8TH FEB 2021
#NAW2021 Apprenticeship Case Study: Jasmine Whitaker, Apprentice Hairstylist at Colin John
Employer Training and Apprenticeships
To celebrate #NAW2021, we thought we’d throw it back to before the pandemic to share the success story of Jasmine Whitaker, Apprentice Hairstylist at Colin John based in Stow-on-the-Wold. Find out more here.
National Apprenticeship Week 2021
Gloucestershire College is a proud champion of apprenticeships. To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2021, we are showcasing success stories from our amazing apprentices and employers.
We love working with many incredible hair salons across Gloucestershire. It’s been a difficult time for salons over the last year, but we continue to teach our hairdressing apprentices online, and can’t wait to visit our employers and apprentices once again when their doors reopen.
To celebrate #NAW2021, we thought we’d throw it back to before the pandemic to share the success story of Jasmine Whitaker, Apprentice Hairstylist at Colin John based in Stow-on-the-Wold.
The picture shown above was taken before Covid and features Jasmine, Sarah Freeman - Director and Owner of Colin John, and Jill Churchfield - Hair Assessor and Trainer at Gloucestershire College.
Find out more about Jasmine’s experience as an apprentice hairstylist below.
Jasmine Whitaker, Apprentice Hairstylist at Colin John
Tell us about your apprenticeship experience?
I found my employer through the work experience I did when I was 15. I was offered a Saturday job and I carried on working at Colin John until they offered me an apprenticeship. I was super pleased!
The apprenticeship was brilliant as not only I was learning everything you need to learn about hairdressing, but also a lot of life skills like handling and earning money, how to engage and work with adults. I was surrounded by really lovely employees who were always happy to help with anything I needed. Being in a salon environment was overwhelming at first. As I started, it eased me in very slowly and now I am very comfortable in my working environment. I am progressing onto a level 3 Hairdressing Apprenticeship to expand my knowledge to a higher level.
Tell us about what your role as an apprentice involved?
Being an apprentice, you are very much relied upon to make sure the salon runs smoothly. Making sure the towels are dry, the hair is swept up and that the salon is presentable. As well as this, you are also learning a lot. I would watch the stylists with clients and picked up on what they are doing. I did a lot of shampooing and neutralising and reception work as well. I had a whole day per week to do training, which included online research and practical. This involved block work and model work.
Would you recommend doing an apprenticeship?
I would recommend this apprenticeship to anyone wanting to go into the hair industry as it is very hands-on and practical. I have found the best way to get better at this job is by coming out of my comfort zone, pushing myself and not being afraid to fail.
Apply to become an apprentice with Gloucestershire College
If Jasmine’s experience has inspired you to start a career in hair, you can apply for our Level 2 Hair Professional Apprenticeship programme online today. Click on the link below to apply online through our website or get in touch with our friendly apprenticeship team with any questions by emailing: apprenticeshipvacancies@gloscol.ac.uk
Apply online here: Hair Professional Apprenticeship – Level 2
Hire a Hair Apprentice for your business
If you’re an employer looking to recruit a Hair Apprentice for your business or upskill an existing member of staff through an apprenticeship, download the fact sheets below for more information, or contact our Business Hub team today via: business.hub@gloscol.ac.uk or 01452 563400.
