Veluna: Gamified story-based learning for excellence in the nail industry

The UK nail industry is largely unregulated, with training often limited in depth and lacking a strong focus on safety. Learners are frequently expected to self-study critical information without fully understanding it, leading to poor retention, unsafe practice, and growing public health risks. Many technicians also lack the confidence and skills to charge sustainable rates, despite working in a significant and growing sector of the economy. There is a clear need for more effective, practice-based training that supports safe, consistent standards across the industry.

Veluna will develop a narrative-driven, scenario-based vocational learning platform for nail training. It will feature a structured, 12-module curriculum delivered through immersive gameplay. Learners will progress through real-world scenarios, combining video demonstrations with interactive challenges that require them to apply knowledge in areas such as product chemistry, health conditions and sterilisation.

By allowing learners to make decisions, test approaches and see the consequences of poor practice in a safe environment, the platform aims to build deeper understanding, improve retention and support the development of safe, professional skills. At scale, this could raise training quality across the nail sector and support more consistent, professional practice. The platform could be adopted by training providers and employers across the beauty industry, offering a scalable model for simulation-based vocational learning in safety-critical environments.