Gabrielle Bundy-Cooke
Spectra, Palmerston North
Gabrielle Bundy-Cooke has owned Spectra in Palmerston North for 6 years. She has over 36 years experience in the hair industry including working as a tutor assessor and moderator. Gabrielle has 10 – 11 fully qualified staff and seven apprentices. She takes on two new apprentices every year as part of succession planning.
“I love what I do. I expect excellence. With the right support and training, excellence will happen.”
Gabrielle tells new apprentices “I’ll promise to get you qualifi ed in approximately four years, and you will also have a wage, be in employment with a future, and have no debt at the end of it.”
“Apprenticeships show that people have completed their journey and are committed to doing things properly. They have stuck at it and achieved. It’s all about commitment.”
“Young apprentices at Spectra get to know us and how we operate. They are impressionable and we can infl uence them so they understand what it means to work at our salon and give our clients great service.”
“I wish I had had the opportunity that young apprentices do today. One reason HITO qualifications are so valuable is that they are nationally and internationally recognised.”
Gabrielle likes working with apprentices straight out of school and puts through four Gateway students a year. Both of last year’s Gateway students are now employed and beginning their apprenticeships.
“I love having Gateway students. It is about shoulder tapping the best and brightest and getting them on my wavelength.”
“Without HITO, we wouldn’t have an industry. We wouldn’t be seen as professional. Without training, I don’t have a business. That is the bottom line.”
