Hannah follows her dream

“KEEP going and follow your dream”, says apprentice hairdresser Hannah Owen, left, pictured with former apprentice and salon owner Katie Leak

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RUNNING until March 13, National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) celebrates apprenticeships and the positive impact they can have on individuals and their employers.

Hannah Owen’s school advised her to study for A-levels as they thought it would offer her more career choice.

But Hannah didn’t enjoy being stuck in the classroom, so after her exams she left the sixth form to pursue hairdressing, something she had always wanted to do.

She found Oldham College very helpful in helping her to complete her hairdressing apprentice training at Salon 7, the college’s own hair and beauty salon in Oldham town centre.

And afterwards, when she discovered that her own hairdresser, Katie Leak, was setting up her own business in Greenfield, she asked her about an apprenticeship. Hannah is now doing Hairdressing NVQ Level 3, and it’s going well.

Hannah (20) said: “I thought hairdressing meant working in a salon, but my tutors shared their experiences of working at various events and even on film sets, which I hadn’t realised was possible. Katie has also helped me to develop this interest by involving me in events such as fashion photo-shoots.”

These experiences inspired Hannah to expand her skills, so in September she is going to university to do a degree in Media Makeup with Special Effects.

Hannah said: “I’ve gone a bit of a long way round with my career but my advice for apprentices is to keep going and follow your dream. What really helped me is the college and Katie, who have both encouraged me to pursue my ambitions.

“Although my passion is still hair, I’m keen to learn more about make-up too.”

After studying Level 3 hairdressing at Oldham College in 2011 and being freelance for a while, Katie Leak set up her Hair by Me salon last year and recruited Hannah.

Katie has been Hannah’s hairdresser for several years so was delighted when she wanted to join her in the business. Katie was always impressed by Hannah’s passion and drive so as soon as she expressed an interest in becoming her apprentice, she didn’t consider anyone else.

Katie said: “Hannah is brilliant. She’s learned so much and it’s great to help her to develop her skills and shape her as a hairdresser.”

Katie really enjoys the progression of an apprentice, she says; seeing how they learn from others and then develop their own techniques.

She said: “I’m passionate to pass on what I have learned, and Hannah is obviously benefiting from that. A full-time course is completely different to working as an apprentice in a salon and there’s a lot more to it than people think.

“Gaining salon experience is important as you need to develop excellent people skills. Apprentices becomes the backbone of the salon with the support they provide.”

Even when Hannah goes to university she will still work for Katie part-time as a junior stylist, but Katie is keen to recruit another apprentice from Oldham College.