Hairdressing is an industry that many classify as “feminine oriented”, but some of the most successful hairdressers are men, and James Bell, 17, of Baldock in Hertfordshire looks set to join their ranks. In September 2009 James began a two-year NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing Apprenticeship with Stone Hairdressing of Stevenage, involving three days practical work in the salon each week plus one day’s class work at North Hertfordshire College.
Stone Hairdressing is a long-established family business. Founded some 40 years ago and now run by the son of the founder, it employs 14 staff in two salons both located in Stevenage. The enterprise has a history of utilising the services of apprentices to develop a skilled and motivated team who will maintain and develop the highest levels of customer service, and it also organises a programme of in-house training.
The apprenticeship programme James is following is the result of a partnership between his employers and North Hertfordshire College. It focuses on hands-on work in the salon to help James to develop a comprehensive range of work-based skills, plus an essential element of class work involving all aspects of hairdressing and theoretical knowledge to support and reinforce his practical ability. The course is, in this case, fully funded by NHC, apart from the employer contribution of his wages.
James has earned positive feedback from his tutor at NHC, Karen Thomas, who reports: “James is already setting a benchmark for young male hairdressers, and he confidently tackles any challenge put to him.”
There is considerable competition for the limited number of hairdressing apprenticeships available, and James was selected by Stone Hairdressing primarily for his enthusiasm, ambition, personal presentation and desire to learn.
For James, an apprenticeship has proved to be the ideal way of starting a career. The fact that he can earn a wage while building the foundations for a long term future has given him exactly the start he hoped for. He is already working with salon clients, assisting with their hair colouring, straightening and blow drying, and eagerly looks forward to becoming involved with the key skill of cutting. The encouragement of his employers, plus the support of his college tutors is, he says, combining to develop both his skills and his self confidence.
He is already determined to progress to taking an Advanced Apprenticeship NVQ Level 3 when his current course is completed, and is eager to develop his career with Stone Hairdressing in the foreseeable future as a skilled and motivated member of the team. Both James and his employers appear to be winners all round.