YOU’VE GOT YOUR APPRENTICE – THIS WILL HELP YOU KEEP THEM

Mar 8, 2024 | INDUSTRY NEWS

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YOU'VE GOT YOUR APPRENTICE – THIS WILL HELP YOU KEEP THEM

Three salon employers share what you need to ensure that once you have an apprentice, they’ll stay and they’ll flourish.

Brian MacMillan and the F&M Hairdressing team

Getting them in the door is hard enough, but keeping apprentices is a tough challenge too… and you might need to take a new approach. As part of National Careers Week and Scottish Apprenticeship Week, we’ve teamed up with The Industry – the CIC showcasing the brilliant opportunities for a life in hairdressing – to see what essentials tips this selection of Scottish salon employers are sharing.

Make them feel supported and part of the (salon) family

“There is a massive focus on mental health these days, and ensuring your team members are in the right head space and not riddled with anxiety over exams,” explains Philip Bell, creative director at Ishoka, Aberdeen. Philip meets with apprentices individually every Tuesday to discuss how they are doing in their work life, personal life and training programme. A personalised plan is then created for each apprentice that aims to resolve any personal or professional issues that may have been raised. He adds: “Team days out are also a great way to make them feel like part of the family. We love letting apprentices take part in any activities such as photoshoots or stage work at industry events and attending awards ceremonies – this gives your apprentices a great insight into what the future may hold for them.”

At F&M Hairdressing, co-founder Brian MacMillan makes sure that EVERYONE on the team spends time with the newbies to make them feel at home. “I am a firm believer that apprenticeships are more than just education; it’s about working together to achieve their goals,” he explains. “They are introduced to the wider team and will spend time with each of our senior team members in order to begin to build a relationship and feel settled in.”

Phillip Bell mentoring at Ishoka, Aberdeen

Jason and Josh Miller with Charlie Miller graduates

Show them what you have planned… and keep in touch

Managing continuous communication through briefings, mentorships, and regular meetings is essential to their personal and professional growth and stability, says Jason Miller, managing director at Charlie Miller salons in Edinburgh. “Each trainee follows our ‘Learning Timeline’ which begins in their first week and follows them throughout their career; this gives them and their manager clarity on their progress, sets expectations and ultimately, helps them develop their emotional intelligence.”

When an apprentice joins F&M Hairdressing, co-founder Brian MacMillan sits down with them to create an individual plan. “This allows us to work at a pace they are comfortable with and ensure they meet their goals in a timely but high standard manner,” he explains. “Once their programme has begun, we check in weekly then hold a quarterly session where we review the journey planner. Communication is vital, and monitoring progress at every opportunity is key.”

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APPRENTICES ARE A RARE BREED – THIS IS HOW YOU FIND THEM

You want to train tomorrow’s talent, but new blood is hard to find. Salon owners making it work for them share their seven secrets.

Brian MacMillan, Justin Mackland, Josh Miller

Brian MacMillan, F&M Hairdressing, Glasgow. Justin Mackland, Ishoka, Aberdeen. Josh Miller, Charlie Miller, Edinburgh

If you’re a salon employer, you know just how tough it is to entice apprentices into hairdressing and barbering, with apprenticeship starts at a scary low. So, just how can you attract the next generation? With National Careers Week and Scottish Apprenticeship Week hitting this week, we’ve teamed up with The Industry – the CIC showcasing the brilliant opportunities that careers in hairdressing can bring – to help you find those talents of tomorrow.

Speak to them where they live – on social media

“Before applying for an apprenticeship, Gen Z’s will likely scope a hairdressing business out first on. social media, so it’s more important than ever to be active and current and on as many platforms as possible,” explains Josh Miller, managing director at Charlie Miller salons in Edinburgh. “Social media is the shop window to reach young people and helps them immediately see who we are as a company, what we believe in and what career opportunities are available. We try to make it easy for someone who is interested to get in touch.”

Show off how much fun you’re having!

“We live in a world where everyone is on their phones, so by creating fun, effective content you will attract the up-and-coming into your salon,” says Justin Mackland, stylist at Ishoka in Aberdeen. “An industry that is not familiar is daunting, so ensure you really grab the essence of how amazing your team are and how fantastic the salon is.”

Get in with your local schools… and be approachable

“We’re aware that being a luxury salon can be intimidating to teens; getting out into schools and becoming familiar figures in the community can really help to bridge that. Making connections early on and being open and honest about what to expect has garnered lots of interest,” says Josh Miller. “We are building a strong presence in local schools, and currently have a relationship with DYW (Developing the Young Workforce) in Edinburgh & The Lothians. This enables us to talk directly to interested pupils about pathways into the industry.”

