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Lauren Quayle
Hair Professional Apprenticeship Level 2
2 years
Owner of The Locks Lounge Hairdressing Salon
As I was a Hairdressing Apprentice at Lancaster & Morecambe College over 10 years ago, when I opened my own salon I really wanted to help a young person to learn the skills of the industry and pass on my knowledge.
Lauren first joined Lancaster & Morecambe College over 10 years ago straight after school as a student on the Hair & Beauty Introduction Level 1 course, before progressing onto the Hairdressing Level 2 full time course. Following the Level 2 course she decided she wanted to do a Hairdressing Apprenticeship and started her career as a Hair Stylist working in local salons to build up her skills and experiences.
Lauren has come full circle in her industry and achieved her dream of opening her very own salon The Locks Lounge in Morecambe, and has just taken on her own Hairdressing Apprentice.
As I was a Hairdressing Apprentice at Lancaster & Morecambe College over 10 years ago, when I opened my own salon I really wanted to help a young person to learn the skills of the industry and pass on my knowledge. I really enjoyed working in the salons as an apprentice and learning new skills at the College.
Less than a month after opening The Locks Lounge, we spoke to Lauren to find out how she found hiring an apprentice, and how an apprentice can benefit her business.
I can definitley recommend the Apprenticeship scheme as it gives young people the time to come into the salon and work on their skills, meet new people and learn from other stylists, The benefit to the business is that while an Apprentice is earning an income and training, their role is crucial to the business in helping the stylists preparing toners, doing shampoos and helping getting units ready.
I prefered the apprenticeships to the full time course as I learnt so much more when I worked in the industry, as I was able to carry out the practical side of my course in busy hairdressing salons,
Lauren worked with the Employer Engagement team at College and says that the whole process of taking on an Apprentice was easy to manage with the help of the Employer Advisor staff, as they help to guide you through the whole process.
It's really easy to take on an Apprentice, the staff at College have been great and have helped me through the whole process. I actually had a lot of interest in my vacancy and so I definitely recomend working with the Employer Team at the College.
When asked about any advice Lauren would suggest to business owner's regarding taking on an Apprentice, she suggested,
I would suggest taking on a young person initially on a trial basis before you take anyone of full time, as not every apprentice is right for your business. Starting your own business is never easy, but I feel that I have come along way since my time at Lancaster & Morecambe College, and highly recommend opening your own salon, and hiring an Apprentice to anyone that is thinking about it!
YOUR TUTOR(S)
Try to achieve the best grades you can. As a qualified Carpenter or Joiner, you will have the opportunity to work anywhere in the world.
I love working with people of all ages and backgrounds and seeing them make progress and achieve their qualifications, sometimes in “small” ways, such as remembering how to do a written multiplication.
I would say come to College, study Beauty Therapy, be pampered, pamper clients, but be prepared to work hard for the qualifications to get far in the industry. It's a very rewarding career to go into, putting smiles on clients faces and giving them a new found confidence.
In my role as a course tutor I’m responsible for ensuring that my students develop in many areas, and not just Hairdressing. I like to encourage my students to improve their well-being as well as support them with their personal development and learning journey, to gain the knowledge to be successful within their course to achieve the qualifications they need to progress in the industry.
Come and join us here as LMC! You’ll gain new skills, use industry standard equipment, be taught by a dedicated team of specialists who are passionate about educating you to a higher skills level, so that you can gain an Apprenticeship or full time employment.
I really enjoy being part of the LMC Beauty Team and working within the department. Watching my students grow and develop their ideas and skillsets week on week is a really exciting part of my role, particularly when I can see them challenging themselves to get creative and try out new and different ideas.
ALUMNI
Neve Stokes
Thea Jones
Russell Walsh
Courtney Lambert
Izzy Salem
Emma Jones
