Sandy Foster
Salon Savoy, Tawa, Wellington
When Sandy Foster purchased Salon Savoy 15 years ago it had just one part time stylist. Now the salon employs six qualified stylists, three apprentices, and has two Gateway students.
“I love watching apprentices grow and blossom to their full potential. That’s huge for me.”
“Offering apprenticeships provide an opportunity to give something back to the community I grew up in. It’s great supporting the local high school and providing opportunities for kids to join my team and gain experience in our industry. All my staff come from the area and so did I,” Sandy says.
Sandy has developed a structured training programme for her apprentices involving weekly one-on-one sessions as well as group training sessions. Sandy’s Floor Manager meets with each apprentice every morning to discuss their training goals for the day, and then assesses the apprentice to see if they have reached the required standard.
“All of my staff are trained and they all know the standard required and what my expectations are.”
“We put all the supports in place, but ultimately it’s up to the apprentice to achieve their goals. This approach builds the apprentice’s confidence and independence as a growing stylist.”
As part of motivating her apprentices to achieve their national qualification, Sandy reimburses polytech training costs once the apprentice successfully completes each year of work. In their last year of their training apprentices go onto a commission structure designed to help them build their client base.
Salon Savoy has a great retention rate, with only three staff leaving the salon in the last seven years – all three moved to Australia. Sandy puts this great retention rate down to a mixture of things, including offering training, being closely connected to, and supportive of her staff and the local community, and developing a strong salon culture based on clear communication and having fun.
“The support and the backup from HITO has improved greatly over the last five years. There’s amazing backup and support now. It makes the standard of what we do much better and makes it much easier for employers to support apprentices.”
“Offering apprenticeships provide an opportunity to give something back to the community I grew up in.”
