Case Study: Hairdressing
Allison Stones Hairdressing is helping one young learner cut it in the world of hairdressing by employing her as an apprentice.
Sofia Rustico is currently working towards an NVQ Level 2 in Hairdressing at the ladies salon in the Dolphin Centre, Darlington, whilst attending Darlington College one day per week.
Sofia says she chose an apprenticeship over a full-time course as she couldn’t wait to get into a real salon. ‘I love the everyday experiences of speaking to clients, suggesting new styles and getting to work on washing, cutting and blow drying. But I do think that going to college and studying about hair is just as important as doing someones hair, to make a good hairdresser you have to know the theory behind it’.
Salon Manager Allison Stones says that for Sofia an apprenticeship is giving her a fast track career in hairdressing. ‘She is progressing to more advanced work in a shorter space of time due to the training and techniques she is learning at Darlington College. As we are only a small team, it is very rewarding seeing her turn into a talented stylist’.
Darlington College also offers lots of additional part-time hair and beauty related courses that are needed in the industry and Sofia finds time to fit in additional studies, working towards an NVQ Level 3 in Beauty Therapy.
Allison believes that, ‘All of her training and qualifications will come in very useful for when she secures her dream job of working on a cruise liner’.
