Apprenticeship training in hairdressing 2012

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR:  regular postings of fresh new topic's

Lets consider apprenticeship and the training it offers!

Is becoming a apprentice the way forward for you. Is doing an apprenticeship the best training. Will it afford you the best opportunities once you have finished your training?

Here in the uk it's fair to say that the government are very keen to promote doing an apprenticeship in most trades. Many years ago I myself did an apprenticeship much has changed since those days when at the age of 16 my parents signed papers along with a salon owner committing me to a three year apprentice program. On Reflection I was cheap labor, shampoo boy, cleaner, dogs body. Never given any opportunity to go to college day release.

Today with so many training options and the government keen to promote apprenticeships do your research firstly make sure it's the right career and profession for you.talk with professional in the industry ask questions. Then and only then research your best way forward who is offering the best scheme be clear about the training and indeed time scale and format of all instruction. take charge of your career  an apprenticeship is based on trust but also mutual respect its a contact to train and gain experience in exchange for working make sure this is the case! make  sure you will get qualified and certified to the required level.
I also believe that we should have a body here in the Uk to over see apprenticeship training and standards one for hairdressers over seen by qualified industry professional who only goal and mandate it to raise standards. I think that fellow professional internationally would agree that this is the case in many countries states and provinces. We have to have training and standards. We have to offer the very best in training and should strive to have a high standard of qualified creative free thinking talent young professional coming into and representing our industry.  

These days so much has changed and standards of qualification have to be reached.  lets take a look although law's standards differ on a global scale i think the thinking is not that different from country to country.

What is an apprenticeship? 
Apprenticeships enable you to. Practically learn your trade, as well as studying to gain the theory and enable you to receive your qualification. It is a marriage of hands on work experience, as well as having time to get day release to college for your NVQ qualification. They are aimed at young people aged 16 and over, to enable them to earn money whilst gaining experience in a hairdressing environment. Equally importantly the experience gained working in salon environment is invaluable An apprenticeship in hairdressing will normally involve, you working in the salon every day bar one or two when you will be attending college. It can take up to 5 years to qualify as a hairdresser but if your committed work hard show willing this does not have to be the case. So if you have the patience and the commitment to keep at it. Then an apprenticeship would be for you, gaining the experience of salon working  at the same time as doing the college work. The alternative would be college and then having to then find, a salon to gain the experience and skills to be qualified in all aspects of the hairdressing industry.

Are you creative good with your hand? Do you like people? Are you prepared to offer service?

Why do an apprenticeship? 
An apprenticeship enables you to earn a small income.  Whilst working and gaining qualifications needed to become certified .You can use an apprenticeship to gain NVQ (National Vocational Qualification) levels which is what you need to become a qualified hairdresser The main advantage to you as an apprentice, you will also gain many years experience in the practical environment and learn communication skills, people skills, things that are not always best taught at college, as opposed to all that time studying just the theory at college. Employers like to see that their future employees are keen to learn, but also see it as away to bring new energy and levels of talent into the salon team. Because of this salon owners are usually, very keen to take on apprentices

who are committed enthusiastic and willing to work learn be a team player, it's not always easy but it can be very rewarding and fun.

Will I enjoy an apprenticeship? 
When thinking about undertaking a hairdressing apprenticeship, You should be certain that this is the career path you wish to take, hard work for little financial reward long hours. You need to be really focused to be successful, know that you will need to put in the work and organise your time really well to balance salon work, college and personal time, not always easy. I would say it's a life style choice certainly not for everyone. But the rewards can be many, in ways one cannot explain  you must be prepared. To be responsible for all aspects of your life and work ,finding time at work with studying in order to get the most out of it, this can be very challenging, its all about balance. You can’t just work in the salon and not go to college, because this doesn’t meet the requirements of partaking in an apprenticeship scheme. You should also be  prepared to be able to, work as part of a team and as an individual . Make you own choices decisions and live with the consequences for you choices hairdressing has no room for a huge EGO!

Lets face some facts! Answer some questions!

How long does an apprenticeship take? 
This can vary from 1 year to 5; it is dependent on the contract you have drawn up with your employer and on your own ability also.

