Partner Article

The Cutting Crew

A high profile hairdressers based in the heart of Sheffield’s city centre has launched a search for its next salon star, after successfully recruiting previous apprentices through a Government led scheme organised by the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership.

Laundry for Hair, based on Arundel Street in Sheffield, was opened in November 2013 by Mitchell Wilson and the popular boutique has already amassed an array of prestigious industry accolades. During its first year of trading Laundry secured the title of Best New Salon in the 2014 Creative Heads industry awards and was recently shortlisted as Best Newcomer in the National British Hairdressing Business Awards.

Facing the challenge of opening a new salon in the heart of the city, Mitchell quickly recognised that apprentices would need to play an essential role in the fledgling business and so called upon support from Skills Made Easy to assist with the recruitment, training and development.

To date, Laundry has recruited six apprentices through the Skills Made Easy scheme and as the first two candidates Chloe Denton and Laura Greenhalgh near the end of their training the salon is hoping to add more apprentices to its growing workforce.

Mitchell Wilson, co-owner of Laundry, said:

“For me, apprentices are the lifeblood of the business. It’s how I began my own career, and helps to give those with an interest in the industry a chance to gain valuable work experience as they work towards building their careers.

“Training is a vital part of apprenticeships. We work with our apprentices every step of the way and carefully keep them under our wing. At the end of their apprenticeship they will be a fully trained and skilled member of staff at the salon, capable of building their own client base and passing on the skills they develop to others.

“We’ve got big plans for the business and over the next few years we’re hoping to double the number of stylists working in the salon from 20 to 40 and we’re also planning to open an in-store coffee house, release a range of hair products and open a new salon in London.”

Laura Hayfield, Programme Manager at Skills Made Easy, said:

“Skills Made Easy offers practical help, advice and support to apprentices to small and medium sized businesses throughout the Sheffield City Region who are looking to grow and develop their workforce. With Laundry, we were able to help recruit six apprentices into the business and provide Mitchell with the correct materials to market, recruit and develop a training programme.

“The work undertaken by Skills Made Easy and the sourcing of apprentices and training programmes has helped Mitchell share his 20 years’ hairdressing experience with young people also passionate about the industry. Some of the apprentices are now valued members of staff and the salon’s plans to recruit additional apprentices reflects the value and important role they play within the business.”

Laundry hosts regular open days throughout the year. To book a place, please contact Pippa Proctor on 0114 229 6183 or email: skillsmadeeasy@sheffield.org.uk. Anyone interested in pursuing a career in hairdressing can also visit Laundry on Monday afternoons for more information about the salon, visit www.wearelaundry.co.uk

To find out more about how apprenticeships and workforce development could benefit your business, call the Skills Made Easy team today on 0114 229 6183, or visit the website at www.skillsmadeeasy.org.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Skills Made Easy .