Date
26 May 2022
Name: Sarah Beard - Hairdressing Apprenticeship Alumni
Course Name: Hairdressing
Course Type: Apprenticeships
Image caption: NWSLC staff member Sarah Beard
Sarah Beard, now NWSLC Salon Team Leader, studied a Hairdressing apprenticeship with NWSLC for 2 years in 1989, previously known as the Youth Training Scheme. Sarah earned up to £29.50 per week from her employer in her first year, increasing to £39.50 in her final year.
Sarah visited college 1 day a week over the two years, spending the rest of the week at Jay’s Hair and Beauty on Tomkinson Road, Nuneaton.
‘I worked for the salon previously when I was 13 through work experience with my school, which led to a Saturday job. Once I had finished school at 16, I was then employed with them throughout the summer of 1989. I then started my apprenticeship at the salon in September, where they continued to teach me everything I know!’
‘When I was at the college I would be working on my theory, doing treatments on clients, and preparing for competitions. I remember it very clearly, we used to wear a pink and grey tunic as our uniform, it had a pink band around the waist. I loved it.’
‘One thing I did not miss was carrying my huge equipment bag across town for my college days and then back home again, we had no cases with wheels back then! But it had to be done, we would not dare forget our kit though!’
‘I chose to do an apprenticeship as at the time I wanted to be in the workplace, rather than being on a college course. I had a taste for working in the salon, so I wanted to carry on learning at Jay’s Hair and Beauty. I also had a great client base at the college, we had some lovely regulars that came in to get treatments done with us, it was always so busy.’
Sarah worked in various salons in Nuneaton following her apprenticeship, and at one point owned her own Salon. In 2012, having had two small children, Sarah decided to have a career break and focused on gaining her teaching and assessor qualifications. She then carried on working in salons for a couple more years before applying for her current role at NWSLC.
‘I am now the Salons Team Leader at NWSLC. I look after stock control, health and safety in the salons, equipment, and budgets. I also get to teach and assess some of the sessions, which I love!’
‘This role is the perfect role for me as I get to do a bit of everything, and I still get to be in the industry. Like throughout my apprenticeship, I get to interact with clients daily, but most importantly I am able to pass on the skills I have learnt to current students and apprentices to support their careers. It is great to be back, being here feels like home.’
‘If anyone is considering studying an apprenticeship, I would highly recommend it. You get a great education, valuable salon experience, and you get to earn an income.’
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