Phillip Bell, Ishoka, Aberdeen

Jenni Gibb, Charlie Miller, Edinburgh

Share the success stories – so potential recruits can see what’s possible

“We ensure that we shout about the success stories we pride ourselves on,” says Brian MacMillan of F&M Hairdressing in Glasgow. “It’s important for us to continue to showcase our offerings, the industry opportunities and the different paths available to attract a new generation of apprentices.”

Know what makes them tick… and support their journey

“As a mentor, ensuring your apprentices are up to date with where they are at with their training is essential,” says Philip Bell, creative director at Ishoka. “Spend time with your apprentices and find out what makes them tick in hairdressing.”

The next gen wants to know who they’re working for – be transparent

“These days, potential employees want to know about your values, who you are as a company, and what you stand for,” says Jenni Gibb, wellbeing & development manager at Charlie Miller salons. “They’re asking things like: “Is there a mental health policy? What is being done to reduce the carbon footprint? What’s the workplace wellbeing like?”

Not everyone learns the same – show you’re cool with that!

“We are currently training our management on neurodivergence awareness, to give as much support to our neurodivergent staff as possible,” says Jenni Gibb. “The emphasis is on ‘differences’ not ‘difficulties’. It may mean we need to change our approach when teaching, or that our employee may use out-of-the-box thinking when they learn. Coupled with this, we have an in-house mental health support team, who are available to all staff.”

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LEARN TO THINK DIFFERENTLY

Feeling overwhelmed? A new book will help you reconnect with life – and it’s been written with neurodiversity in mind.

‘How to Love and Be Loved – Tiny steps to connecting with love and life’ book cover

How to love and be loved book illustration

Ink drawing illustrations of Indigo Violet by Mikyla Limpkin

When it comes to offloading emotional distress, hairdressers are out there on the frontline, listening to the stories, dispatching compassion, sharing love and all for the price of a cut and blow-dry. Customer conversations can be emotionally exhausting and sometimes so painful that they leave you lost for words in the moment and stuck with sadness long after the customer has left your chair. Where do you park this pain? How do you stay afloat? Who nurtures your needs?

A new book, ‘How to Love and Be Loved’ is a step by step guide to re-connecting with life and rediscovering a love for life. “I have met so many people struggling with feelings of overwhelm and isolation,” says its author Mikyla Limpkin.” I want to help make their lives better. My lived experience led me to research so much that could help people, that I had to find a way to share the knowledge.”

‘How to Love and Be Loved’ was designed with neurodiversity in mind and follows guidelines from the British Dyslexia Association in its layout, font and page colour. Short chapters and sub-chapters make reading easier for anyone with concentration issues, whether as a result of ADHD, stress or depression, and the key messages are illustrated to help visual learners alongside lots of opportunities for hands-on learning. With an estimated 55 per cent of hairdressers having either been diagnosed with, or related to, a neurodiversity such as dyslexia, autism or ADHD, ‘How to Love and Be Loved’ is particularly relevant within our industry.

“I designed a book that is easy to read and could be scribbled in, where you could join a voyage of wellbeing, see the science behind various techniques, test them yourself and record what works for you,” says Mikyla.

Mikyla was determined to make the book beautiful and uplifting, which is where Indigo Violet came in. “She’s a character I drew in ink, who turned out to be quite cheeky and fun to be around.”

Every chapter begins with a drawing to illustrate the topic, often with a splash of humour. “Drawing Indigo Violet is quite entertaining for me – she’s a character who likes to live life to the full. If I’m ever feeling down, I think ‘now what would Indigo do?’ And I see her in my mind’s eye, leaping for joy, or getting some sky on her head, or getting into her body. I follow her lead and feel much better.”
‘How to Love and Be Loved – Tiny steps to connecting with love and life’ is published by The Company of Smiles Ltd, RRP £12.99. Available from all good bookshops and online at Amazon.

Ink drawing illustrations of Indigo Violet by Mikyla Limpkin

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SUPERLATIVE SUPERNOVAPRO

Promotion – Supernova PRO

Hair straightener, curling tong and wave wand – all in one tool. The new SupernovaPRO is a game-changer.

The SupernovaPRO is a world’s first – a heated styler incorporating a fully functioning straightening iron, curling tong and wave wand in one ultra-sleek hair tool, no attachments required. Use it to create defined waves, bouncy curls and straight hair, all while softening, smoothing and hydrating the hair. Honestly, it’s a game-changer. Let us talk you through it.

Retailing at £299, SupernovaPRO is exclusive to salons across the UK and Ireland. To become a stockist or purchase at the wholesale price of £199 plus VAT, visit supernovahairtools.com/pages/creativehead

Backstage at Fashion East A/W24

Firstly, this tool is professional standard (it was the tool of choice for the team at Fashion East A/W24), with a 9ft swivel cord and featuring a nifty patent-pending DoublePivot™ system that relieves pressure on the median nerve, reducing your risk of developing carpal tunnel syndrome (how cool is that?). Heat-up time is just 30 seconds, with variable heat modes of 165C, 185C and 205C, and it’s compact, lightweight and has universal voltage – your ultimate travel companion!

