Guwahati: More than 500 girls from different parts of the region made a beeline for the first beauty and wellness job fair in the city on Tuesday.

Around 200 were shortlisted for training and subsequent employment in the companies taking part in the fair.

The job fair was organised at Hotel Lily here by the Beauty and Wellness Sector Skill Council, a not-for-profit organisation under the aegis of the central ministry of skill development and entrepreneurship and promoted by Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) with financial support from National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC).

The aim of the council is to establish an effective and efficient ecosystem for development and imparting of skills in the beauty and wellness industry and standardise training on a par with global standards.

Around 15 companies from the beauty and wellness industry participated in the job fair. The list of employers included VLCC, Lakme, Nail Spa, Iosis, Aroma Magic, Urban Clap, Nail Spa, Strands and others. An international cruise liner, Steiner, also participated, providing opportunity in the hospitality industry.

Trained and certified beauty professionals, hair stylists, makeup artists, yoga and fitness professionals, nail technicians and spa therapists vied for gainful employment. Freshers were selected for the second round which will test their practical skills.

Annu Wadhwa, CEO of the council, said, "This is the first time that training and jobs in the beauty and wellness industry are being provided on one platform for women aspirants from the region. Almost half of the population in India are women and they can make tremendous contribution to the economy. The young population should be made employable."