Every day in his hairdressing salon, Scott Bailye sees the positive business benefits of a total commitment to attracting and nurturing apprentices.
He sees motivated apprentices enthusiastically learning, fulfilled senior staff teaching, and - the crucial measure of success – happy and satisfied customers. Scott understands how Apprenticeships can provide the opportunity for personal transformation; he started as one. He also appreciates that for his business to develop it needs a pipeline of professionally trained people continuously adding new levels of skills.
Scott said: “The apprentices are the lifeblood of the business and its future. Training prompts employers and employees to make a difference; this in turn makes a difference to the business. Staff retention levels improve when people are encouraged to develop their knowledge and skills and this keeps them motivated to do well.”
Making apprentices part of the team helps the whole team learn, added Scott, which raises not only the skills in the business but also its productivity.
Scott Bailye Hairdressing currently has two apprentices in the business – and has helped to train more than 50 apprentices since beginning its programme in 1996.
Scott Bailye works closely with North Warwickshire & Hinckley College to provide the training. Jacquelyn Shelton, Apprenticeship Development Adviser at the College, said: “Scott is totally committed to training. He has a driving passion for the industry which transfers to his apprentices to maximise their potential.” The salon’s education initiatives have included setting up and running a hairdressing training academy in a local school, giving students a path into hairdressing from 12 years old.
Scott said: “Apprentices not only bring in life experience, they help in the development of key staff through responsibility, motivation, commitment, flexibility, quality and improved customer service.”