Employer Focus: Heavenly Scissors, Plympton

Heavenly Scissors is a welcoming and stylish salon situated in Plympton, offering hairdressing and barbering services. The salon first opened its doors 8 years ago and has a flourishing clientele made up of regulars who have been coming to the salon for years. Staffed by a team of talented stylists and headed by hairdressing expert Janine Streeter, clients enjoy a professional, personal and friendly service.

We had a chat with Janine – and met the salon’s gorgeous dog Chewie who is always on hand to greet clients– to find out more about how apprenticeships work for the business.

“We have employed numerous apprentices over the years and have experienced how they can benefit your business. For example, one of our current apprentices, Emma, is helping to grow the barbering side of the business through her qualification. At the moment, it is just me who is able to offer haircuts for men, however Emma is now beginning to take on new clients to offer a full barbering service such as shaves, beard trims and shaping.

“When we hire apprentices, we look for people who are motivated, positive and upbeat, and eager to learn. Our apprentices get involved in a huge range of tasks in the salon so no day is ever the same – from greeting clients to shampooing and blow drying. We work very closely with our apprentices, so they gain one-to-one training and learn from stylists who have been in the industry for years.

“We have found the Skills Group team to be helpful and they put forward apprentices who are a good standard to benefit the salon. We will definitely keep hiring apprentices in the future!”

I just wanted to say the biggest thank you to Vanessa, my trainer. You have made my journey so much easier, I don’t know what I would have done without you. You have been amazing and helped me to achieve my qualification. You’ve guided me through every step of the way, I really appreciate it, Vanessa, you have been my rock.

Katie Shorland, Level 2 Hairdressing

I always struggled in school as I wasn’t very academic, so knew learning on the job would be a better option for me. I would find it difficult to get up for 9am but now I wake up and look forward to my day. I wanted to try a hair apprenticeship as I’ve always been interested in hairdressing, and by the end of the first week, I already loved it!

Jaimee Benson, Level 2 Hairdressing

I have developed a range of new skills through work including the technical, industry skills required for the job, to personal development such as ensuring I am always on time. The biggest change since leaving school is adjusting to the independence you gain from earning a salary. My advice to anyone thinking of doing an apprenticeship would be find what you like doing, and go for it!

Will Birch, Level 2 Bricklaying

Since starting the apprenticeship, I’ve become far more confident. In a classroom, you only interact with your classmates, but through working you develop your people skills as you interact with customers on a daily basis. At school, you are closely monitored and parented, however I am now more independent and feel grown up

Sam Collard, Level 2 Light Vehicle and Maintenance Repair

The most important thing I’ve learnt since leaving school is that there are other routes to success than just academia. I failed my GCSEs, as I never suited the school environment. Now though, I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship as I’ve discovered I learn more through hands-on practice.

Ben Freeman, Level 2 Carpentry

I would just like to thank you and your team for all the amazing work they do, you have provided me with the most invaluable experience which has helped to pave the way of my future. The work you do for young people is incredible!

Luke Kowalski, Teaching Assistant and former apprentice at Sir Robert Gefferys School