HJ VOICENOTES

OPEN Hairdressing Director John Phillips asks: why aren't salons more supported when it comes to training apprentices? 

JOHN PHILLIPS

“AN APPRENTICESHIP NOT ONLY IMPARTS THE SKILLS OF CUTTING AND COLOURING HAIR, BUT ALSO SERVES AS A HOLISTIC LEARNING EXPERIENCE, SHAPING INDIVIDUALS INTO PROFESSIONAL ADULTS

Nearly a decade ago, we established OPEN Hairdressing. Today, we have three salons in Hertfordshire and in January 2021, we introduced ‘Studio by OPEN’ – our own hairdressing academy. Over the years, we have crafted an education program with a high achievement rate as our apprentices transition from hairdressers-in-training to stylists on the floor. We are proud to say that we have 18 apprentices at the moment. But, we are concerned that hairdressing apprenticeships are starting to be overlooked in the current educational landscape, where students are obligated to stay in education until the age of 18, and often aren’t offered enough practical experience to equip them for employment.

While I acknowledge the merits of the college route, having personally trained in classic apprenticeships at salons like Vidal Sassoon and Mahogany, I firmly believe there is no better method. An apprenticeship not only imparts the skills of cutting and colouring hair, but also serves as a holistic learning experience, shaping individuals into professional adults. At OPEN, our learners spend a full day of their working week in a salon environment, taught on models selected by themselves, and overseen by our dedicated educators. This only increases over the course of their time with us, as students become more senior they receive up to four training days in our studio, followed by a period on the shop floor, before becoming fully-fledged stylists.

Despite some people's concerns about apprentices being exploited for ‘cheap labour’, most salons provide valuable apprenticeship programmes that deserve support. Whilst we could never operate without our apprentice students - they are the backbone of our business, one has to appreciate the role of the business itself in providing a learning environment.

Although I look forward to witnessing what the next generation will bring to hairdressing, I must admit to harbouring concerns for the future of the industry. Social media has undeniably played a pivotal role in elevating our profession, but it is imperative to ensure that the value of hands-on education is not overshadowed. The rich tradition of apprenticeships in salons continues to be an integral part in the evolving landscape of hairdressing education.