Now to the performance part. The straightening iron evenly maintains your chosen styling temperature from root to tip, with contoured, floating plates that allow for quick and snag-free styling on all hair types and lengths. The ceramic plates are infused with proprietary Trionic™ technology that restores and strengthens the protein structure of the hair, locking in moisture, adding shine and boosting elasticity.

The curling tong creates fast-forming, dramatic curls that stay locked in, with a unique tapered design that offers styling from 36mm width to 26mm width. Innovative safety features include a protective cool tip to hold the hair in place while you curl and a built-in safety stand so you can put the tong down safely during styling.

The wave wand helps you create modern, tousled waves, with a unique tapered design that means you can style all hair types. No wonder celebrity stylist Alex Foden calls it the “Tesla of hair tools”.

Retailing at £299, SupernovaPRO is exclusive to salons across the UK and Ireland. To become a stockist or purchase at the wholesale price of £199 plus VAT, visit supernovahairtools.com/pages/creativehead

Yolanda Cooper

The SupernovaPRO is the brainchild of Yolanda Cooper, whose Conscious Beauty Group is committed to sustainable, clean, conscious beauty. In the Supernova PRO this translates to an automatic safety cut-off after 45 minutes to conserve energy, while the patented SmartSwitch™ technology only switches on the heaters you need for styling – inner for straightening or outer for curls and waves. All external packaging has been uniquely designed in non-plastic alternatives and the brand also offers a recycling programme for end-of-life hair tools.

The SupernovaPRO is revolutionary. How could you have lived without it?

Retailing at £299, SupernovaPRO is exclusive to salons across the UK and Ireland. To become a stockist or purchase at the wholesale price of £199 plus VAT, visit supernovahairtools.com/pages/creativehead

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REVLON PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCE ITS VISIONARIES TEAM 2024

The names were revealed following an intense final.

Finalists for the programme gathered at the Westrow Academy to compete for a place on this year’s team. A year-long mentorship programme, directed by Revlon’s global ambassador, Mark Leeson, gives aspiring stylists the chance to supercharge their skill set. Opportunities include photo shoots, shows and demonstrations, as well as the chance to attend colour and cutting courses and social media workshops.

Judges Richard Darby from Mark Leeson, Emma Simmons from Salon 54, Steven Smart from Smart:EST 73 and Marney Lian from Gritt watched on as 18 finalists demonstrated their cutting and colouring skills in two heats. The day’s challenge was to recreate the photographic looks the finalists had submitted as part of their entry on the competition floor.

The Visionaries Team for 2024 is…

Sophie Cookson: Gray’s Salon, Leeds
Taylor Borthwick: Myka, Bathgate
Stephanie Dwyer: Teresa Weller Hair Art, Dorking
Hollie Varney: Salon Couture, Chatham

Commenting on the quality of the finalists, Mark Leeson said: “This was an awe-inspiring group of individuals. Calm under pressure but impressively creative, they came up with some seriously promising work. Being part of the Visionaries is an unmissable chance to push outside your comfort zone and experience things you’d never have believed were possible. I’m fired up for the year ahead. Our previous finalists have all gone on to flourish so let’s see what 2024 has in store for our next talented quartet.”

For their first assignment, the four Visionaries will be treated to a two-day colour and cutting course at the Revlon Academy in Leeds. “The Visionaries programme offers opportunities like no other. We have an incredible year lined up, all geared around giving this skilled team the tools, knowledge amd confidence to elevate their careers,” says Matt Horder, general manager of Revlon Professional UK & Ireland. “We’re excited to see this year’s lucky four absolutely shine!”

YOU'VE GOT YOUR APPRENTICE – THIS WILL HELP YOU KEEP THEM

Three salon employers share what you need to ensure that once you have an apprentice, they’ll stay and they’ll flourish.

Related

APPRENTICES ARE A RARE BREED – THIS IS HOW YOU FIND THEM

You want to train tomorrow’s talent, but new blood is hard to find. Salon owners making it work for them share their seven secrets.

Related

LEARN TO THINK DIFFERENTLY

Feeling overwhelmed? A new book will help you reconnect with life – and it’s been written with neurodiversity in mind.

Related

SUPERLATIVE SUPERNOVAPRO

Promotion – Supernova PRO

Hair straightener, curling tong and wave wand – all in one tool. The new SupernovaPRO is a game-changer.

Related

REVLON PROFESSIONAL ANNOUNCE ITS VISIONARIES TEAM 2024

The names were revealed following an intense final.

Related

Feeling overwhelmed? A new book will help you reconnect with life – and it’s been written with neurodiversity in mind.

Hair straightener, curling tong and wave wand – all in one tool. The new SupernovaPRO is a game-changer.