Apprentice gives her local MP a trim

in

Withington MP, John Leech, had his hair cut by an apprentice from The Manchester College when he visited her at work in West Didsbury. The MP also met former apprentices from the College who work in the same salon.

John Leech visited the Macleod Bradley Hair Salon to meet seventeen-year-old Jade Campbell, an apprentice hairdresser, and Kelly Cook and Lois Ashbee, who have progressed from The Manchester College apprenticeship scheme to work as stylists.

Mr Leech talked to Jade, Kelly and Lois about an average day as an apprentice, what their training involved and the benefits of an apprenticeship. Jade demonstrated her skills by cutting the MP’s hair.

this scheme is giving them a real prospect of long-term employment

Mr Leech said: ‘It was great to see Jade getting the chance to learn new skills on the job. Meeting Lois and Kelly, who have progressed on to become stylists just shows that this scheme is giving them a real prospect of long-term employment in the hairdressing industry.’

Jade said ‘I am really enjoying the hairdressing apprenticeship; I am learning whilst I’m getting paid and gaining lots of hands-on experience!’

I am learning whilst I’m getting paid and gaining lots of hands-on experience

Helen Bradley, owner of Macleod Bradley Hair Salon, said: ‘The apprentices we have taken on from The Manchester College have been key to the smooth running of the salon business. The college has been supportive in recruiting and training suitable apprentices and it has been a good cost effective way of training staff to meet the values of the salon.’

The new coalition government is investing heavily in apprenticeship schemes, increasing annual funding of on-the-job training schemes by £222 million to reach £1.4 billion this year. Business Secretary Vince Cable has pledged to create 100,000 new apprenticeships across the country.

What next? Could you rise to the challenge as an apprentice? Find out more about The Manchester College apprenticeship scheme. Budding stylist? Find out more about courses in Hair and Beauty Therapy.