Apprentices the life blood of salon group shortlisted for national award
Andrew Price Salons’ senior stylist Kirsty Collett (left) with manager Rhys John, salon co-ordinator Anna Whiting-Whipps and apprentice Georgia Maher at the company’s Narberth salon.
The owner of a West Wales hairdressing salons group, who describes apprentices as the “life blood” of his business, has been shortlisted for a prestigious Apprentice of the Year award at the Apprenticeship Awards Cymru 2014.
Andrew Price Salons, which employs 115 staff at nine salons, including Cardigan, Carmarthen, Haverfordwest, Lampeter, Llanelli, Narberth and Swansea, is one of three finalists in the Medium Employer of the Year category.
The business will join 35 other finalists in 13 categories at the high profile awards ceremony at the Celtic Manor Resort, Newport on Friday, October 31. The awards are organised jointly by the Welsh Government and the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW).
Showcasing excellence in skills development in Wales by learners, employers and learning providers, the awards are sponsored by Pearson PLC with support from media partner, Media Wales.
The awards recognise employers who commit to developing their workforce through apprenticeships and other work-based learning programmes, which support employees during their training. They are also a great way to evaluate training and development, as well as a fantastic motivational factor for any workforce or learner.
The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
Andrew Price Salons has used the Apprenticeship Programme to meet the high standards demanded by the hairdressing industry since being established in Tenby 26 years ago.
“We have always wanted to have a reputation for providing a high quality service to all our clients at affordable prices and to be at the forefront of technological and artistic advancement,” said founder and proprietor, Andrew Price.
“Apprentices are the life blood of our business and, through the development of our Apprenticeship Programme, we are able to nurture the best talent in Welsh hairdressing,”
Over the past four years 88 per cent of apprentices have completed their Foundation Apprenticeship Programmes within the business and 66 per cent have moved on to the next level and undertaken an Apprenticeship.
Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James said: “Apprenticeships are one of the most practical and cost effective ways for a business to build a skilled workforce. An apprentice can learn the skills an employer needs to keep pace with developments in their industry and deliver the service customers demand.
“I am delighted that employers like Andrew Price Salons share the Welsh Government’s commitment to training our future workforce.”
More than 300 key stakeholders from the vocational education and training sector across Wales are expected to attend the high profile awards ceremony, where guests will dine out with chefs from the Welsh National Culinary Team.
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