100 in 100 campaign: Apprentices help the hairdressing industry to thrive again

Connor Mullaney, 19, has joined Haha Training in North End as a hairdressing apprentice.

The personal care industry has been one of the hardest hit by lockdowns throughout the pandemic, but talented young apprentices are helping the industry to bounce back.

Connor had to wait to start his journey into his new career due to the national lockdown, but he has hit the ground running in his first few weeks at the salon.

He said: ‘I could not wait to get started!

‘I was delighted when I found out I had been successful in applying for the role at Haha, especially as a young male in an industry which is dominated by females.

‘As part of my research I read a statistic that 83 per cent of people working in hairdressing are women.

‘The first three weeks have been a whirlwind but I have learnt so much already and loved every second of it.

‘The role is so varied, one minute I’m taking appointments and the next I’m talking to clients whilst preparing them for their stylist.

‘The best bit is the learning, both on and off the job. I am able to immediately apply what I learn in my apprenticeship lessons on the shop floor and this definitely helps it stick.’

Steve Churcher, owner director of Haha, couldn’t be happier that the doors are now open and feels Connor has a big role to play in his business’s future.

He said: ‘Haha offers training, in partnership with Portsmouth College, to salons and apprentices across Portsmouth and we are delighted to see not only all of our partner salons back open but our own salon finally being able to welcome our loyal customers back.

SEE ALSO: 100 in 100: Campaign launched to create 100 job opportunities in 100 days for young people in Portsmouth

‘I was blown away by Connor’s level of enthusiasm at his interview and this was supported by extensive research into the industry.

‘The standard of apprentices applying for roles currently is phenomenal. The team at Haha feel there is a bright future ahead for Connor and, who knows, he may even move on to teaching the next generation of Haha apprentices one day.’

Portsmouth College has established 19 hairdressing apprenticeships in the past month and forecasts a further 40 starts by the end of the academic year.

Vice principal Tom Lloyd feels there are now more opportunities than ever for young people from Portsmouth to build a career in their industry of choice.

He said: ‘When it comes to careers I am a massive believer in people doing something they love and what better time to do this than at the start of your journey.

‘Any young person considering a career in a particular field now has access to potential work experience placements, Kickstart initiatives, traineeships, apprenticeships and direct employment.

‘The wide range of government funding grants offered to businesses has really helped to put education and training at the heart of economic growth.

‘Portsmouth College is here to serve the training needs of the city and the 100 in 100 campaign collaboration, with our academic partners and Shaping Portsmouth has allowed us to enhance that offer to the young people of Portsmouth.

‘We are delighted to be part of such a successful initiative and I encourage any employer or young person looking to set up an apprenticeship to get in touch with the college directly.’

The 100 in 100 campaign was launched in February with the aim of securing 100 opportunities for young people in Portsmouth within 100 days.

Eight weeks after it was launched, it has smashed through that target with an incredible 104 places found in just 50 days. It now aims to reach 250 placements.

Could you join the companies that have already signed up? For more information, go to shapingportsmouth.co.uk or to register an interest, e-mail contactus@shapingportsmouth.co.uk

Here's our roll of honour so far:

Really B2B - marketing agency based at Lakeside, North Harbour

Portsmouth Diocese - Church of England area covering 139 parishes

STS Defence - technology and engineering business based in Gosport

Eaton Aerospace - aerospace company based in Bedhampton

Transalis - business solutions company based in Portsmouth

Portsmouth Water - utility company responsible for water supply and distribution

Morris Crocker - chartered accountants based in Havant

Highbury College - further education college in Cosham

Tax Assist - accountancy firm in Portsmouth

Yellow Strawberry - hairdressing salon in Hayling Island

*Apprenticeships via training provider Highbury College

South Western Railway – train operating company that runs services in south west London and southern counties of England and on the Isle of Wight

