Employer Focus: Yoke the Salon

“We are so proud to have built up a strong and happy team, all of which have worked their way up from doing an apprenticeship. We have a fantastic group of apprentices because we have invested in them, we train them, we nurture them and in return we have happy staff that want to do well.”

Erin, Senior Stylist at Yoke Hair Salon, talks about how beneficial apprentices are.

“The apprentices are the backbone of our business. We are an incredibly busy salon and we wouldn’t be able to work as efficiently as we do without them.

“We see the apprentices as the next generation of Hair Stylists. We will always offer our apprentices the opportunity to stay with us after they’re qualified, we’ve invested in them, we’ve trained them to be the very best and we know them as individuals. By the time they’ve finished their qualifications they will already be an integral part of the team so it makes sense to keep them

“Yoke have a passion for hair, we want to be the very best and are always looking to adopt new and creative ideas within the salon and within the wider hair industry. We like to give all our staff extra opportunities and often send them up to London to take part in masterclasses with big brands such as L’Oréal and GHD. This not only gives our apprentices amazing opportunities and widens their horizons and knowledge within the industry, but it’s also great for the business too.

“We invest heavily into our staff, we provide training, guest artists come in and do masterclasses and we do incentives too. We really want our staff to be happy, to be motivated and encourage morale and that’s why our retention levels for staff are so high. The apprentices are treated no differently, they get all the same opportunities as our Stylists which helps them to feel a part of the team.

“By investing in our apprentices, we create happy, highly skilled and loyal staff who then go on to become assets to the business.”

Pictured left to right: Hope, Apprentice, Erin, Senior Stylist, Emily and Nina, Apprentices.

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