How can you help apprentices with education in a covid-19 world

Have you asked your apprentices what they want from education in a post-COVID-19 world? HJ has asked a number of apprentices to share their thoughts on the help and support they would like to receive from salon owners and educators in 2021 and beyond. As part of HJ's Apprentice Week we have asked apprentices to share their messages for the hairdressing industry for 2021 and what they would like to change about the way they study and learn moving forward.

What message do apprentices want to share with the hairdressing industry about education for a post-COVID-19 world

Jenna Owens, a trainee hairdresser at Medusa, Bread Street would like to encourage the hairdressing industry to continue sharing educational content in 2021. She says: "During lockdown I was able to still learn and practise by watching HJ Goes Live and HJ Upskills, Wella Professionals sessions and Medusa's online sessions. Sharing is caring. It showed how amazing hairdressing is and how creative and individual it is as an industry. I can’t wait to become  a stylist like those I’ve watched." Hannah Gayle, assistant at SANRIZZ, Brunswick is really excited for the transitional year from 2020 to 2021. "I'd like to develop and execute my skillset in a year that will stand for bold, daring and sassy looks. I’m excited to be at the front line when we reopen and are super busy again!" Similarly, Zoe Healy, apprentice at Idlewild Hairdressing can't wait to be making clients feel amazing again. She adds: "After such a tough year for everyone our industry has been missed by so many. We can't wait to be back creating beautiful hair for our clients. We are looking forward to seeing and creating new trends and techniques."

What can salon owners do to help apprentices?

Felicity Evans, salon assistant at SANRIZZ, St Albans is really positive about the help and support she's already received from the salon last year. She benefitted from being introduced to the training slowly and the opportunity to bring in models to demonstrate what she could do. In 2021, Felicity would like to step further outside her comfort zone by getting clients into the salon. She says: "That would be a great achievement for me this year." Morgan Bunyan, a second year apprentice at The Joseph's Experience would love the opportunity to bring  models into the salon once it reopens to broaden her skillset and to use the images to reach a wider audience. She adds: "I'd love the opportunity to shadow some of the big names within the industry to help progress her work." Katie Cook, an apprentice level 2 at B.E. Ironbridge suggests salon owners give apprentices a taste of the competition and session styling parts of the industry as well as the salon work. She says: "Training in the salon is the most important experience for apprentices. We’d also love to be shown more of the competition side to the industry, photo shoots and how to be featured in magazines as well."

What can educators do to help apprentices with education in a post-COVID-19 world

For Lucy Kitching, an apprentice hairdresser at Idlewild Hairdressing it's important to have one-to-one sessions following live demos. She explains: "As all training is online at the moment, it would be good to have one-on-one training to discuss what may not have been understood properly in the live demos. Also I'd love more information sheets to help with my theory knowledge." Enrica Russo, wardering assistant at Danilo Hair Boutique and studying at the Joshua Galvin Academy found 2020 to be a financially difficult year so she adds that she'd "love education courses to be a little more affordable in 2021". Trends-based learning is what Jacquie Smith,  a level 3 apprentice at B.E. Ironbridge, Stafford and Francesco Group Salon and Academy would love for educators to take on board this year. She says: "If educators teach new trends as well as the classic techniques, it would broaden our knowledge."

What would apprentices like to change about education in a COVID-19 world

Emily Morris, a salon assistant at HARE & BONE, Esher feels the current split of one-day training and four days in the salon is the perfect balance, however she believes the COVID-19 pandemic has shown there is some work that could continue to be done online. "Any work that can be done online rather than in a college setting would be useful such as health and safety or assessments." Emily would also love to track her progress on an app. As Emily explains: "The App could track of all our progress throughout our NVQ and could be used to store our theory and assessments." More support with learning how to interact with clients is Faye Clements suggestion who is a qualified level 2 apprentice and junior who works at Hazel & Haydn and studies at Francesco Group, Birmingham. She says: "I think we need more support on the process of interacting with clients and being able to ask questions and learn about the different salon situations that can happen." Give apprentices the opportunity to work with real models, says Eva Ryan, a part-time assistant at SANRIZZ, St Albans. She adds: "At SANRIZZ, St Albans we have a model evening planned for once a week once we return to the salon. This will allow us to practice our new skills as well as practice the customer service skills we learned during lockdown."