William Charles Hair and the power of apprentices

Located on Tenterden's bustling high street in Kent, William Charles Hair has been providing exceptional hairdressing services since 2006. The salon has built a loyal clientele and a dedicated staff that actively embraces and celebrates the value of apprentices.

We sat down with Rona Barradell, Co-Owner of William Charles Hair, to learn how they run and grow their business using the power of apprentices.

The Importance of Apprentices in the Industry

“Apprentices are absolutely essential to our business. They allow us to deliver exceptional customer service while learning the full rhythm of salon life from day one.

They’re the future of our industry, and investing in them ensures the next generation of stylists are skilled, confident, and aligned with the standards we believe in.

We teach them not only excellent hairdressing skills but also the professionalism and customer care that define our brand.”

Navigating Industry Changes

A lot has changed in the industry over the last five years, so businesses are having to navigate increasingly challenging conditions to evolve and prosper.

“The industry has become significantly more expensive to operate in, particularly due to rising wage costs and the wider economic pressures on small businesses. We’ve had to look very carefully at staffing levels and business structure to remain sustainable.

Despite these challenges, apprentices remain vital to the future of the industry, and I’d love to see continued investment in training, clearer pathways for young people, and more recognition of the value that apprentices bring.”

Advice for Salon Owners and Apprentices

If you’re unsure about taking on an apprentice, Rona has some words of advice:

“I would encourage salon owners to give the right candidate a chance. A motivated apprentice can become an invaluable part of the team, and shaping someone from the very beginning means they grow with your business values and standards. It’s an investment of time, but the rewards – for both the salon and the apprentice – are huge.”

And Rona shares encouraging advice for a new apprentice starting their training too:

“Be passionate about the industry and stay self-motivated. Hairdressing is hard work, but it’s incredibly rewarding if you’re committed.

Watch everything, ask questions, practise whenever you can, and take pride in every small step of progress. The more you put in, the more you’ll get out of your training.”

Smooth Transition to Kleek Apprenticeships

William Charles Hair transferred to Kleek in 2025 from another training provider. So in addition to incorporatng apprentices into their business model for growth, they have also moved their training support from a small local provider to a large national organisation in Kleek Apprenticeships.

Rona tells us about the process and the support they are now receiving with Kleek.

“The transfer process was incredibly easy – seamless in fact. Kleek Apprenticeships has offered far more support than our previous provider, and we feel genuinely safe and well looked after under their wing.

Communication is clear, expectations are consistent, and the apprentices feel supported too, which makes a huge difference to their confidence and progress.”

We are delighted to support Rona and all her apprentices at William Charles, and look forward to developing a long-lasting relationship as their trusted training partner.

Are you ready to train too?

Looking for a hair and beauty training provider that understands your business needs and will fully support you and your apprentice from recruitment through to qualification, then contact Kleek today for more info.

For the best training in hair and beauty, over 700 salons choose Kleek Apprenticeships every year.

Photo credit: Chris Henry Photography / Williams Charles Salon