Introducing hairdressing apprentice and future creative star, chloe pemberton

On day four of National Apprenticeship Week we meet another talented hairdressing apprentice – 18 year-old Chloe Pemberton from the Francesco Group Advanced Academy. What attracted you to hairdressing as a career? I have always had a love of hair; even as a child when I used to play with my mom's hair. Why did you choose the salon you work for? I chose to work for Francesco Group because it is a large, well-known hairdressing group within the Midlands. I wanted to work at the Advanced Academy as this is where the creative team are based and I have a keen interest in creative work.  I knew that undertaking my apprenticeship at the Academy would give me the best possible start in my career and I have been here since September 2012. Tell me about a typical day in your job? I assist our receptionist welcoming clients  into the salon, taking their coats and offering them refreshments.   Other than that, my day varies.  I could have a column of clients with services  ranging from cuts and colours on both European and Afro Caribbean clients.  Alternatively, I could be undertaking a bespoke training session focusing on improving my cutting techniques or refreshing on current trends.  I often get asked to assist the creative team on demonstrations, shoots and shows which is fantastic - this keeps me motivated and I know I am lucky to be in this position. What are the major lessons you have learnt so far in your apprenticeship? I have learnt that I need to accept constructive criticism and have more confidence in myself and my work to enable me to advance my skills and career. Why is an apprenticeship a great way to learn?   I personally think that doing an apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to be more hands-on and gain salon experience while training.  I feel that I have been given more opportunities working as an apprentice and I also have the benefit of earning money while I train. What do you enjoy most about your job? I have a passion for colour work as it gives me the chance to be creative. I also enjoy working with Afro Caribbean hair types as it is a skill that not everybody has and it has really increased my knowledge of hair.  Every head of hair is different and I now feel I have the techniques to cater for all hair types. Where would you like your career to go in the next few years? I would love to become a brilliant colourist and aspire to be like our creative colour director, Claire Chell, working more on shoots and shows with the creative team. What is your ultimate career ambition – and how will your apprenticeship help you get there?   Ultimately, my ambition would be to become a creative team member and become more involved with demonstrations and shows, and seeing images from our shoot displayed within the salons.  The apprenticeship has certainly given me the best start in my career by giving me the opportunity to work with some of the best hairdressers within the industry, experiencing creativity first hand.