Beauty Beneath

We recently caught up with Afshan Islam, the owner of Beauty Beneath Salon, a leading beauty salon based in Sheffield, to discuss their experience with Apprenticeships and their partnership with The Sheffield College, Apprenticeships+.

Why did you choose to work alongside The Sheffield College?

“I chose to work alongside The Sheffield College because I was a student there years ago, and I gained so much support from them,” Afshan shared. “In the first year of my business, I also worked with the business enterprise department at the college, which was a fantastic experience.”

What qualities do you look for when hiring an Apprentice?

“The qualities I look for in an Apprentice are a passion for learning and the ability to perform with artistic and creative flair,” she explained. “These traits are essential in the beauty industry to deliver high-quality services and grow as a professional.”

What are the benefits of hiring an Apprentice?

“For my business, hiring an Apprentice is a cost-effective way to grow the team,” she said. “The two-year commitment means we have plenty of time to develop them, and that continuity is great for the salon and the clients.”

What are the most important skills your Apprentice has developed?

“Our Apprentice has made significant progress in developing their interpersonal skills, including building confidence and communicating effectively with a wide range of people. These skills are just as important as their technical abilities.”

What advice would you give to an employer taking on their first Apprentice?

“My advice is to spend time with your Apprentice to develop their skills and understanding. This investment ensures they can become as successful as possible.”

How have you found working alongside The Sheffield College?

“Working with The Sheffield College has been amazing,” they enthused. “The college is very active and supportive in delivering in-depth training to students. I can confidently say that our success is their success.”

Beauty Beneath Salon’s partnership with The Sheffield College, Apprenticeships+ highlights how Apprenticeships can nurture talent and contribute to the success of small businesses.

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