Michael van clarke:you can't learn hairdressing in a classroom

Apprenticeships are the way forward if the next generation of hairdressers is to bring genuine skill and creativity to the industry, believes Mayfair salon owner, Michael Van Clarke.

Michael, who is a regular winner at HJ's British Hairdressing Business Awards, does not believe college is the place to learn about hairdressing something he's extremely vocal about in this exclusive video.

"Unfortunately I would see college experience as a slight negative," he says. "I would fear how much I would need to undo; I would fear they had been led to believe they had valuable experience that they actually don't have."

There is no substitute for learning on the salon floor, says Michael. "You can't learn hairdressing from a blackboard in a classroom," he tells HJi editor Kate Woods.

"Apprenticeships are the way forward - where good people train the next generation."