Celebrating opportunity

As the 15th annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships will be taking place between 7th13th February 2023, we look into what apprenticeships can bring to your salon and where to seek advice.

An Apprenticeship is a tailored learning programme for those looking to develop their skills within the hairdressing industry. Incorporating all aspects needed within the qualification units that provide underpinning skills, knowledge and understanding required for apprentices working towards their Hair Professional Standards.

As we gear up to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week which kicks off on February 6th, Jake Unger, Head of Education at HOB Academy, praised apprentices as the ‘unsung heroes within a salon’ as they play a fundamental role in ensuring a five-star client experience is provided.

“Having young and enthusiastic apprentices in the salon encourages ongoing education that is provided from more senior members of the team, and this results in both the apprentices and qualified stylists and colourists consistently improving their skill sets.” Jake added.

With the government law encouraging teens to stay on in further education, alongside the distorted views that social media platforms portray, it is a challenge to entice school leavers to see the incredible opportunities that the hairdressing industry has to offer. Jake believes that becoming a hairdresser is a life skill, and feels that this is one of the most rewarding industries to be in, but knows success doesn’t just happen overnight.

“Three years of hard work and determination are required to qualify to the HOB standard and some of the roles and responsibilities apprentices hold aren’t very glamourous. To overcome these challenges, we are focused on building connections with young people by attending local school career talks, where we can engage with potential apprentices directly. We bring along other key members of the HOB Family, that are young and aspirational, and this helps to inspire our audience.” Jake explained.

In order to really get the most out of the apprenticeships scheme, HOB Salons use their own social media platforms to champion all the different avenues that this industry offers. From the internal education we offer to fashion week, shoots, shows and seminars, as well as displaying a clear career path if someone wants to work their way up to management or even owning their own salon one day, “It’s our responsibility to show how rewarding this industry can be,” Jake finished.

Operations Manager, Stephane

Ferreira, at Live True London, believes that training apprentices from the beginning is definitely an easier route. Not only do they soak up the company’s ethic and motto, they also learn the ways of working with a clientele and the hair technique used.

With statistics showing that apprentices are more likely to remain loyal to the salon they are trained in, we asked Stephane if Live True London has built trusting relationships with their apprentices to which she replied: “Yes, if an apprentice is with us from the start of their education and goes on to qualifying with us, they stay and run their column in our salons.

“Many other salons get apprentices just to cover their cleaning tasks and then let them go in the wild after they qualify. The difference that we can bring is that when we hire apprentices to be trained, they know that they will have a secured position with us afterwards as a stylist and that they will be busy and have a clientele to work with.” This can then contribute to greater client retention as guests like seeing those familiar faces and get used to how particular stylists work.

Daniele de Angelis, Academy Manager at TONI&GUY, explained that he enjoys working with apprentices as he feels it’s always easier to work with a blank canvas rather than someone who may have picked up some bad habits:

“Students on our Beginners Course range from those with absolutely no experience to those with a little bit of experience, and you find it’s usually those with no experience who pick things up easier.”

Like with anything, challenges are always bound to pop up, but it’s the way you deal with them that will bring the benefits. Daniele revealed that the industry they are struggling to attract the younger generation, purely because it’s not something you can learn quickly.

• Young apprentices can be amongst the most dedicated workers, bringing fresh perspectives, ideas and new skill sets into the workforce providing a positive influence on your business. This can result in increased efficiency and profitability.

• You can instil your company’s ethos and culture from the start. This can help the apprentice to quickly integrate into your way of working and gain the skills and behaviours needed to develop and progress.

• It can be simpler to train an apprentice who has not picked up ‘bad habits’ elsewhere.

• ‘Home-grown’ apprentices tend to be loyal and more likely to stay on with their employer. They can progress and be promoted saving you time and money on recruitment costs.

• Existing staff can gain new skills by mentoring and supporting apprentices.

It involves a lot of training, a lot of work on the shop floor and it’s hard work, but Daniele explained: “We do everything in our power to make it as enjoyable as possible.”

