Saks Apprenticeships A Cut Above With Double Ofsted Outstanding

DARLINGTON, U.K. - Dec. 8, 2021 - PRLog -- Saks Apprenticeships is a national provider to independent hairdressers across the UK. Providing in salon apprentice training across the country and also inhouse via its Saks academies located in Darlington and Maidstone.

Ofsted awarded the training provider a full suite of grade one ratings during its most recent inspection, continuing the theme from its last inspection 15 years ago.

The company offers level 2 and level 3 apprenticeships in hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy at over 600 prestigious salons throughout the UK. The Ofsted report noted that apprentices demonstrate highly professional behaviours and attitudes to their work which are embedded in the curriculum and set a clear standard for apprentices to follow.

The report added that Saks Apprenticeships' programmes enable learners to prepare well for working and help them to develop a passion for hairdressing and beauty therapy through their work in prestigious salons. Apprentices also benefit from a range of professional training that is additional to the main programme, so they become highly valued employees.

Managing Director Tina Ockerby explained: "When the company was founded over 20 years ago, I had high hopes it would transform the nature of training for hairdressing and barbering careers, and here we are with this double accolade from Ofsted. It's a real credit to our apprentices and educators – and of course the salons across the UK who support their learners so wholeheartedly.

"There is currently a national shortage of stylists so enrolling an apprentice is the perfect way for a salon to gain a very enthusiastic extra pair of hands, and share their skills creating home grown talent to meet their own standards."

The Ofsted report also recognised how, during the pandemic, Saks Apprenticeships came into their own after the closure of salons during the initial lockdown, with the provider immediately sending hairdressing and beauty equipment to learners. A Facebook forum and Zoom sessions were used to schedule demonstrations and lessons, setting daily tasks for apprentices and encouraging them to post their work.

Tina Ockerby added: "We knew we had to make a huge effort when the coronavirus struck to avoid losing our apprentices to lockdown. Our team and the employers all went above and beyond the requirements of the apprenticeship standard and a remote learning survey of apprentices gave us an excellent rating of 4.5 out of 5. It's not just about delivering the programme – here we do everything to an exceptional level with fastidious attention to detail and support 24/7 through the whole network. That's why we're the best UK educator in this sector."

https://www.saksapprenticeships.co.uk/