Check out this month’s HairBiz Magazine. Great story by MIG Director Anthony Gray on The Role of RTOs on page 46. Be creative. Have fun. Dare to be different.

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HAIR BIZ is the only magazine of its kind which offers a comprehensive look at both the business and image side of the hair industry. It provides salon owners with tools and information to be more successful and knowledgeable when it comes to business skills as well as keeping them informed with trend forecasts, interviews, profiles, news, reviews and product info.

For a salon to successfully train an apprentice, a strong working relationship with your Registered Training Organisation (RTO) is critical. Invariably, like all partnerships, there will be times when you need to work with your RTO to resolve issues that arise and without a strong understanding of exactly what the RTO’s responsibilities are this can be difficult.

Particularly, because apprenticeships can be complicated for all the parties involved and at times the priorities of each of the parties may appear to compete. Juggling the priorities of the apprentice, the needs of the salon combined with the requirements of the formal training package requires a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of all involved. So again, the best advice would be to get to know exactly what your RTO’s role is, so that you can work with them to achieve the best outcomes.

The first responsibility for an RTO on the apprenticeship journey is to work with the employer to ensure that all the right conditions and support are in place for each and every apprentice. This will include ensuring there are qualified hairdressers in place to supervise and mentor the apprentice. That the salon has the range of work the apprentice needs to undertake to cover all aspects of the Certificate III qualification and that any learning, literacy and numeracy needs of the apprentice are identified in order to put in place support where required.

Secondly, the RTO is responsible for the delivery of the formal training and assessment. The first step of this process is to negotiate and develop a training plan with the salon and your apprentice. As part of that training plan there will be so timeframes that you will need to work towards. Depending on which state you are based in this could three or four years for a fulltime apprentice. The training plan is the centre piece of the induction process which will also cover your options for delivery and assessment. Will your apprentice attend college? If so, how often? Will you opt for workplace delivery and what might that look like? This plan will be put in place along with a time-line for review. This initial planning phase will also cover things such as any training costs or obligations.

Thirdly, the RTO will manage progress. Most colleges will do this by providing your apprentice and yourself with a training record that records each unit of competency as it is completed as you work through the qualification. Along with the training plan the training plan the training record book will sits within the salon and shows that you’re regularly moving and completing your work in line with your timeline. It also provides evidence that can be provided to state training authorities to demonstrate apprenticeship progression. The RTO will regularly check that with you and then manage your apprentices training plan in unison with the training record to make sure that the progression is happening. An important responsibility of and RTO is to notify and work with you if the apprentice is not progressing to plan. in the areas of numeracy and literacy the RTO is the first port of call. Having conducted literacy and numeracy assessment sat the outset the RTO can identify any issues that require support and either provide additional learning support themselves or work with external specialist agencies to support every apprentice through their journey.

Finally, there is completion. When it comes time to complete your apprentice a completion agreement is signed by all parties. Only once the salon, the apprentice and RTO are in agreement on completion is a qualification issued. Once a qualification has been issued your apprentice can move on in their career as a fully qualified Hairdresser or Barber in industry. For many this a life changing outcome and the result of more than 3 years of blood, sweat and tears. An amazing outcome built on the critical partnership between the salon and the RTO. Knowing the role that your RTO plays in developing your emerging stylists provides the salon and the apprentice the very best chance to not only last the journey but to be part of an incredible training experience.

Chroma is the Greek word for colour and Chroma Hair Studio was inspired by a kaleidoscope view into colour and creating a client service-centric salon. Kim and her husband George Astro opened Chroma Hair Studio in November of 2009. The desire was two-fold: introduce a new salon to the West End community and create a place where knowledge could be passed on.

As both Kim and George have roots in the area, setting up shop in Highgate Hill in Brisbane inner city suburb was a natural choice. “The West End culture is a very positive experience in our lives. Our children grew up in the beautiful surroundings of the multicultural West End.