At Rainbow Room International, apprentices have always been an integral part of the business. Leigh Kerr, Director of Rainbow Room International’s Academy and current British Hairdressing Awards Educator of the Year, sees that apprentices bring another dimension to your team: “They are full of promise and drive, with some fantastic ideas. Client’s love having the apprentices in the salon, and are always genuinely inquisitive as to how well they are getting on in their training.”

Westrow Academy’s Principle, Laura Shinners, agrees that apprentices are essential to the evolution of the hairdressing industry; they’re the cogs that keep the salon wheels turning, allowing you as salon owners to develop, evolve and produce the next generation of hairdressing talent.

Westrow’s directors have always placed great emphasis on finding diamonds: assistants who truly shine, developing a business model over the years that has supported not only its own business growth, but the development, growth and culture within the hairdressing industry at large.

It’s training and talent that underpin everything you do and an apprentice’s education doesn’t end the moment they qualify and progress to the salon floor: “Our students know we are passionate about developing their skillsets and mindsets, taking a 360-degree approach of philosophy, concept, implementation, re-evaluation, recognition and reward. What’s key here is that we look at how we can encourage individual performance with a targeted approach to help improve abilities, skills and confidence in a learning environment, and in terms of personal growth.” Laura added.

Anyone over the age of 16 can become an apprentice, including existing employees (in some cases, there is an upper age limit, for example, in Northern Ireland).

Caroline Larrisey, Director of Quality and Standards, NHBF commented on the opportunities apprenticeships provide to not only the candidate in question, but the salon too: “Growing in-house talent, offering someone a great opportunity, and bringing new energy, creativity and ideas to your beauty business are just some of the great reasons to take on an apprentice,” says Caroline.

Apprenticeships are vital in providing clear long-term paths to skilled employment. The hair and beauty sector is significant, with employers covering every corner of the country, providing jobs and opportunities for lasting careers. Apprentices provide an opportunity for employers to ‘grow their own’ staff and develop a crucial talent pipeline for their business.

Growth in self-employed practitioners within hair and beauty has significantly impacted self-employed individuals who rarely employ apprentices. The pandemic has played a part, as school leavers have received little or no career advice or leading to the reduction of young people currently in an apprenticeship in our sector.

Caroline explained how there has been a significant decline in young apprentices coming into the hair and beauty sector in recent years. In 2019, in England, 9,932 hair apprentices were starting their careers in the hairdressing industry. In 2020, the numbers were significantly reduced to 7,037.

The Government has shown a commitment to reskilling and training the UK’s workforce as we come out of the pandemic. The Government’s latest Skill Recovery Package, whilst welcomed, offered £3,000 to employers for each new apprentice they hire. With a typical 16-18yr old apprentice full-time wage for 24 months (the period of the apprenticeship) costing around £14,660 and a typical salary for an apprentice aged 19+ being about £20,800 – the £1,500-£2,000 funding provides little incentive for employers within the sector during this challenging financial period.

Caroline highlighted the fact that salons should shout about their staff qualifications and professional development, as it can help massively with increased footfall.

“A great salon brand differentiates you from the competition and represents what you stand for, who you serve, and what benefits your clients can expect. Salons are largely about image, health, and self-improvement, so it stands that your brand should incorporate recognition of you staff qualifications and professional development to make your business ultra-attractive to your clients.”

Stacey Whyte, Creative Director at Cheveux Salon, talks first-hand from her experience on the benefits she enjoyed through her apprentices, describing them as ‘the backbone of a salon.’

Stacey added: “I find it much easier to train someone from scratch, including the basics of how to act in the salon, presentation and client skills rather than having to undo old habits or changing to the ways our salon may run. When it comes to skillset, if we have someone new in we will do a refresh over everything and fine tune or adjust what we feel necessary, adding into the training plan. Whereas having someone from the very start is a much more natural learning process and they are able to absorb our salon ethos more rapidly.”

Whatever the needs of your business, you can decide where you would like to nurture and develop expertise.

Apprentices can provide you with the skill and professionalism that your salon needs to be prepared for the future.

If after reading this article you are still unsure of where to turn, please don’t hesitate to get in touch for further advice surrounding apprenticeships.