Matt Young wins East Midlands Apprentice of the Year

The Apprentice of the Year Award seeks to acknowledge and celebrate apprentices’ exceptional contributions to their workplaces.  Judges looked for entrants that make a real difference to the organisation they work in by exceeding expectations and delivering measurable benefits.  The entrant may have introduced a new idea or initiative that has had an impact on the business for example, improved procedures and systems, or made an important contribution to the development of a product or special project.

In particular, the judges looked for inspirational qualities, commitment to personal development and progression through learning, outstanding contributions to their work place, areas of projects where they have exceeded expectations and examples of achievement and attainment in learning and work.

Our congratulations go to Matthew Young, from Impressions, who won the Northamptonshire area, and who then went on to win the East Midlands region.

What made Matt so special?  In his entry form Matt said:

“I achieved my Apprenticeship in 11 months which is exceptionally quick, and I have not just learned one discipline but two – European hairdressing and Afro Caribbean in that very short time.”

Gerry Baker, Matt Young, Gerry Mayhew

“I have had the opportunity to showcase my work in front of over 250 people in both 2005 and 2006 when my salon put on hair shows in Northampton.  I have also had one of my hair designs (models) published in the “Black Beauty” hair magazine, which is the main hair magazine for Afro Caribbean hair.”

Endorsing the form, his employer, Gerry Walker said:

“Matt is still very young, but he is an inspiration to the other staff, not just the other apprentices, but experienced stylists too.”

“A young man, working in hairdressing is rare, but when that young man is European, working in an Afro salon, understanding and creating exciting styles with Afro hair, that is exceptionally rare.”