Vicky becomes a Graduate Stylist at Northwich

Vicky Salameh, at Wilsons in Northwich, has recently completed her Level 2 Apprenticeship in Hairdressing. As a result of this, she is now a Graduate Stylist and will be working towards her Level 3 Apprenticeship starting this September.

Vicky's daily dutes include greeting clients, cutting and styling hair, as well as helping out juniors and stylists. She also ensures that the salon is always presentable. Vicky started her Apprenticeship with Total People in June 2009 after completing work experience at Wilsons before leaving school at St Nicholas Catholic High School in Northwich.

Vicky's work experience at Wilsons helped her secure an Apprenticeship. "I literally came here straight from school. I did a week's worth of work experience here and it made me realise this is what I wanted to do. We didn't have the opportunity to be involved with anything to do with hairdressing in school, so the work experience was really valuable to me."

"My training began a month or two after I started. Most of my training is done in-house because my managers are qualified assessors, which means they can observe and assess me on-the-job. I attended the Total People Training Centre in Middlewich for one day a month over a 2 year period to study theory. I had a bit of research to do outside of work training, but nothing that took up too much of my time." Working towards my apprenticeship has been so beneficial to my role as it has given me the opportunity to make myself familiar with the salon, and communicating with people. The good thing about that is that you get the chance to mature. The training I receive in the salon is all current and relevant to every-day duties."

I've been lucky in terms of my Apprenticeship, as I've not really had any difficulties with my training, it took a year and a half, so I completed quite quick. I'm progressing onto my level 3 qualification soon, which I'm looking forward to, and after that I'm going to look at training in Barbering with Total People too. My apprenticeship has helped me so much in the workplace, I'm glad I chose this route over college as the way you get trained in a salon is up to date and I've now got the confidence required for the role.

Wilsons are the perfect employer – I get a lot of support. I work alongside other Apprentices who all feel the help they receive is invaluable too."

Zoe, salon manager of Wilsons Northwich said "I'm very proud of Vicky, and what she's achieved since she's been working with us. She's achieved alot in a short space of time because she's very driven. Apprenticeships overall are invaluable to our salon – without them, we wouldn't have the staff we have today. Learning daily on the job is important to get the skills that the business requires."

Audrey is climbing Kilimanjaro in September!

Initially set as a personal challenge, Audrey has made the decision to raise money for the East Cheshire Hospice.

Audrey says "Climbing Kilimanjiro is a personal challenge that I am undertaking in September this year. The trip is being totally funded by myself.

Many friends and family members have stated that they would like to sponsor me for this trip, if I chose to do it for a charity. I have chosen the East Cheshire Hospice, in memory of my late father, Bill Wilson, who passed away at the Hospice three years ago. This is my way of thanking them for the great support they gave to me and my family during that difficult time."

If you would like to sponsor Audrey and raise money for the cause, visit www.justgiving.com/audreykilimanjaro to donate online or speak to her personally.

Training with Total People has helped our business to grow!

Cheshire based hairdressing salon Wilson’s has acknowledged the role that training and development has had on the success on their business.

Proprietor Audrey Wilson owns two salons in Macclesfield and Northwich respectively and has always recognised that staff are her most important asset. She therefore continues to invest in developing them with the support of Total People.

Level of Support

Audrey has paid tribute to Total People’s Hairdressing Sector who, guided by Team Leader Tracey Barron, have provided support and helped to develop her staff which has significantly contributed to the growth of the business.

“I employ eighteen members of staff, eleven of whom are currently in learning with Total People,” says Audrey. “I have no doubt that a lot of the success I have had is down to the excellent support and guidance everyone has received.”

Staff Development

Total People have worked with Wilson’s to deliver Hairdressing, Management and Customer Service Apprenticeships and NVQ’s to staff for a number of years and the flexible approach is an aspect which works particularly well for the business.

“We employ a scheme where we take on people at a range of different levels,” says Audrey. “We work with them on an individual basis to identify their training requirements which is something that Total People has been pivotal in helping us to achieve.”

Recognition

Wilson’s were recently invited to attend Total People’s Training Awards at Crewe Hall in July where they were Highly Commended for their role in the training and development of staff, an honour which Audrey was extremely delighted with.

“To gain this recognition for the hard work we have put into our programme across our hair and beauty studios was fantastic and we will continue to focus on developing the skills and knowledge of staff in the foreseeable future.”

They have also received acknowledgement in local press for their ongoing commitment to training. Total People’s Joint Managing Director Nigel Hartley adds “I hope that our relationship with Wilson’s carries on and that the support we provide can enable Wilson’s to thrive and prosper in the future."

Congratulations Kendelle!

We’re delighted to introduce Kendelle to our team of stylists, after her successful completion of three years intensive training at Wilsons including many educational courses.

We would for love you to meet her!

Click here to see the Kendelle's special offer graduate prices which are not to be missed!