As a norm 3 years of hard work should get you through to level 2NVQ,. it can take up to five years but within in this you could be, performing many salon tasks. By proving you worth and talent, some salons will promote you and give you opportunity to grow and advance, we all learn and grow at a different pace.

How do I apply to become an apprentice? 
You can call the National Apprenticeships Helpline on 08000 150600. They will provide you with information as to where your nearest opportunities are. They will advise you on the career you wish to take, they will have access to many employers and be able to advise you on where learning providers are in your area.

You can also get in touch with employers directly. Ask them if they take on apprentices or would be interested in doing so. If they do. Then they will probably arrange to meet you, as they would a proper employee and interview you, to ensure you would be a good investment for them to make.

This being said you should also make sure. It's the right place for you, ask to chat with staff members.maybe offer to do a few trial days. This is a big decision. This is a two way thing both parties have to know agree and be committed to this journey together. Not all salon owners have the best interest of trainee's at heart! Some look at it a cheap labor  so ask the right questions make a list! compare what an apprenticeship offers against college or paying to take a shorter route career path by going to a private Academy ! lots to investigate.

Become part of a team! Learn how to communicate! Maybe gain some stage presence !

  

Use the internet as a tool to help you find. Where takes on apprentices in your area. Additionally, look in your local newspaper and visit your nearest job center. You have to make sure you choose the right apprentice scheme to embark upon as well, so look upon it as finding a job. Check out you college. Find out about the courses, meet some of the instructors, just because they are qualified standards of commitment vary greatly. Make sure you do your research, before applying to ensure that you would be happy, working in the salon you choose and the college you have to attend. This is a big decision.

Explore you creativity discover your self! Hard work but endless possibilities!

Again talk with people. Ask question, read and research. I hope that my blogs help to advise and guide you with this wonderful creative challenging career. 

Mike B2MR

Encouragement for trainee hairdressers

Back2myroots : A place to share thoughts and grow idea's. B2MR

I decided today to share some views posted by other fellow professionals on our industry and what they would share with any one who is thinking about or training to be a stylist.

I was very pleasantly surprised by the positive energy commitment and passion of these comment. I hope they will inspire others to share and those coming into the industry to embrace it.

For it's an adventure a journey with challenges and choices but one well worth taking.

Here is the Question:

Question: If you had an opportunity to talk with young training stylists what would you share

with them about our industry and profession. What advise would you give?

Here is some of the advise 

Education , don't be afraid to ask questions. Work together with other stylists to share knowledge within the salons 

you work in. Go the extra mile to let your customers know how much you care about them and appreciate their business. Don't be afraid to give your time for free to create business. When I moved to Vancouver and was just starting out , I gave haircuts to strangers for 5 dollars, just got them in the door. I also put up a poster and the Nursing college to offer discounts to the students. It is better to be working for free than not at all because you are building experience and repeat business that will take care of your future.

Take your ego out of the profession, it never does anyone any good. My parents were both hairstylists and excellent at what they did. My father always told me to shy away from the Posers, and the Primadonas. I think that was good advice.
Don't be afraid to ask questions of your clients. The more you get to know them the better you can understand how they like to look. A really good question on first meeting is, Do you like to make a quiet entrance in a room full of people or do you like to stand out right away?
Most importantly , if you don't like what you do , it will be very difficult to do well at it. Hairdressing is something you have to love!!

More!

I would tell them  ENJOY THE RIDE!!! It is a big, Fun, exciting, challenging career, filled with endless

opportunities for personal and professional growth!

More !!!

That it's not for everyone....If you have the talent, don't give it up because there is no other job out there remotely close to this industry. Stay on top of Education! there is always fresh new people coming into the industry to keep up with :) be dependable, listen well and never be afraid to ask questions. If you put your ALL into your work and keep patience and persistence, it will pay off in the long run. Never sell yourself short, there is too much opportunity out there :))!!

last one!

I would say dont be afraid to make mistakes - make as many as possible while your are training , Ask ,ask and ask again all the dumb question you think you have and watch -shadow a senior- question why on everything . Put yourself out there confidence comes from doing and dont beat yourself up too much, enjoy and have fun with it .

I would like to thank the members for these comments and for sharing them i hope they inspire others! 

My hope is that trainee stylists and any one think about hairdressing as a profession  and career choice will get inspiration from these comments