Are there more opportunities for an apprentice in a salon chain?

Two hairdressers discuss the opportunities for apprentices in salon chains vs a single salon

Yes

“We pride ourselves on offering first-class training in our salons and at our HOB Academy in Camden. One of the first things we do is sit down with every apprentice to find out what their ambitions are and why they want to be a hairdresser, before explaining the different avenues that are available to them. Once we understand their goals, we can tailor their training. When we first opened our academy in Camden over ten years ago our goal was to make sure our apprentices received a first-class education. We want them to be ready to service any client, so our apprenticeship programme ensures they get a mixture of practical training, theory and working in a reallife environment – all under the HOB umbrella. We have 17 salons around Essex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire so we can ensure the right salon for the right person. We also have a creative team who take part in shows, seminars and shoots which means our apprentices can see where their hairdressing career can take them.

Our apprentices enjoy spending time with people outside of their own social group, including different stylists who pass on their own advice. There is always someone to be inspired by. We have a dedicated team to make sure our apprentices are ready for the real world. This means our salon managers can focus on the business, while our apprentices flourish. I started my career with HOB and I believe being part of a larger group gave me experiences I wouldn’t have had in a smaller salon.”

JAKE UNGER, HEAD OF EDUCATION, HOB ACADEMY

No

“When it comes to apprentices, it is often believed that there are more opportunities for those working in a salon chain. In my opinion, this isn’t always the case. I believe that the success of an apprentice comes down to a few key points regardless of the size of the salon. A strong spirit with commitment and dedication from both the apprentice and the salon owner is key. Alongside that, structured training plans are important, but these can be factored into any size of salon. I also believe that a positive work environment makes a big difference. This can sometimes be more achievable in smaller salons.

At Alex Thaddeus Hairdressing we are passionate about immersing apprentices into the team and showing them all areas of the salon. We provide opportunities by giving a varied education, such as tailoring aspects to their individual goals.

I believe apprentices can thrive in a single salon environment because there is less competition, giving them the opportunity and confidence to shine. Within a salon chain there can be a number of apprentices at any one time and the opportunities may be diluted. As a salon owner, I love working closely with each apprentice and educating them from my perspective. In a salon chain, the owner/chain educator may not always be based in the same salon as the apprentice. In my opinion, there is nothing to stop an apprentice from one salon succeeding and having access to the same opportunities as an apprentice at a chain.”

ALEX THADDEUS, OWNER OF ALEX THADDEUS HAIRDRESSING