Alice’s hairdressing journey started at 16 years of age, when she moved to Auckland with a clear goal to pursue makeup and hairdressing. The opportunity of earning while learning was a key driver for her as she began her apprenticeship.

Since working at Ryder salon in Auckland, Alice has developed a passion for mastering balayage techniques as a form of creativity with colour. She has future aspirations to use her apprenticeship qualification and the skills she has learnt to become more involved in the fashion and editorial side of the industry.

Alice says her biggest inspiration throughout her apprenticeship journey is her younger self “5 years ago I would’ve never thought I’d be where I’m at now and I’m super proud of myself.”

“Advice I’d give to someone starting a HITO apprenticeship is to stay committed to the hard work, the payoff is rewarding”. Alice was one of the winners of the Northern Apprentice of the Year award 2024. “This award is a reflection of all the hard work I’ve put in since I started my apprenticeship and towards completing my HITO qualification.”

The appeal of a beauty therapy apprenticeship and what it offers was undeniable for Lucy, she loves the fact that you get hands-on experience in a clinic with real clients, and that you are learning on the job, all whilst being trained by qualified therapists. “I love the way with an apprenticeship, you are work-ready when you are qualified, as you have two years’ experience working and learning in a clinic”.

Lucy has a passion for brows, from regular brow tint and shape, to learning hybrid brows, she says, “being able to transform someone’s eyebrows and having them put their trust into me feels very rewarding.” Recently, she has been perfecting the relaxing experience and enjoying learning all things skin.

She continues to be inspired by her boss at FACE Body + Beauty Balclutha Annalysse, “the dedication she puts into her work and business is inspiring and while doing all that, she has put her time and effort into training me and giving me amazing opportunities to thrive to be the best”.

Lucy’s passion and work ethic was recognised when she was awarded the Southern Apprentice of the Year 2024. Her advice to apprentices is “always remind yourself that you are learning, and some things take time. It can be stressful and nerve-wrecking doing an apprenticeship, but I’ve found having goals and a plan ahead has been so helpful to ease the stress of juggling everything that is new to you.”.

Originally growing up in Vietnam, Kelvin moved to New Zealand when he was 15 to pursue new opportunities. “I decided to do a hairdressing apprenticeship because I wanted to do something meaningful every day and create a positive impact on the people surrounding me” says Kelvin.

In 2024, Kelvin was fortunate to attend Melbourne Fashion Festival as a session stylist. He was also recently announced as HITO’s Central Apprentice of the Year winner, a true testament to his diligence towards his craft. “Being a winner means all the hard work that I have put in so far has been recognised and I’m so grateful to be able to share both my life and my hairdressing journey to the wider community outside the salon.”

With a passion for going out of his comfort zone, Kelvin is eager to fulfil his professional goal of creating an editorial collection. “My aspiration is to represent both New Zealand, Vietnam and the Asian community in international hairdressing competitions and events such as New York Fashion Week.”

Over time, Shelly’s passion for beauty grew. However, “the struggle was once I started working, I could not see myself stopping to study and to end up with a student loan,” says Shelly.

Flashforward to when Shelly came across a Facebook ad from a beauty clinic looking for an apprentice – getting paid while learning was the magic combo Shelly was hoping for. “Upon signing up for the apprenticeship with HITO, I came across the most amazing support system, education and hands-on learning.”

Grateful for the people supporting her on her apprenticeship journey, Shelly entered The Industry Awards 2023 and HITO Apprentice of the Year in 2024 as a show of dedication. “I wanted my supporters to know that I am giving this my all and that the chances they have taken on me will not go to waste.”

Shelly is excited to continue her career in beauty therapy. “My main goal is to focus on my studies and gain as much knowledge as I can so I can help educate my clients in caring for their bodies and skin and become the best version of myself,” says Shelly. “It’s the joy it can bring to the clients that makes me love this industry.”

Sophie, who is based at Venom Salon in Invercargill, was presented with the title of HITO’s Southern Hairdressing Apprentice of the Year, at the Christchurch Graduation on November 3rd, 2024. She represented South Island at the Davines Pro World Wide hair tour in Berlin alongside completing her third and final year as an apprentice, and achieving 2024 top student prize in her SIT class 🥳🎊

“Winning HITO Apprentice of the Year is an incredible honour to me. It reflects my dedication to learning and my embodiment as a diligent apprentice, qualities that will always be a part of the stylist that I am” says Sophie.

Her amazing journey has since been featured in the Otago Daily Times, where she shares her passion for hairdressing and her inspiring commitment to the industry.

To read the full article, visit the Otago Daily Times: https://www.odt.co.nz/southland/southland-express/sharp-skills-earn-stylist-top-award