You’re hired! Successful businesswoman passes on her experience of being an Apprentice.
Gill Collings, a successful businesswoman and hairdressing tutor at Riverside College began her career as an apprentice at Riverside College 28 years ago. After achieving her apprenticeship she went to work as a hairdresser in the Channel Islands for three years, where she also worked on the hair of the stars of various shows at the Opera House.
On her return, Gill opened her own salon, Universal Hair in Widnes and started teaching at Riverside College.
Gill is passing on her experience by teaching the hairdressing apprentices at Riverside College during their one day a week in College and also employing apprentices in her salon.
Gill said, “I realise how important apprenticeships are. As an employer they are valuable because they teach young people a great work ethic as well as the qualifications needed to work in their chosen field. Riverside College has always offered fantastic support to all of its apprentices to help them succeed. I originally chose to do an apprenticeship as the hands on approach suited me.”
Riverside College is celebrating National Apprenticeship Week with different events taking place throughout the week to highlight the benefits to employers and students of apprenticeships. The week kicks off on Monday, with an open evening in Centre Stage at the Kingsway Campus between 5.30 – 7.30pm for prospective employers and apprentices.
On Tuesday 7th February the college will be exhibiting at the apprenticeship event at the Health Business Park. This event is for employers to find out more information about employing an apprentice and the week will conclude with an awards ceremony on Thursday evening which will celebrate the successes of past and current Riverside College apprentices.
Jayne Smith, Head of Skills and Enterprise at Riverside College said – “It is great to have tutors like Gill at Riverside College who began their careers as apprentices, as they are brilliant role models and a great testament to the success of being able to work and achieve qualifications at the same time. They also understand from an employer’s perspective the benefits that apprenticeships can bring to a business including increased productivity, motivation and fresh ideas. We have a range of apprenticeships on offer at Riverside College, to get more information about the events during Apprenticeship Week or about the Apprenticeships on offer at Riverside call Angela Woodward on 01928 508 679”.
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