“If anyone out there is thinking about doing an apprenticeship, my advice is to go for it!”
18-year-old Wiktoria Galysa, who lives in Priesthill in the south of Glasgow, tells us about her apprenticeship journey in hairdressing with Harpers Salon, in Barrhead.
A former pupil at St Paul’s High School in Pollok, Wiktoria never really enjoyed school, but always loved playing with hair and being creative.
When teacher Aileen McManus suggested that she sign up for the SCQF level 5 Skills for Work Hairdressing programme in S5, Wiktoria jumped at the chance.
Wiktoria’s apprenticeship journey
The level 5 hairdressing course included hands-on experience one day a week at Harpers Salon.
For Wiktoria, this was an absolute game-changer as it gave her the opportunity to not only learn the theory, but to put it all into practice in a real salon.
This inspired her to pursue a Hairdressing Modern Apprenticeship at SCQF level 6 with Harpers when leaving school, which she feels has many benefits.
Wiktoria said: “I could have chosen to study hairdressing at college, but I picked the Modern Apprenticeship as it provides much more practical experience on the job. Although there is a lot of theory to learn, such as how to work with different hair types, the apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to work on real hair, as opposed to the Sally heads used in college. So it’s a much more authentic experience for such a hands-on job.”
Gaining key skills
She thinks that the most valuable skill she has learned during her Hairdressing Modern Apprenticeship is communication, adding: “Communication is key, both with colleagues and with customers, to understand what the customer is looking for and to make sure that they are delighted with the end result.
“What I enjoy most about my apprenticeship at the salon is making people happy. Clients might come in feeling a bit low, but leave with a big smile on their face. I love seeing that positive transformation!
“If anyone out there is thinking of applying for an apprenticeship, just go for it!”
Employers reap the rewards of apprenticeships
Salon owner, and Wiktoria’s boss, Maxine McFarlane, said: “The Skills for Work programmes offered at schools are essential for Scotland’s youth, providing them with diverse career opportunities, and providing employers with a stronger future workforce.
“Wicktoria is now a vital commodity in our business and without the delivery of our Skills for Work partnership with St Paul’s, she may have slipped through the net. This would have been nothing short of a tragedy for both Harpers and the gem that is Wiktoria, and there must be many more like her out there.
“The hairdressing industry requires both technical and creative skills. Apprenticeships help bridge the gap between theoretical, knowledge and practical expertise, ensuring a workforce that is current with the latest trends.
“MAs also play a crucial role in the hairdressing industry ensuring a steady flow of skilled professionals who can meet the evolving demands of clients.”
Award nomination
Wiktoria has proved she’s a cut above the competition as she has been nominated for the Young Person of the Year at the All About Barrhead Awards.
She will achieve her Hairdressing Modern Apprenticeship qualification in July 2025 and is looking forward to continuing to work hard, with a dream of opening her own salon in the future.
Useful links
Find out more about apprenticeships at https://www.apprenticeships.scot/
Find out more about the range of qualifications now offered at schools, often in partnership with local employers and colleges, by reading our School Ambassador blogs.
Be inspired by our Modern Apprenticeship case studies.
