Student Stories… “just a few Andrew Price Academy success stories”

I joined the group after leaving school and have worked my way up to Master Designer. Having got so much from studying and working within the group, I wanted to give something back. I achieved my NVQ Level 3, and decided that I would like to be an Assessor so that I could help other students to gain the qualifications they need to get the most out of their career.

Now I get great satisfaction from my clients, but also from the students that I assess. The Academy is a fantastic place to learn, I enjoyed it and now I love helping others to enjoy their education too.

My Training has been so important to my success and I encourage all my staff to achieve NVQ level 3. It developed my theoretical and practical skills to a huge degree, learned about every aspect of running a salon, from the basics of good customer service to colouring and styling.

This was followed by achieving NVQ Level 3 and Diploma Level 3 to become a Master Designer and in April 2008 I took over my own Andrew Price Salon in Lampeter where I now manage all aspects of the business, influence strategy and policy across the group and still work a busy column.

Studying at the Academy and by working hard in the salon I have developed my skills and opportunities. I’ve already achieved my NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing and am nearing completion of my Level 3 ahead of target (in two years).

I have developed my own client base of regulars as a colour technician and have demonstrated my skill at putting up long hair, a service which I am now providing at the salon. I’ve also been highly commended in the Apprentice of the Year competition for 2 years running for Fashion Cuts and Colour as well as modelled hair for a magazine, which has sparked my interest in joining the Artistic Team.

My employer sees me as a strong team worker and someone who supports colleagues, which has lead to me being given the role as mentor at the salon. My next goal is to become an assessor for the company.

When I joined the company, I was already qualified. I had my NVQ Level 2 in hairdressing and was happy with my job. It was only after spending sometime in the group that I realised I wanted more.

The standards are so high that I knew I wanted to improve and be the best that I could. I quickly decided to take my NVQ Level 3. I have always loved colour work, so I was thrilled when I was also given the opportunity to get my Master Colour Specialist Certificate.

The Andrew Price Academy has allowed me to continue to grow at every step of my career. It has shown me, that hairdressing is not just a job! I was more than delighted when I was also asked if i would like to become an Assessor, because it gave me the chance to help other people, and show them that hairdressing is a career.

I had previously worked in two different salons, and was working towards my NVQ Level 2. I wasn't happy and was thinking about a change in career, when I heard about The Andrew Price Academy. I applied to work in the Swansea Salon and luckily was offered a job as a colour technician. I started attending The Academy and after some initial re-training, quickly completed my NVQ Level 2.

I suddenly started loving my job again and couldn't wait to start working towards my NVQ Level 3. I have now almost completed it, and can't believe that if it hadn't been for The Andrew Price Academy, I could have left hairdressing for good.

I would recommend anyone in the industry, or thinking of becoming a hairdresser to try it. It has worked wonders for me. I have even managed to get a place on the Artistic Team and absolutely love doing the shows and fashion shoots, something I never thought I would get the chance to do, until I found The Andrew Price Academy.