Northampton salon is runner-up to a supermarket chain at prestigious business awards

Hairdressing salon Outcast came runner up in both categories they were finalists in. The categories show the emphasis placed on people and development within the business, excellence in training and development and apprentice business of the year.

The judges made this comment... 

"For a company with ten employees, it speaks volumes for their commitment to developing young people; that four of their staff are apprentices. The scheme is imaginative and combines the skills and experience of senior stylists with off the job training at college. There is a sense of excitement about Outcast as well as an undoubted commitment to providing the highest quality service to their guests, all reflected within their excellent apprenticeship scheme".

The salon, which became a member of the Northamptonshire Chamber of Commerce over a year ago, joined hundreds of other local companies to battle it out for the coveted awards at this year's Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards. 

Outcast is a small independent company with big ideas. To be up against Sainsbury's was an outstanding achievement and their win just shows the level at which this salon operates.

It was the second time this hairdressing team had entered these business awards, proving that business acumen is essential and rewarding in any trade. The judging panel went through hundreds of applications from across the region to select its winners. The salon won last year the category for training and development, but to be a runner-up did not disappoint the salon as the recognition of the continued hard work was a great achievement. 

An apprenticeship program, work-based learning, Paul Mitchell product accreditation and a salon assessor allows the salon to train constantly throughout even on busy working days when the student and teacher learns the most. 

Victoria Bradford, Front of House and Director of PR and Marketing understands the importance of awards and what it can bring to a business and the team. 

"We were so excited to be finalists in three categories. People don't often associate business recognition within our industry, so to be competing and achieving alongside the full spectrum of other regional companies has been awesome.

"For the salon the award will mean a continued dedication to training and development, focusing on our Apprenticeship Program and developing our Academy so we can train and develop other young people." Judges' comments for the Runner-up Training and Development Category.

The commitment to training staff is exemplary with the management team taking the time to develop themselves to be able to pass on that experience to more junior members of staff. A culture of continuous development exists within all areas of the organisation from initial induction and throughout the lifecycle of an employee's time with the company.