Habia representatives were the special guests at Malta's House of Representatives last October when they were Malta to take part in the organisation's fifth international conference.

The Habia International Conference took place at the Hilton Malta in Portomaso, and drew delegates from Habia's partner organisations in Spain, Italy, Japan, China and Malta itself.

Top of the agenda was improving the standard of training globally, reciprocity and government action, improving branding and promotion, and changes to the UK education system such as the new Diploma in Hair and Beauty Studies.

Representatives from VTCT, Habia's new partner for qualifications, were also present for the first time. Away from the discussions, members from the Habia team, including CEO Alan Goldsbro, visited the House of Representatives while it was in session to meet with Giovanna Debono, Minister for Gozo, and Carmelo Abela, Deputy Speaker and spokesman for the Opposition Labour Party on training issues.

Among the subjects discussed were improving the quality of training in Malta and the potential to work together to achieve this. A number of further meetings were held with some of the key figures in Maltese education during the visit, including: Frank Edwards, principal and chief Executive of Malta's largest college, MCAST, on working with Habia in the future; Dr James Calleja, acting CEO of the Malta Qualifications Council, to ensure consistency between UK standards and Maltese standards; Jacques Sciberras, CEO of the National Commission for Higher Education (NCHE), to look at the UK standards and discuss the business case for licensing in Malta.

The Habia team also attended the 2007 Goldwell National Hairdressing Awards, the country's biggest fashion and styling event of the year, with 44 stylists competing for 17 awards and hairdressing demonstrations performed by students currently taking Habia International Qualifications (HIQs).

The next Habia International Conference will be held in Las Vegas in July.