Hairdressing students from Solihull College & University Centre have reason to celebrate after progressing to the next level of their apprenticeships.
Students Charlotte Symonds, Olivia Jones, Olivia Lusty, Emily Holbeck and Eve Jenkinson have all been working in salons for 4 days a week alongside a day at Blossomfield Campus as part of their apprenticeship programme.
Olivia Jones, who has gained a distinction, worked at Artico in Shirley. “It was so useful” she states. “Learning for 2 years in a working salon I gained so much experience. In the salons we learned more about intensive cutting and in college we learned colouring and the basics of cutting.”
Her fellow apprentices worked across a number of local salons. Olivia Lusty worked at Artico in Solihull, Emily at Enzo Hair Salon in Dorridge, Eve at Pure Hair in Solihull and Charlotte at Urban Obsession. The students will now progress on to level 3 for a further year before they become qualified.
Olivia Lusty was equally happy with her experience so far. She comments: “We have found the apprenticeships great. Leigh-Anne was really supportive and always there. The staff could answer any queries we had and the whole experience has been amazing.”
For now, the students are more than happy in their salons. “I’d like to build my own client base and potentially own my own salon one day” Emily admits.
Charlotte adds: “I would really recommend our apprenticeship if you are interested in studying hairdressing. You get so much practical experience!”
A recent change from the apprenticeship framework to the new apprenticeship standard means the students are part of the new hair professional qualification. This qualification included an end point assessment at the end of their 2-year programme. The end point assessment consisted of showcasing colouring skills, creating a restyle and styling and dressing hair on different clients.
Apprenticeship Coordinator Leigh-Anne Wallis commented: “I am so proud of our apprentices and how they have grown. Their journey from interviewing them as school leavers to achieving these amazing results has been fantastic to be a part of. With the continuous support from their salons and the apprenticeship team they have worked so hard and are our first successful end point assessment hair professional apprentices.”
