Get the most from your training

Veronica Saunders,
Stephen Carey, London
"Always know your requirements before rushing into anything and make a list of what you need to do and hope to get out of the course. Make sure the course offers what you require and always choose industry-recognised ones. With regard to apprentices, you may be able to get help with finance on government-assisted schemes. Enquire at your local college about NVQ1 and NVQ2 courses, compile your own training programme and ensure you have a regular time to teach in-house as well. It’s essential to start with the basics leading to all aspects of hairdressing. Always ask questions and share your knowledge as we all learn from each other."

Clive Johnston,
Clive Alexander, Northern Ireland
"Staff are trained as a group together, which results in a strong, knowledgeable, bonded team. We’re backed up with excellent ongoing training both in salon and at the academy of our product company, Revlon Professional." Junior staff have weekly training classes for technical services, client care and services and the receptionist also attends all salon training. "As the first point of contact to the public for Clive Alexander, I feel it is vital that she also has a professional and knowledgeable approach so she can guide clients through any questions or queries they may have when booking their services," says Clive. "It is so important that your whole team have assigned knowledge, which will give your salon an ultimate professional and efficient image."

Errol Douglas,
London
"I have always made sure that my training programmes are manufactured for individuals. My aim is not to create mini Errol Douglases in the salon, but to work with each member of staff’s strengths and weaknesses and together come up with a programme that will ultimately benefit them. We do performance reviews at least every six months, enabling us to address any issues and look at ways of opening more doors for opportunities. We also often do in-house seminars and workshops so we can get the most from each other’s strengths. We have great incentive packages in the salon. Either individuals or groups come to award shows and photo shoots, or we give them shopping vouchers and meals for themselves and their partners."

Akin Konizi,
HOB, London
Head of education and international creative director Akin Konizi explains that "HOB salons will aim to identify the strengths of each member of staff and tailor their future in the company by nurturing these skills and providing the necessary training to facilitate an individual’s aims and objectives. We strengthen their weaknesses and constantly update them with trends and techniques so that clients only receive the best in hairdressing services and staff stay well educated." There are practical workshops, seminars and hands-on creative sessions. Hairdressing business guru Alan Austin-Smith offers motivational speaking days where receptionists, management and staff all benefit from sharing stories and learning from others’ experiences.