Kleek at 25: Excelling at Educating The Next Generation!

KLEEK AT 25: TEGAN CHAPMAN AT KLEEK ACADEMY, DARLINGTON

Getting Started

“When I started my apprenticeship, I felt really privileged to work for a high-end salon with great training attached, and the best bit about it was that I was getting paid to learn. I started as an apprentice when I was 16 years old with Saks Education and qualified at Level 2 within Saks Darlington by the age of 18. This allowed me to progress onto my Level 3 in a new salon at Saks Newcastle.  This is where I learnt the most as a Junior Stylist and found my own creative way with my Level 3. Once fully qualified, I wanted to support the apprentices in the same way I had been via in-salon training so I quickly became a trainer in the salon. I also progressed onto a colour specialist degree with L’Oreal which extended my educational competency with advanced colour process knowledge.

Becoming an Educator

All my educators were inspiring, which I think makes learning the best it can be. This inspired me to pursue a career in education. On completion of my colour specialist degree, I became a Salon Colour Specialist and took on all aspects of creative and corrective work. I then moved closer to home at Saks Bishop Auckland. I was at the salon for 2 years whilst also helping to train the future generation in-salon. I enrolled onto a Certificate in Education (CertEd) to allow me to follow my dreams of becoming an educator. I secured an educator position within the Saks Academy Darlington, now Kleek Academy Darlington, as an educator whilst completing my degree. I worked for 8 years training future hairdressers through private training courses known as Fast Track hair courses. Many of my students are now employers who we work with. I then moved across to Saks Education, now Kleek Apprenticeships to become a work-based educator, covering the North and West Yorkshire areas, supporting learners in their own salon environments to complete Level 2 and Level 3 Hairdressing, Level 2 Barbering and functional skills also.

Career Development

After 18 years of working in some way shape or form for Saks and never doing any other type of job, I left for a career break for 5 years. But I must say I did miss it! And I was welcomed back into the fold very quickly – ‘you can take the girl out of hairdressing but once you have the skills and passion, it really never leaves you!’ I am now back as Senior Academy Manager at Kleek Academy Darlington. I consider it a privilege to be able to apply my years of knowledge and experience once again. I was asked recently how many apprentices I’ve helped train. It’s hundreds literally! I reckon I have hit the 500 mark now - whether that’s through my in-salon training time, when I taught private courses or as a work-based educator.  

Key to success

The key to a successful apprenticeship is to enjoy it! As you will never get the opportunity to retake that apprenticeship, so learn from your team, ask questions, and shadow them as much as you can.  It’s the best way to learn and never forget, that the theory is worth it, as knowledge is power! Creative flair and having an adaptable and approachable manner are essential for hairdressers but it also helps to enjoy social media!  As a great social media presence is key – to building your portfolio and showcasing your salon and your work, and to attracting new and existing customers.”