Gen Y isn’t a problem for Plush Hair. They’re the future.

Kathleen Lindsay Plush Hair

Kathleen Lindsay says that she is surprised to hear people say they cannot figure out Gen Y because she believes they have a good understanding of the new work environment. Hair salons these days are not like they used to be and, Ms Lindsay says, working conditions are far better.

Over the past ten years, Ms Lindsay has worked hard on her formula for success, including ways to involve her apprentices in its growth. ‘Hairdressing and its skills training provides careers, not just jobs,’ explains Ms Lindsay. She believes harnessing their skills means talking to them about a career stream and putting in place a business strategy that involves them.

And the policies and procedures Ms Lindsay has developed over the past ten years for her apprentices are impressive. Everyone gets a copy of the national employment standard Hair & Beauty Industry Award and a schedule of training with two appraisals per annum with targets. At the commencement of their hairdressing apprenticeship, Chris Greentree from the local MEGT Australian Apprenticeships Centre informs them of their rights as apprentices, what is expected of them and their employer, what training they are to undertake and helps them with the Training Contract they enter into.

Chris Greentree has been working alongside the Plush business for the past ten years, helping them organise their financial incentives and ensuring the apprenticeships run smoothly. Ms Greentree sees the effort and care put into the professionalism of the Plush business and says that their company philosophy: enriching and rewarding service or it’s simply not worth doing, is put into practice, not just in a frame on the wall.

Australian Apprenticeships are an Australian government initiative.

MEGT (Australia) | Australian Apprenticeships