Why Should I Choose Collinge & Co Training as My Apprentice's Training Provider?

If you're a salon owner in Liverpool, Greater Manchester, or Lancashire considering taking on a hairdressing apprentice, choosing the right training provider is one of the most important decisions you'll make. The quality of training your apprentice receives will directly impact their skills, confidence, and ultimately, their contribution to your business. At Collinge & Co Training, we've been providing exceptional hairdressing apprenticeships for over 40 years, and we're proud to support more than 70 partner salons across the North West.

An Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ Training Provider

When choosing a training provider, you’ll want to know that your apprentice will receive the highest standard of education and training. In June 2024, Collinge & Co Training was inspected by Ofsted and awarded a grade of Outstanding across all areas, including Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, Leadership and Management, and Overall Effectiveness.

Ofsted inspectors noted that apprentices "thoroughly enjoy the amazing experience they have while training at Collinge & Co Training" in a "warm, inclusive and welcoming environment." This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to providing training of the highest standard.

What does this mean for you as an employer? It means that when you choose Collinge & Co Training, you're partnering with a provider that has been independently verified as a truly exceptional hairdressing training centre. Your apprentice will benefit from expert teaching, comprehensive support, a dedicated career education and guidance programme and an environment designed to help them thrive.

Our ‘Outstanding’ Ofsted Report

Above Regional Average Achievement Rates

Don’t just take our word for it; our achievement rates speak for themselves.

In the 2024/25 academic year, 100% of our Hair Professional apprentices passed their End Point Assessment first time. This outstanding pass rate means you can be confident that your apprentice will successfully complete their qualification and progress in their career.

Our overall retention rate of 83% is one of the highest in the North West, and significantly exceeds many of our competitors both locally and nationally. When comparing Collinge & Co Training to other providers in the Liverpool City Region, our consistent performance and quality outcomes place us at the forefront of hairdressing apprenticeship training.

Qualified, Specialist & Experienced Tutors

As an independent training provider, Collinge & Co Training exclusively delivers hairdressing apprenticeships. This specialist approach means that every aspect of our training is designed specifically for the hairdressing industry. We understand the skills, knowledge and professional behaviours your apprentice needs to succeed on the salon floor, to be an asset to your salon during their training and to have a successful and sustainable career after their apprenticeship.

As well as being qualified and experienced educators, all of our tutors are commercially active hairdressers. This means they bring current, real-world salon experience into the classroom, ensuring that what your apprentice learns is relevant, practical, and immediately applicable in your salon. They understand the pressures of a busy salon environment, current trends, and the technical skills that make an exceptional hairdresser.

Small Class Sizes

We believe that smaller class sizes can benefit learners in a number of ways, which is why we maintain a maximum of 14 Level 2 Hairdressing Professional 1st year apprentices, 8 2nd year apprentices & 10 Level 3 Advanced & Creative apprentices per group.

This small class size ensures that each apprentice receives individual attention, personalised feedback, and the support they need to develop at their own pace. Your apprentice will be tutored, supported and guided through their apprenticeship by tutors who are truly invested in their success.

A Purpose-Built Training Environment

Our training centre at 99 Bold Street in the heart of Liverpool features a purpose-built training salon where apprentices work on real clients in a busy and energetic hairdressing environment. This commercial salon experience is invaluable, allowing apprentices to develop their technical skills, build confidence, and learn to manage a column in a supportive but professional setting.

The blend of practical salon work at our training centre, classroom learning, virtual sessions and training in your salon creates a comprehensive training programme that develops well-rounded, capable hairdressers.

Our Training Salon

Dedicated Support for You

When you choose Collinge & Co Training, you, as an employer, will also be supported throughout your apprentice’s journey. You’ll meet Laura and Emma, our dedicated Employer Relationship & Recruitment Officers (ERROs), who will visit you on a regular basis to provide ongoing support for both you and your apprentice.

This means you'll always have a point of contact who understands your apprentice's progress, can address any concerns, and can provide guidance on how to support their development in your salon. We also provide clear route maps showing the training journey, so you can align your workplace training with what your apprentice is learning with us.

You’ll also get access to our Partner Salon Portal, our one-stop-shop for news, resources and information. Here, you’ll find wellbeing resources for you, your apprentice and your employees, short recorded webinars on important topics, updates on legislation and developments you’ll need to know about and updates about what’s happening next at Collinge & Co Training.

How We Keep You Informed

Clear Progression Pathways

We're committed to supporting apprentices throughout their careers. After completing the Level 2 Hairdressing Professional Apprenticeship, your apprentice has the option to progress to the Level 3 Advanced and Creative Hair Professional Apprenticeship. This progression pathway means that as your apprentice grows in skill and confidence, they can continue to develop their expertise whilst remaining with you.

Our dedicated careers education and guidance (CEAG) is designed to engage apprentices in their own future planning, explore the career routes available to them and prepare for the next steps after their apprenticeship. They’ll benefit from inspirational speaker visits and 1-on-1 ambition reviews, tailored to their personal goals and career journey,

Our apprentices have gone on to build successful careers, with many progressing to senior roles, education positions, and even opening their own salons. Almost all of our apprentices progress into full-time employment in hairdressing, meaning the investment you make in training will yield long-term returns for your business.

Our Apprenticeship Courses

Our Career Education and Guidance Programme

Local Connections and Regional Impact

Based in Liverpool and serving salons across the Liverpool City Region, Greater Manchester, and Lancashire, we're deeply rooted in the North West hairdressing community. We currently train apprentices for over 70 partner salons, creating a network of professionals who share high standards and best practices.

Our training has been carefully designed to meet the needs of hairdressing employers and align with the priorities of the Liverpool City Region, ensuring that what we teach is relevant to local businesses like yours.

Additional Benefits of Choosing Collinge & Co Training

When you partner with us, you'll also benefit from:

• Guidance on financial incentives: We'll advise you on any available incentives for employing apprentices and ensure timely payment of any 16-18 apprentice incentives
• Competitions: Your apprentice will compete in our annual Intersalon event, a hair styling competition judged by industry experts that gives them the chance to demonstrate their technical and creative skills
• Comprehensive employer resources – Access to our Partner Salon Portal with guidance, policies, news, and support materials

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Choosing Collinge & Co Training means choosing a partner with over 40 years of experience, proven results, and a genuine commitment to developing exceptional hairdressers. Whether you're considering taking on your first hairdressing apprentice or you're an experienced employer looking for a training provider that understands your needs, we're here to support you.

To find out more about our employer services or to discuss taking on an apprentice, you can contact our Employer Relationship & Recruitment Officers Emma (07760749633) or Laura (07587779463), call us on 0151 709 5942, or email training@collingeandco.com. You can also complete our Request for Training Services form, and a member of our training team will get in touch with you.

Visit us at Collinge & Co Training, 99 Bold Street, Liverpool L1 4HF, or find more information at collingeandco.com/apprenticeships.