AN apprenticeship has provided the launch pad to a thriving career and university degree for Middlesbrough’s Lauren Owens.
The 21-year-old, who completed a Level 2 and 3 apprenticeship at Middlesbrough College, is now rising through the ranks and is style director at Hair Therapy and Tan Fabulous on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough.
Lauren, who will complete her foundation degree in leadership and management in June, says an apprenticeship proved to be the perfect combination of learning and hands-on experience to kick start her career.
“I was very creative at school and wanted to be working and getting experience,” she explains.
“An apprenticeship was great for me because I was always doing something different, always learning but also earning money at the same time.”
Lauren hopes in September to begin working towards completing her full degree and has future ambitions for management and teaching.
She said: “I’ve got a great career now, I’m only 21 but I’ve done such a lot already.
“The more you push yourself the more rewards you get.
“Long term I’d like to be managing a chain of salons and get into teaching.”
She added: “My sister Lyndsey opted for full-time college and the university route and now has a degree. I hope to have mine soon.
“When I left school I never thought I’d get a degree, it just shows what an apprenticeship can help you achieve.”
The Linthorpe Road salon of Hair Therapy and Tan Fabulous opened in November, with the firm already having a salon on Acklam Road.
Both are owned by Darren and Matthew Pelusi and offer a range of hair dressing, beauty and tanning services.
Lauren joined the Linthorpe Road salon when it first opened, along with the salon’s other stylist Anna Alessandro.
Salon boss Darren Pelusi said: “Lauren is a great stylist; she’s done a lot in her career already and she keeps developing her skills and training all the time.”
As for the business, Darren plans to keep developing the two Middlesbrough salons.
“We opened the Acklam salon last April last year followed by Linthorpe Road in November.
“Because we do hair, tanning and beauty we can offer everything. We’ve got excellent staff and we want to keep on growing.”
