HAIR & BEAUTY SALON & APPRENTICE
BOTH COMMENDED AT NATIONAL AWARDS
Allen Matthews with his award |
Cutz Both Wayz has received a top accolade for its outstanding Apprenticeship scheme at the annual Apprenticeship Awards in London, organised by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS). The award recognises the salon's success in using apprentices to meet the needs of its business and the community it operates in.
The salon was Highly Commended in the Micro Employer of the Year category. Cutz Both Wayz, is a great template for how start-ups can utilise apprentices to help grow its business. Run by ex-apprentice, Allen Matthews, the business model is structured around his Apprenticeship training and business at the salon has grown by 25 per cent since its first apprentice qualified last summer.
Apprentice Luke Jennings was also recognised at the Awards ceremony. Luke, Highly Commended in the Young Apprentice of the Year category, threw himself into his Apprenticeship at Burlington New ID hair salon. Much to the delight of his employer, he worked across all areas of the salon and was an invaluable member of the team. His Young Apprenticeship has inspired him and having learnt from talented professionals, he wants to work towards becoming a successful stylist.
Allen Matthews who runs Cutz Both Wayz, said:
"It's amazing to be selected from all the apprentices nationwide to be a finalist at the National Apprenticeship Awards. The Awards reward and recognise apprentices and the businesses that employ them. I'm delighted to be representing all of the amazing apprentice employers across the country that are benefiting from the increased productivity and efficiencies that apprentices bring."
John Hayes, Minister for Further Education, Skills and Lifelong Learning, said: "Apprenticeships play a huge role in providing the skills we need to build an advanced economy. They help get young people into work and boost productivity and improve competitiveness.
"I am just about to take on an apprentice myself, so I know the benefits they can bring to the workplace. The Apprenticeship Awards recognise and celebrate these benefits as well as the hard work of individuals and the commitment of employers to invest in their workforce.? "For this Government, skills are a priority and apprenticeships are at the heart of our determination to produce a new generation of craftsmen capable of building a highly skilled, competitive economy."
Simon Waugh, Chief Executive of NAS, said:
"Apprenticeships make a positive contribution to businesses of all sizes and from all sectors and it's been great to celebrate this through the awards. I hope the success stories highlighted by the awards encourage many more organisations and individuals to find out more about Apprenticeships."
Sharon Allen, CEO of Skills for Care, sponsor of the Micro Employer of the Year Award category, said:
"We are delighted to congratulate the winners and finalists at the Apprenticeship Awards 2010. All the individuals and employers have worked incredibly hard to be here and it's great to be able to share their achievements and successes on this special evening.
"The adult social care sector is home to many thriving Apprenticeship employers and individuals and record numbers started an Apprenticeship in our sector last year. Our sector will need up to one million extra workers by 2025 which is why we feel it's important to get behind the Apprenticeship Awards to highlight the important contributions apprentices make to businesses and, in turn, the support businesses that employ apprentices provide through successful training programmes.
"Everyone involved with Apprenticeships is already a winner, but an event like the Awards provides an opportunity for us to celebrate the outstanding achievements of exceptional individuals and organisations."
The eight winners at the national awards ceremony, which took place in Westminster were: Cheshire's Todd Lowndes, who was named Young Apprentice of the Year; Superdrug star manager, Holly Manley, from Kent, who received the Apprentice of the Year accolade; Sunè Brunton, a food manufacturing apprentice from Merseyside; Rosy Apple Childcare, a nursery school in Preston; the RAF Museum in Cosford; Canterbury-based florist, Contemporary Flowers; City of Lincoln Council; and Cumbria-based energy-firm, Sellafield Ltd.
Other award sponsors include presenting sponsor, City & Guilds; Unilever UK, sponsor of Young Apprentice of the Year; EDI, sponsor of Apprentice of the Year; EAL (EMTA Awards Ltd), sponsor of Advanced Apprentice of the Year; BT, sponsor of Small Employer of the Year; NDA/Sellafield, sponsor of Medium Employer of the Year; and BAE Systems, sponsor of Large Employer of the Year; Cable & Wireless, sponsor of Macro Employer of the Year; Southampton Solent University, VIP reception sponsor; BPP, Finalist Awards Films sponsor.
The award winners enjoyed a reception and ceremony at the Park Plaza Hotel, Westminster. All of these winners have previously triumphed in regional heats.
More about the Apprenticeship Awards and the benefits of Apprenticeships can be found by visiting apprenticeships.org.uk or by calling 08000 150 600. |