Aspire Bookkeeping - accountants in Fareham

Newgate Motor Services - a garage in Fareham

Intergrum Learning – IT consultants in Lee-on-the-Solent

Baker Newman - a building firm in Gosport

Jacobs Autos – a vehicle repair shop in Fareham

Solent Way Computers – a computer repair firm in Lee-on-the-Solent

British Heart Foundation – charity organisation

Arundel Aviaries - a pet shop in Portsmouth

CTECH Business Solutions – an IT firm in Lee-on-the-Solent

LW&T – an engineering business in Farlington

Fareham College IT Department

*Apprenticeships via training provider Fareham College

Bluebird Care - a care agency

Puddleduck Day Nursery - children's nursery in Milton

The John Doyle Partnership – accountants in Southsea

Highfield Professional Solutions - employment agency in Durley

Activ8 Minds - after-school programme in Emsworth

Portsmouth City Council - local authority

Perfect Skin Solutions

*Apprenticeships via training provider Portsmouth College

Castle Pre-School, Cosham

Jackson and Green - accountants, business and tax advisers in Cosham

Leon’s Bistro

Astute Technical Recruitment

*Apprenticeships via training provider HSDC

Stellas Voice - a charity

Partners

Solent Apprenticeship Hub

Hub manager Jodi Fair said: ‘We are thrilled to be playing a part in 100 in 100 and have confidence that this will be beneficial, not only to the individuals who are beginning their career journeys, but also the employers that will be introducing new, skilled employees into their workforce.’

Portsmouth City Council

Cabinet member for culture, leisure and economic development and deputy leader Steve Pitt said: ‘The 100 in 100 campaign is a great opportunity to celebrate the important work that is undertaken across the city and the positive steps it takes towards recovery. Collaboration between our incredible businesses and the skills providers who support them is a powerful tool for growth. As a council we are committed to raising aspirations and skills development. That's why we're supporting this campaign, the business growth and the entrepreneurial spirit Portsmouth is known for.’

Fareham College

College principal and CEO Andrew Kaye said: ‘We are delighted to be supporting this initiative encouraging employers to offer new and existing staff and young adults the opportunity to take their first step on to the career ladder, or progress further in their chosen career. Fareham College’s focus has always been to equip its learners with the knowledge, skills and experience to achieve their ambitions and we look forward to enabling as many people as possible to gain valuable industry experience to set them on the path of their chosen career, as well as aiding the local economy and assisting business recovery in the region.’

Highbury College, Portsmouth

Craig Mincher, commercial director, said: 'The 100 in 100 campaign comes at a crucial time for both individuals and businesses in Portsmouth. Highbury College are proud to play a part in a campaign that will offer such hope and tangible outcomes for both local employers and adults of the city.'

Havant and Southdowns College

Director for business growth and innovation Aaron Butson said: ‘Everything we do at HSDC is to realise the ambitions of our community and we fully support Shaping Portsmouth and partners in the 100 in 100 campaign. With everyone working together to realise this ambition, we will all have a tremendous impact supporting young people into work and supporting others in our community regain employment and upskilling opportunities.'

Portsmouth College

Vice principal Tom Lloyd said: ‘Portsmouth College is delighted to be able to play a role in the 100 in 100 campaign. Collaboration is critical during a crisis and this project is a fantastic example of employers, training providers and agencies from across the city coming together to promote opportunities and support local people back into employment.’

University of Portsmouth

Claire Middleton, degree apprenticeship manager, said: ‘100 in 100 is a great opportunity to highlight all the wonderful new apprentices and employers that we have in the city and to show the commitment they are making in the road to recovery post-Covid. Collaborating with partners is the best way to raise awareness of apprenticeships at all levels and show the diversity of courses, employers and apprentices that are available in our community.'

Shaping Portsmouth

Chief executive officer Stef Nienaltowski said: ‘Two years ago, we launched our Roadmap to a Career vision and this programme is yet another key part of that. No matter what your age, your career options should not be a hidden secret but something you can get access to and experience readily. This programme aims to give our people that opportunity and, whilst some of the placements are age-limited, some are not. Opportunity is for everyone and Shaping and our partners aim to make that happen with this and following programmes.'

Placement types

:: Apprenticeships – combine practical training in a job with study. As an apprentice you'll be an employee earning a wage and getting holiday pay. Work alongside experienced staff and gain job-specific skills.

:: Traineeships – a course with work experience that gets you ready for work or an apprenticeship. It can last from six weeks up to one year, though most traineeships last for less than six months. You can apply if you're eligible to work in England, unemployed and have little or no work experience.

:: T-level paid placements – new courses which follow GCSEs and are equivalent to three A-levels. These two-year courses, which launched in September 2020, have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so that the content meets the needs of industry and prepares students for work, further training or study. T-levels offer students a mixture of classroom learning and 'on-the-job' experience during an industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days).

:: Internships – a temporary position with an emphasis on on-the-job training rather than merely employment. Can be paid or unpaid.

:: Work experience (fewer than 70 hours) – enables young, unemployed people to volunteer for placements lasting between two and eight weeks.

:: Kickstarters – the government's Kickstart Scheme provides funding to create new job placements for 16 to 24-year-olds on Universal Credit who are at risk of long-term unemployment.