Modern Apprentice Spotlight - Kimberley Sturrock
Work-based training allows you to work towards a vocational qualification relevant to your employment, so you can learn while you earn and gain a recognised qualification. In this week’s blog, we meet a hairdressing Modern Apprentice who has successfully completed her apprenticeship.
Can you introduce yourself?
My name is Kimberley, from Perth, and I work in a local hairdresser. I have been working in this salon since I was a 14-year-old Saturday girl, and I am now a 21-year-old stylist.
Why did you decide to do a Modern Apprenticeship?
I decided to start my Modern Apprenticeship to gain my qualification in hairdressing and to build up my confidence and clientele.
Can you tell us a bit about who you work for?
I work for Clare Taylor in Clare M Hair and Beauty in the Old High Street in Perth. Clare is the owner and manager of the salon and also works as a senior stylist in the salon.
Completing an Apprenticeship and working full time can be difficult to juggle – can you describe any challenges you faced and how you managed to overcome them?
It is very difficult to try and juggle a full-time job whilst undergoing an apprenticeship too. I found it challenging trying to get up to Perth College UHI when I had online assessments to complete and also trying to get some training in and in-salon exams when I also had clients. When I had my event to complete at the end of the apprenticeship, it was difficult to try and get a date together - just more for the time factor. To overcome some of these problems, I just had to talk with Clare and my lecturer Heather to sort a plan of action to get me through my apprenticeship.
How did you find the style of teaching and the support you have received from your trainer, employer, and assessors?
My teaching I received from Clare and Heather, and all the girls at Clare M, was really good. They all understood what way I like to learn, which is through watching visually and learning that way. It really helped me to further my skills and get me further on in my apprenticeship.
Were there any standout/memorable moments from your Modern Apprenticeship?
One thing that I will always remember about my apprenticeship was having to postpone almost everything due to the lockdowns for four whole months at a time throughout both lockdowns. Heather and Clare kept in contact with me, and I tried to complete as much as I could. I will definitely never forget that time in my apprenticeship. I also really enjoyed creating my final look. I picked autumn for my theme which was very apt for the time of year, as it was September 2022. My client went for a lovely soft side bun look and I put potpourri in her hair to finish off the look. We went down to the local Inch and took pictures of my client’s autumnal look, and she had an autumnal outfit on too. I really enjoyed doing that.
Any other achievements you gained on your journey?
I feel my apprenticeship has really helped me as I have gained so much more confidence during my apprenticeship, through having more experience with different hair types and different clients.
How do you feel your apprenticeship will help you in your career progression? What are your career goals and plans?
I think my apprenticeship will help me in my career by pushing me to do more things within hairdressing. I would like to learn new skills - hair smoothening systems, more methods of hair extensions, etc. Sometime in the future my goal would be to move to a bigger city and possibly open up my own salon.
And finally, what advice would you give to anyone thinking about doing a Modern Apprenticeship with Perth College UHI?
Overall, I really enjoyed my Modern Apprenticeship, and I would recommend to anyone that would be interested in hairdressing to take the opportunity to enrol in the course and get yourself started in the hairdressing industry.
“Kimberley’s apprenticeship has given her confidence to progress within her workplace by building relationships with colleagues and clients. She’s been able to assist in expanding the salon’s business, clientele, and staff, while growing the business by running social media campaigns, promotions and completing stock takes. This shows a great understanding and gains a new skill set of finance and budgeting.
“By completing her apprenticeship, Kimberley has been able to show great skills by adapting to different situations both internally and externally. Skills and confidence have been developed with the possibility and aspiration to open her own business in the future -something not considered before her apprenticeship. Kimberley’s ambition is growling daily to further her skills and completely different courses that will compliment what she has already achieved.
“One of Kimberley’s main goals is to continue making her clients happy through service and finished product of their final hair. Kimberley’s passion for hairdressing is clear and the future is bright for her.”
Sarah-Jane Urquhart, National Training Programmes Manager at Perth College UHI
Are you an employer looking to recruit an apprentice to enhance your workplace? Perth College UHI offer apprenticeship programmes, work-based learning and employment upskilling.
If you’re a school leaver, parent, carer or employer - and would like to know more about the apprenticeship programmes on offer – you can find out more information here http://bit.ly/3bMrVNU
We offer qualifications in 🔸Construction 🔸 Automotive 🔸 Engineering 🔸 Business 🔸 Hospitality 🔸 Social Services and Healthcare 🔸Hairdressing
If you would like more information, or advice, get in touch with Sarah-Jane Urquhart Sarah-jane.urquhart.perth@uhi.ac.uk
