Read on to discover the viewpoints of an apprentice, employer and training provider and their take on what a successful and enjoyable apprenticeship looks like…
Jodie Konyk, Employer, Artistic Nails and Beauty, Huddersfield
What drew you into apprenticeships?
“Being a salon owner and needing staff, I knew a Kleek Apprenticeship was the best route, having trained with them myself – apprenticeships are also a great way to help the industry develop, by bringing in new therapists and showing them what I’ve learnt over many years and from owning my own salon. “
What do you see as the most rewarding parts of working in apprenticeships?
“It is the best route as you gain real practical experience, and work in a real salon environment from day one. You gain valuable people and customer service skills too.”
What would you say to someone considering doing an apprenticeship?
“If you put everything in and work hard, you will succeed and get what you want out of it. It’s hard work at times, but when you have all the knowledge and hands-on experience available, you will go far!”
Olivia Gadenne, Apprentice, LEJ Hair Gallery, Colchester, Essex
Which Apprenticeship standard are you doing?
Hairdressing Professional Standard Level 2
What made you choose an apprenticeship?
“I’ve always had a passion for hair, ever since I was a little girl, and wanted to find the best route into the industry. I knew I was in safe and nurturing hands with Kleek Apprenticeships. I like learning in the workplace and having a dedicated educator who fully supports my training.”
What is the most rewarding part of your apprenticeship?
My apprenticeship is so rewarding. I enjoy learning new techniques and I love the clients. I’m a total chatterbox and never wanted a solitary job – I really enjoy the customer side and connecting with people, both my team and my clients, as well as being creative too.”
Sophia Robertson, Head of Marketing & Recruitment, Kleek Apprenticeships
Why should someone consider doing an apprenticeship?
Kleek Apprenticeships highlights that a hair and beauty apprenticeship is the best route to a successful career in this creative industry. You gain valuable practical hands-on experience in a real workplace, together with valuable customer service and people skills. You also earn why you learn, so have no student debt to worry about. On completion of your End Point Assessment, you are a qualified stylist, barber or beauty therapist with an internationally recognised industry standard qualification with a variety of career routes open to you from colour specialist, tv/film/theatre stylist and business owner, to working on cruise ships, in hotel resorts or in a personal stylist role. You also gain skills for life that can fit your chosen lifestyle.
How do you support employers and their apprentice?
Kleek Apprenticeships supports our employers from start to finish – we offer well-established recruitment services that help you recruit the perfect candidate for your salon. We help you at every stage of the recruitment process if so wished, help with enrolment and paperwork, and support every salon/barber/spa and every apprentice throughout the apprenticeship with our dedicated educators, specialist resources and support administration.
Why do you love training apprentices?
We love working with employers to train up the next generation of creative talent in the hair and beauty industry. We’ve trained over 7,500 apprentices in over 800 salons since Kleek Apprenticeships (formerly Saks Education) was founded in 1999. We can’t wait to train our next 7,500!