Brian Leo McCallum from ROAR Hair and Beauty works one day per week at Glasgow Clyde college educating hairdressing students, and the ROAR apprentices have won the Scottish Hair and Beauty Award for Best Apprentice two years in a row now. As it’s National Apprentice Week, he discusses the importance of education with us.

‘Education is at the heart of our industry. It’s how we can continue to progress and bring new life into what we are doing as a collective. It’s how we can share our wisdom with others and ensure the progression from apprentice to hairdressers continues and we constantly up our game as an industry.

Apprenticeship Week

With apprenticeship week, it is the perfect time to reflect on the education you are offering and look at what more we could be doing. In 2021 during lockdown, I felt the urge to give back to the industry and do my bit to help others. I offered virtual colour education to the students at Glasgow Clyde College during lockdown. I shared my expertise on balayage, colouring tips and tricks and lots more. Following this, the college reached out and asked me to work with them on a longer-term basis. I now dedicate one day every week and visit the college to educate the team of students. Giving up my time like this is so rewarding and fulfilling and something I recommend if you can do so.

Programme

We also offer an apprenticeship programme that we are proud of at ROAR Hair and Beauty. For the past two years in a row, we have won the Best Apprentice at the Scottish Hair and Beauty. Our 2021 winner, Christie McAlpine has put together some tips for others in the same position as her or considering a hairdressing apprentice. Christie said:

Tips

1) My first tip would be to always ask for feedback. When you are working on something, find someone in the salon that inspires you. Ask them for feedback on what you’re doing and if you could do anything to improve that.

2) Always look around and observe everything daily. Even something small like watching how the guests in the salon are greeted through to watching how the foils are applied for different colour techniques. You can learn a lot from watching your team. This applies outside the salon too. Watch education videos on social media and take it all in.

3) Put yourself out there, even if it is out of your comfort zone. When I put myself forward for awards it is really daunting and scary. When I won the Best Apprentice of the Year award I was over the moon. It was such a shock but reminded me that hard work does pay off and it is important to push yourself out of your comfort zone.

4) My last tip would be to believe in yourself. With the right mindset and an a ‘can do’ attitude you can achieve anything you put your mind too. Hairdressing is such an amazing and rewarding career if you give it all you have!

At ROAR, we love learning. Whether you are a salon owner or an apprentice, you should always strive to learn something new and increase your skill set. What are your education goals for 2021?’ – Brian.

for more info on the brand, visit Roar Hair & Beauty here.