Lauren’s journey to becoming a Beauty Therapist
Meet 19-year-old Lauren. After considering her career options, Lauren re-entered education as a Beauty Therapy apprentice.
Lauren studies at Calderdale College one day a week and puts her knowledge into practice at The Beauty Bank salon in Mytholmroyd where she works the rest of the time.
Here, Lauren shares her journey into this creative industry. She said: “I’ve always liked the idea of being in the beauty industry, I think I’m quite creative and I really enjoy doing nails and nail art.
“I decided to do an apprenticeship over BTECs or full-time education as I like the idea of working alongside other people in the workplace and earning my own money.”
When studying an apprenticeship, apprentices spend 80 per cent of their time in the workplace and 20 per cent of their time in the classroom. For Lauren, it’s an opportunity to understand and learn how to do treatments that she will perform on clients.
“I’m finding the balance of coming to work at the salon and going to College good because it gives me the chance to sit and learn new skills,” Lauren adds.
“For example, lashes take two hours to complete and I don’t have time to learn how to do them in the salon as it’s very busy and we have clients coming in and out. Whereas at College I have the time to sit back and practice the treatments.”
Lauren’s manager, Rebecca, who has owned The Beauty Bank for 10 years, is passionate about giving young people the opportunity to train in hands-on industries through apprenticeships.
Rebecca says: “I take apprentices on purely because it does people good to be in a workplace and surrounded by what the job actually entails. It allows you to be shaped into what the industry needs.”
If you’re interested in studying an apprenticeship, or taking an apprentice on, please visit the website for more information www.www.calderdale.ac.uk/apprenticeships/
