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

Make over colour correction

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

                            What is the hardest challenge in a hair colour make cut make over?
Firstly and foremost it has to be a situation with really challenging colour correction.
This leads nicely on to the hardest form of colour correction. What might that be? Over processed Mud coloured hair.
This situation is normally created when hair has been over coloured then in an attempt to fix it goes wrong.It is cause when all the shades neutralise each other out creating a muddy dull life less colour and really poor condition. This type of situation happens a great deal and can be very challenging to correct

Below we have a model with one such issue. She was blonde home coloured kit,Went to salon for help to take it back to a solid more natural colour with a view to getting it back in to condition and then over time have it looked after professionally.
Result the Salon took on the job they had no idea how to rebuild a pigment base in the hair  the result speaks for it self. Frankly when I saw this I was appalled that a salon could do this and charge for it. Not to mention let the client leave in such a nasty state.

The Fix:
After much consultation honest discussion it was agreed that a great deal of the really damaged hair had to come off.The model agreed that any colour that would look healthy and work with her skin tone and eye colour would work  as a starting point to hair recovery.
My challenge was what colour could i get this too!!!
Firstly I had to remove the muddy shade without over processing the hair more. A bleach cocktail worked into the hair a mixture of.

If making up a cocktail to lift old shades out try.

*1/2 oz Clarifying shampoo.

*1oz      Water.

*1oz       20 vol peroxide {or cream developer}

*1 oz      powder bleach.

Apply to clean towel dried hair, work through on area needing lift for 5 to 10 mins. watching all the time wash out rinse thoroughly.

Once this has been done and desired level of lift has been achieved we now have a canvas to work on and from.

It was decided that allowing for some fading and possible future change in direction of colour. That a warm or red tone would be a great way forward. Warmer tones will always give you a better base than cool or ash tones they will also allow you more flexibility to change and switch direction.  

It is also my feeling that when re building a pigment base on does not have to nor should use permanent colour formulation [why put more peroxide on over processed hair?] Demi formulation are all you need along with some patients as you build up the required pigment mantle.

  

 It amy seem like it is a slow process but applying different layers of colour over each other in the long term will give you much better colour retention.

Above is the result we managed to achieve and the look was created using a razor to give a soft shattered bob with lots movement and texture.
The result healthy looking hair a happy client who over the following months grew her hair out to being long and blonde with highlights and low lights. It took time and patients communication consultation .That is what we do in our profession service skill honesty always be professional.
  

The Hair salon the stylist who to trust.

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR:

Created as a source of advise education knowledge skill experience a place to share thoughts post comments and idea's on matters relating to hair colouring skill and techniques and anything industry related.

long drab very unflattering !

In Colour we trust:  In stylist we trust! do we deserve this trust?

Quite a Topic and one that both hairdressers and clients the public we serve can think on chat about!

Shot above before make over below model after shot, Razor cut  two days later she had her baby! feeling much better about herself.She had been to three salons wanting a change but none of them wanted to risk upsetting a 9 month pregnant women ! why they did not talk the time to listen!

Razor cut no scissors used!

As a client who has decided to go into a salon for a technical colour  service your hope your thinking has brought you to this place because you have decided to pay for the service knowledge expertise of a professional hairdresser colour expert technician.

                                    

You have made this choice rather than enter into the world of home hair colour, 

Quite frankly another area that needs so much more attention spent on it, for the consumer with regard to knowledge and honesty about the products how and why they work, what they do, realistic and true expectations transparency with home hair colour. 

As a stylist working in a salon offering your skill and service just by being in the salon environment you are making the statement that you are a true professional educated and knowledgeable, or at least one would hope so.

Then my question is why do so many women turn to Home hair colour? lets be honest it's not all about saving money, and if it is about money then we as stylist have that challenge to prove that you get what you pay for to justify the salon experience.

The Experience starts with image first impressions of both the salon and the staff appearance you only ever get one chance for a first impression. secondly its the time you have for consultation your time to shine sell you self your skill knowledge, listen advise be honest ask question your in control or you should be, by being in control the client should feel comfortable she is in good hands.

Easy ha!

Then why so many disillusioned clients why do we still see over processed hair drab dull colours, why so many articles from women unhappy with their hair, why so many reviews written about a bad experience.

That's not me i hear you say, who does this guy think he is! great that's the reaction i  want,

But oh so much of the time it's seems all about the money get them in get them out, under skilled under qualified people colouring hair lacking in knowledge and skill but with a Ego the size of a salon.

Why where does it come from?

Is it something instilled at college at the academy fake it till you make it. an attitude that once you have qualified you have made it you know all their is to know. you can go into a salon or go mobile calling your self a true professional.

When we have some many young people in college doing hairdressing and 14 year old students doing basic hairdressing as part of their school lessons, who decides on standards NVQ what does that mean when so many have it and yet are un-skilled! over half the students in one college i had experience with were wasting their time and that of the tutors, of the 14 year old students it was a way of getting out of other subjects but getting a qualification or accreditation upon leaving school what does this say!

Understanding your colour line:

When it comes to professional hair colour salons and stylist it's a fact that salon change colour lines because the one they have does not work for them. it does not lift, the reds don't hold, the ash shades to green, the pigment cannot control the lift! sound familiar, then why?

Professional colour companies know that hairdressers salons change colour lines through dissatisfaction this is why they constantly bring out new repackaged lines. there are differences between in quality but with the top names they pretty much work the same way pigments vary but quality and chemistry quite standard so why change?

Here it is!  IT'S EASIER TO BLAME THE PRODUCT THAN ADMIT LACK OF KNOWLEDGE!

