Leslie Treadaway
Abstraxt, Orewa, Auckland
Leslie Treadaway has owned Abstraxt Salon in Orewa for seven years, and within six months of starting out had signed up her first apprentice. Leslie currently employs one apprentice and has two former apprentices still working for her, both of whom are now qualified.
“There is a lack of skilled hairdressers around and the only way to get them is to grow them.”
“Because I train my own staff I don’t have to advertise for stylists. I am thinking of taking on another salon and am already talking to one of my girls who started as an apprentice about taking on a managerial role when it starts up,” says Leslie.
“I have clear expectations of what I want from my apprentices and so does HITO. The training works really well. It is consistent and planned and the apprentices know what they need to do to achieve.”
“I’ve never had a problem with any apprentice. They are committed to working hard and getting it right. I simply haven’t had those problems other employers talk about. I have always had really good staff.”
Leslie says that she is quite strict with her apprentices, but because her expectations are clear and the apprentices know what is expected, it is a ‘win-win’.
“Ever since owning Abstraxt I’ve held training on Tuesday nights. It’s important to get it right so sometimes I’ll hold two or three training sessions a week, especially prior to an assessment.”
“Apprenticeship training is all about learning all of the time. My girls don’t realise how much training is going on in the salon every day until they go to their off job training and talk to people who are at the providers full time. They come back more confident and focused on doing a great job in the salon,” she says.
“Clients appreciate the fact you are giving young local kids an opportunity to get ahead.”
“Clients really enjoy building a relationship with my apprentices and enjoy watching over their progress.”
