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)
My favourite part of working at Lancaster & Morecambe college is watching students progress and supporting them with their learning. I also love knowing they are learning within a hairdressing environment and being able to see them develop their skills and knowledge in hairdressing.
My favourite part of my role is being able to recall my industry knowledge and then passing it onto my students. The knowledge I have from working in the industry gives the students a better understanding of real life situations and how to transfer their skills into future careers.
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.
If you want the opportunity to use and develop practical skills, learn about an accessible vocational area, have fun, work hard and deal with the public then this is the course for you. LMC is a great community asset and I think the local district are lucky to have such a modern, flexible and engaging place of education.
No two days are the same when working in the Animal unit. I love looking after all the animals, and there is such a community feel around the College, like we are one family.
My favourite aspect of my role is seeing learners who struggle to believe in themselves when they first begin their journey at LMC, but eventually realise that they are very capable. It is a lightbulb moment when they realise they can be or do anything they want to. Learners walk through our gates unsure of themselves and sometimes struggle to believe in their abilities, but by the end of their journey they walk out of LMC confident and ready to take on the world.
ALUMNI
Lauren Quayle
Thea Jones
Courtney Lambert
Izzy Salem
Emma Jones
Stacy Menae