As a former educator for a colour company i have seen so many salon owners bow to pressure from staff to change a colour line through dissatisfaction lack of skill and knowledge.

It is so hard for a manager or owner to suggest the issues lies in the mirror! If we take the time to read the education material in a manual part of a shade chart {yes the black stuff next to the pictures}To go on the education up dates to do in salon training model fun nights to play experiment, get to understand your colour line.

Simple things: this is all true when toning at the basin on pre lightened hair that is still tad yellow using ash toner! then blaming the product because it's sludge green ha ha you laugh it happens.

 or mixing a colour up but because you have chosen possible to higher volume of peroxide to counter act this you squeeze in a little ash then oh maybe that was to much so in goes some gold! yipee green again! guys this goes on!

So for the client who has been part of one of these salon situations these case of poor quality of work how are they supposed to respond? having wanted that salon experience, having wanted to feel pampered and a million dollars..but having left feeling nothing but resentful of the whole experience!

They want to trust know they are in good hands, as stylist we have to go so much further with the service we offer, but we owe it to our selves and the client to invest in our skill get the knowledge get the education learn our trade.

become experts in every aspect of our field this does not happen over night i don't think we ever know everything thing but the goal the motivation should be to know as much as possible keep pushing your self to be better and share this this knowledge with Clients and work mates.

For the client who has had a bad experience i say do not give up on a professional service just research find the good ones do not settle for second best.

Build a relationship built on trust and understanding and honesty about goal and expectations solving problems finding solutions

At the end of the day you should be able to put more trust in the salon the experience than you can that small box on the shelf at the supermarket that covers Grey makes you look younger healthier all in 10 minutes and for under a fiver!!!!!

I have written this to push buttons ask questions get reaction!

here is my web site this also links into my blog comments can be left good or bad.

http://www.back2myroots.co.uk/

Mike B2MR

Hairdressing passion, vocation, challenge.

Welcome to BACK2MYROOTS B2MR:
Regular postings of fresh new topic's        http://www.back2myroots.co.uk/


It is my goal to establish a platform to share the creativity, knowledge, and technical Skills:
I have had the good fortune to experience so many aspects of the hair industry with both fellow stylists and so many wonderful clients many who over the years have become good friends

 
Let me tell you a little about my professional background.



I began my training as a teenager doing my apprenticeship in London Mayfair working in a very busy, high profile salon while continuing to expand my training with other top London salons.

I moved to London's Chelsea - Kensington area to manage a salon, becoming a director and shareholder there before moving on to own and run my own salon in London Clapham district.
In the late 80's I made the move to Canada, starting off on in Ontario and ending up on the West Coast in Vancouver. After many years great years there we made decision to fly back across the pond to resettle here in the UK.
My introduction to the hairdressing world in Vancouver on the Canadian west coast was after a meeting with Mr Jon paul Holt owner of internationally acclaimed Avantgarde Artistic Center  in the down town area of Yaletown after this meeting i was fortunate to be offered a job this was the start of a very special life long friendship.
Whilst working the the salon i became more and more involved in  Avant garde hair salon on photo shoots and hair shows.
Whilst at Avantgarde we did hair shows such as the Alternative Hair Show at the Royal Albert Hall in London, Fashion Cares in Vancouver put on as a fund raiser for aids research by Mac Make up Salon International a main show event for the Canadian hair industry as well as participating in all the national trade shows throughout Canada.
I developed an interest in this area of the industry and got more and more  involved in competitive work. Within my first year I was a runner up in the L' Oreal colour competition for British Columbia.

A pivotal point thus far in my career came when I decided to focus
my career on education and stage work in addition to continuing my hairdressing business specializing in corrective colour work,
I became the West Coast Education Consultant and a Platform Artist for L’anza Canada,  based on Vancouver island working throughout Canada and on occasion in the USA on photo shoots and shows, putting together collections for upcoming seasons and training and working with a team of advanced talented stylists.

I continue to challenge myself and learn more I also became involved in the teaching side of hairstyling and have been teaching in salons and professional hairdressing colleges for the past few years.  

My passion for the industry remains strong and I have continued my work as a professional hairdresser to keep my skills up-to-date and learn about this ever changing craft. I began this venture to inspire clients as well as new and existing stylists with the view to sharing my knowledge and creativity with others and raising the standard of hairdressing and training and finding like minded stylists to work.

I am also very interested in hair colour how and why it works, as i research more and more i discover so much about the how the why but also the way that companies represent there products as being safe natural herbal it truly is quite remarkable, I think its key that we all strive to understand both the product how they work what they do trusting trusting the sales rep is not enough ask questions seek out informative education material strive to become an expert.
whilst Blogging and responding to articles and reviews it amazes me how many stylist recommend products make bold statements with out the slightest knowledge of the chemistry. trusting in what they have been told to this ends my real interest is in the science of all these natural product these herbal organic hair colours, i have yet to find one that does not have a chemical disguised in it's formula.
Some of the Major hair colour companies are very good at hiding facts or projecting the image they want us to project and sell to our clients.
Ammonia free all Natural, Organic, Herbal do you really know how they work ? would you like to know.
Henna and natural stains and colour how good are they really what are the down falls?

I write my Blog but hope it will open the door to some new exciting avenue of knowledge and sharing.
I can work with small groups /salons or individual stylist on any skills and ways to improve business and client retention you can contact me via my web site.
Mike

http://www.back2myroots.co.uk/  all hair done whilst on the Avantgarde artistic team thanks Jp