Chroma Hair Studio is a team of nine, caring, talented and inspired hairdressers who create amazing looks for their clients. The team consists of six stylists, two apprentices and a salon assistant. As the name suggests Chroma are the colour experts with a reputation for amazing balayage.

In the 11 years since its opening, Chroma has drawn a loyal following. The sense of community, which is available in droves in West End is what rests at Chroma’s core. It is a place without hierarchy, where team members respect and care for each other, thriving in the art of hair styling. “We love coming to work every day because it’s the best feeling in the world to see how confident and happy our clients are because they know they look beautiful.”

Kim Astro does not understand the concept of a dull day — the hair guru has owned salons since she was 19 and education has always played a critical role. Kim is a member of the L’Oreal Matrix Australian Design Team working to provide education and inspiration for hairdressers across Australia while also engaging in photo shoots, stage work, and entering hair competitions. As part of the L’Oreal Australian design team Kim educates in her signature balayage techniques – Selfie lights, Glam lights and Sassy lights across the country

“My goal is to inspire and empower others,” said Kim. “To continue spreading the love of education through the hairdressing world, be the best educator, boss and mum I can be while running a very successful business and having a bloody fun time on the journey.”

As the AHIA “Best In- Salon Training” award recipient and QLD State Salon of the year finalist in 2016, education is fundamental to Chroma Hair Studio’s DNA. The education philosophy starts at the very beginning with a tailored and specific recruitment process. The key ingredient being a quest for personality and passion. An apprentice or stylist with personality and passion is key. “If the person has those attributes then the extra training and skills are easy to teach.”

The team follows an innovative training approach which is tailored to the needs of each individual stylists. Each team member completes a training planner at the beginning of the year. The planner focuses on skills and each member undertakes a detailed self-assessment where they rate themselves across the range of skills, highlighting areas where they would like extra education and training. From this self-assessment Kim designs an individual training plan for each team member for the year.

In addition to the individual training plans structured weekly training ensures everyone is up to date on styles, trends, and helping clients find what they did not even know they needed. To support the in-salon training program Chroma Hair Designs have important partnerships in place. “MIG Training are our main training partners. They have been looking after our apprentices since 2010. Before that, we were using a different provider but getting very little training and communication. Since partnering with MIG, training future superstars has become a much simpler process”

MIG + In-Salon + tailored extra education is the approach to apprenticeship training and the secret to the success in Chroma developing their own. The training approach incorporates a workplace model of delivery where MIG mentor, support and assess in-salon. This approach has been successful for many years. In recent times this approach has also been adapted to include a component of traditional college delivery at MIG. As always Chroma are constantly looking for the edge in building the skills of the team.

The structured approach to internal training and working closely with education partners and suppliers is rounded off with an incredible connection to industry and external educators. Team Chroma connect with the very best in education and training by networking and attending all major industry events.

A culture of education, growth and connection has delivered on Chroma’s founding desire to create a place where knowledge could be passed on. Combined with a passion for the industry and an incredibly positive, caring approach to the way they treat people, Chroma has built a much-loved brand that is respected by all who cross their path.

Check out this month’s HairBiz Magazine.

Great story by Anthony Gray on boosting apprentice commencement funding on page 72 .

Also, check out MIG Training’s big win at the 2021 Australian Hair Industry Awards (AHIA) on page 33.

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HAIR BIZ is the only magazine of its kind which offers a comprehensive look at both the business and image side of the hair industry. It provides salon owners with tools and information to be more successful and knowledgeable when it comes to business skills as well as keeping them informed with trend forecasts, interviews, profiles, news, reviews and product info.

As Australia’s hair industry finally starts taking steps to reopen, rebuild and recover, Sunday 28 November saw the winners of the 2021 AHIA- Business categories announced on social media livestream as entrants watched on with anticipation. After an incredibly challenging 18 months and the disappointment of the cancelled awards gala event due to continued border uncertainty, it was time for these talented creatives to celebrate with their teams closer to home.