Success stories: Alanna Sutton, Hairdressing Full-Time Course

Alanna is currently completing her Hairdressing Full-Time Course through Skills Group, with a work placement at Skin Deep Hair – a successful and well-established Plympton salon. Alanna is doing brilliantly, and we caught up with her at the salon to find out more about the course and her placement.

“I originally wanted to go into Health and Social Care, but I started a Saturday job at Skin Deep Hair and loved it. I realised that hairdressing was what I wanted to do going forward, and I was lucky enough to be offered a work placement by the salon and started on the course with Skills Group.

“Due to COVID-19, I’ve been progressing with my course remotely; both my trainer and coordinator are very supportive and check in regularly on my progress. I’m looking forward to going into the Skills Group Training Academy for in-person training as soon as it is safe to do so.

“I’m really enjoying my work placement at Skin Deep Hair too. The team is very supportive and help me whenever I need it. My daily tasks include shampooing, answering the phone, and preparing the salon for clients. I’m building up my experience and confidence every day.

“In the future, I’d like to progress onto an apprenticeship with Skills Group and Skin Deep Hair and develop my hairdressing skills further. My advice to others thinking of starting a full-time course or apprenticeship would be to think about the size of the training provider that you want to join; I chose Skills Group as I liked the fact that it’s smaller than a college so it offers a more personal training experience.”

Well done Alanna on all your success!

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