Sassy salons thriving in the recession - andrew barton

It's been another busy week for Andrew Barton, who made a happy discovery about how hairdressing is handling the recession and began  a new role as the advocate for hairdressing apprenticeships on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce.

"I started the week with the L'Oréal Colour Trophy on Monday, which was a really nice night - although I couldn't stay and party into the small hours because I had an early start on Tuesday!

 "Events like that are great for catching up with peers and what was really nice was that, despite all the doom and gloom of the economic situation right now, our industry is one that isn't majorly affected.

"Hair keeps on growing and, while people might be putting aside their fashion buys, they are still looking after their hair - so good quality, sassy salons are not only surviving, but doing well. 

"There were two amazing shows from hairdressers who we don't often see live.

"Jason and India Miller have an amazing talent and beautiful creativity. They take hair from an abstract to a form without it being ugly or too obscure. Haringtons presented a theatrical hair concept that was fantastic to see.

"It was a really enjoyable evening, with great company and it was good to catch up, but the Barton keeps on working (!) and on Tuesday morning I was on a very early train to Leeds to do some work with the Chamber of Commerce.

"The government has set new targets to encourage companies to take more apprentices over the next three or four years rather than just students from Further Education and, as part of that scheme, I have become an advocate for hairdressing apprenticeships.

"It is interesting for us as an industry, because the route into a hairdressing career has traditionally been through apprenticeship. However, schools often encourage kids to go into FE rather than the world of work and it isn't right for everyone. 

"So many people come out of university with a huge debt and still have to start on a low salary and work their way up. The average stylist's salary can range from £15k-£50k so hairdressing doesn't have to be held in low esteem and it doesn't have to be low money.

"The Chamber of Commerce want to use me as an example of what can be achieved by going down the apprenticeship route and I am very flattered to be recognised by organisations outside the hair industry.

"It will involve some work speaking to employers to encourage them to take apprentices and some work speaking to careers officers to let them know a little more about the industry and the opportunities that it can present.

"For us at Saks, apprenticeships are how we have run out network for a long time. Many of our franchisees are hairdressers who started out as apprentices at the start of their careers so I am delighted to have the opportunity to share share this philosophy."