1990, and now has close to 50 branches regionally that have served more than 1 million customers.

She adds that last year APT opened an outlet in Jakarta, Indonesia, as well as the branch in Phnom Penh.

“In Malaysia, APT has won many awards in several categories such as Superbrands Malaysia’s Choice 2005, the Small and Medium-Sized Recognition Awards 2009, and Asia-Pacific Entrepreneur Excellence Award,” Foo added.

“Here in Cambodia, we’re starting our first branch outlet with a beauty shop and an academy,” says Foo. “The APT Academy will provide classes on international theory and practice, with an on-stage competition finale.”

“Makeup is a way of becoming more beautiful, but APT teaches students to be more creative about makeup.”

That amounts to opportunities, she adds.

“The academy provides students with more ways to earn income by providing the professional skill for their clients,” Foo says.

“The students will learn how to do various styles of makeup and how to create customised beauty accessories according to clients’ needs.”

“While studying, students will get the opportunity to have real working experience, including outdoor activities and dealing directly with clients’ needs,” says Foo, who adds that the courses will also feature exchanges with the Malaysian team.

Chea Sokheng, assistant to the general manager, adds that the APT Academy will be overseen by internationally trained teachers and trainers, as well as Cambodians who have trained in Malaysia.”

“We offer many classes, such as hair-styling, makeup, nail art and skin renewal,” says Sokheng, who adds that costs for the courses depend on the length of the course and the materials required.

The hair-salon workshop is a 14-week course and will cost $350, while the makeup course lasts six weeks and costs $250.

“All students receive free accommodation close to the school, but have to pay for their own food,” says Sokheng.

According to Sokheng, Cambodian students will have access to low-interest microfinance loans from VisionFund Cambodia if necessary.

APT is poised to sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with VisionFund Cambodia in order to provide loans, says Sokheng.

APT Hair Salon Make-Up and Academy already has 10 students doing a course on personal grooming.

Meanwhile, the shop offers many high-quality products, all imported from either Malaysia or the United States, and all with approval from the Ministry of Health.