Growing your business with apprenticeships
Apprentice Jessica Jenkins with salon owner Gemma Kingston
Owner and founder of Salon Angels, Caerphilly, Gemma Kingston, values the Apprenticeship programme and how having an apprentice helps support the growth of her business in beauty and aesthetics.
Finding out more about apprenticeships, Gemma realised that there are mutual benefits to both her business and the learner.
“If I wanted the business to grow, I knew I needed help and employing an apprentice gave me that opportunity.” said Gemma.
Gemma currently has one apprentice working with her in the salon, Jessica Jenkins. Jess has completed her level 2 beauty therapy and is now progressing to level 3, which is delivered by Educ8 Training, based in Ystrad Mynach.
Jess has settled in well to the business and has been working at Salon Angels for two years. She has been quick to learn and understands the needs and the values of the business.
Transitioning clients with new staff can sometimes be difficult because they get comfortable with staff who they are familiar with, but Jess has been accepted as one of the Team.
Jess said “I started to do the apprenticeship because I struggled in the school environment, I was always better at hands on learning. Unlike school or college, with an apprenticeship you learn so many new skills whilst earning money.”
Jess uses her initiative and isn’t afraid to try something new which gives Gemma time to focus on other areas of the business.
Employing someone who already has a qualification isn’t necessarily an easier option because they may not work to the needs of the business.
Through their own training, Jess has developed further skills in a wide range of specialist services that they offer.
“Apprenticeships are great,” said Gemma “the apprentice can be moulded to your style and way of working and the employer can give them the support they need to progress their career.”
Gemma is now looking to recruit a second apprentice. She said that Apprenticeships enable her to grow her staff and receive support in a more affordable way.
Rhian Anstee Trainer Coach at Educ8 said: “Salon Angels can definitely see the benefits of the Apprenticeships programme and how it has helped them to expand their business.
“Salon owner Gemma has been able to provide apprentice Jess with extensive knowledge and training so that she is able to excel her skills within the business, which has encouraged growth. It is great to hear that she would like to eventually take on another apprentice and I look forward to supporting her with this.”
Apprenticeships provide the skilled workers that employers need for the future. Apprentices work alongside experienced employees to gain on the job skills, while getting outside training from an approved college or training provider. The employer covers their wages and Welsh Government offers support with some of the training costs.
As part of its ‘Genius Decision’ campaign, the Welsh Government says apprenticeships help individuals accelerate their career by providing the right experience and job-specific skill and help businesses recruit in a cost-effective way.
Grow your business with an apprentice. If you’d like to know more about recruiting an apprentice speak to our team.
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