2008 Employer of the Year Small business (10 – 49 employees) - Arcana
Cayla Russell
Employer of the Year Small business
Employer – Arcana
Learning Provider – Milton Keynes College
We see employees working in a very busy hair salon
Debbie says “I started the salon in 2003, when I took over the salon there were five existing employees. Four and a half years later I have 34 employees, and we now have 7 apprentices working for us. We have a 96% retention rate, which we are very proud of. We know our industry average is to lose 20% a year but we are certainly bucking the trend. That’s why in fact we had to get our second salon, staff just weren’t leaving.” We see Debbie instructing the apprentices in the salon. “We have certainly developed a really good reputation for our training in Milton Keynes, and if that means that everyone starts raising the bar then that can only be good for the apprentices.”
Cayla is cutting and styling a clients hair.
Cayla says “I love training, I love doing extra courses, I’m at college now doing my level three. So I don’t thinkI’m ever going to be out of college because I’m always doing new things.”
Debbie says “Even in our company ethos we’ve written our company relies on training and qualifying is really only the beginning of your learning journey.”
Cayla says “It’s just got such a good atmosphere everyone’s really friendly. Everyone’s really keen to help you learn new things.”
Debbie is seen talking to a client at reception
Debbie says “This year we hit half a million pounds in turnover. When I purchased the salon it was running at around about 40 thousand pounds a year. So the growth has been phenomenal.” We see the staff working with their clients in the salon. “And I would honestly put the success down to the staff that we’re running through the salon. Their desire and passion to excel, and a lot of that comes from learning, if you don’t have new skills being formed you can’t grow and develop.”
Arcana, winner of the Small Employer of the Year Award at the Apprenticeship Awards 2008.