Education Takes a Community

By Anthony Gray, MIG Training

Still basking in the collective glow of the industry coming together to celebrate all things business at the 2022 Australian Hair Industry Awards (AHIA) the one thing that stood out was the constant reference throughout all of the acceptance speeches to education.

Each of the award recipients and presenters were impassioned in their call for a commitment to the training and nurturing of our apprentices and new stylist entering the industry.

What also stood out was how our hairdressing community, on the industry night of nights is supported by an incredible array of companies and suppliers. Through their significant investment in sponsorship and the education platforms developed to support their brands, these companies help salons and individual stylists to grow and access a level of education that is world class.

As an educator working is the apprenticeship education space these standout messages highlight the opportunity that exists for educators across all parts of the industry to collaborate and provide the very best education experience possible for apprentices and the salons, they work within.

All too often the apprenticeship training is delivered by the Registered Training Organisation (RTO) while at the same time the apprentice and salon team are receiving extensive training from suppliers and independent educators. The outcome can be like ships in the night or to coin another phrase, the left hand not always know what the right hand is doing. And as such the risks are twofold.

Firstly, supplier or independent education that is not provided at the right time in the apprentice’s development can lead to confusion and the apprentice feeling out of their depth.

Secondly RTO training that does not take account of the education received from suppliers and independent educators can result in frustration from the apprentice and salon over wasted time and the relevance of the training delivered. collaboration and communication not only can these risks be averted but a formidable education and training program can be developed to support the apprentice journey to becoming a qualified, competent stylist.

The key building block to allow this to happen is to develop an in-salon training plan. And more specifically the in-salon training plan needs to cover three components.

1. A timeline for in-salon skills development over the duration of the apprenticeship.

2. Aligning the formal training delivered by the RTO with the in -salon skills development

3. Scheduling expert and supplier education into the skills development timeline to complement and support both the in-salon education and the formal training provided by the RTO.

Sounds good in theory I know, but what does that look like in practice?

An example that is highly relatable is that of colour education. An in-salon skills plan created by the salon may include the following timeline:

6 - 12 months: Basic Colour and Toning

12-24 months: Intermediate Colour

24 – 36 months: Advanced Colour

Once a timeline has been established, the individual skills sets can be matched to the units delivered by the RTO as part of the Certificate III in Hairdressing. For example, working through the units, Shampoo and Basin Services and Colour and Lighten Hair at the same time as the Basic Colour and Intermediate Colour Skills set are being developed in-salon.

The final step is then to work with your supplier to coordinate the technical training so that the colour education delivered by the supplier is undertaken at a time that supports the training that has already been delivered in salon and is in line with the formal training that is being provided by the RTO. It is also important to ensure that the technical level of the training undertaken matches where the apprentice is at in their in-salon skills development timeline.

When all these stars align the outcome can be startling. The apprentice has a structured timeline where in-salon mentors build real skills on the salon floor. Skills are then developed in line with the formal training and assessment undertaken by the RTO. These skills are backed up by contemporary technical training which builds confidence and proficiency. But above all else a timeline that aligns all parties provides a tangible guide to progress, building in reward and recognition as skills develop.

Skills that are developed in-salon and through supplier education are recognised both in-salon and with progression through units of competency from the training package.

The coming together of the community to celebrate our industry at the AHIA’s brings into sharp focus what it takes a community to develop and grow the future of Hairdressing. A shared sense of purpose coupled with a plan, coordinated by the salon provides an amazing opportunity to retain and develop our future workforce.