Nov 19, 2011 (PRN): “With the latest employment figures released with over one million young people unemployed and without any hope of a job in the near future is a disgrace,” said Britain’s top competition winning hairdresser Trevor Mitchell. “A major factor in the hairdressing industry is that the minimal wage has stopped many hairdressers investing in employing an eighteen-year-old apprentice, as most students stay in education until eighteen, so paying the minimum wage plus national insurance stamps and holidays means the employer is funding the apprentice's training. Many colleges have “Hairdressing” as one of the careers they teach but because the students do not learn their craft in a businesslike salon environment they are always ill-prepared. When they seek employment, the employers always has to make further investment as they are never ready to go straight into the salon without further training and careful supervision.

“Another thing that could reduce unemployment in the hairdressing industry is for major hairdressing chains to embrace change that is being forced upon them by uncertainty in the marketplace which has caused recession and to move with the times instead of down-sizing and making staff redundant. Every young hairdresser made redundant is a tragedy for that person and makes them feel not wanted, affecting not only their earnings but also damaging their self confidence. Trevor Mitchell International Group saw their trade initially contract but we changed our way of working so we did not have to make a single person redundant – in fact we have bucked the trend, increased staff and have opened three new salons in 2011.”

Trevor Mitchell’s good friend football legend Lawrie McMenemy did the honours when the Trevor Mitchell International Group opened its latest salon at Sarisbury Green under the control of their newest director, local girl, Kylie Hookway.

Trevor boldly proclaimed to a host of guest at the opening - “The recession can help business when you accept the market place has changed and you adapt the way you run your business to accommodate clients wishes rather than just carry on as you did when business in the High Streets were booming. By opening three salons this year the Group has bucked the trend of many hairdressing chains that are reducing the number of salon in their portfolio.”

“The secret of our success has been that the TMI Group has down-sized its salons but have increased the number of salons by expanding our business into the local district shopping centres as more and more people are seeking local quality hair styling and colouring at competitive prices. Being able to shop locally is better for the environment as most people do not need to use their car. Also with the hassle and cost of inner city car parking which adds to the cost and discourages shoppers. Heaven forbid, if you return late to your car when it is parked on a meter, then you could find a parking warden has just made your city centre haircut rather more expensive than planned.

“The recession, and the increase to 20% of value added tax, has decimated the profitability of many salons causing them to shed stylists and to reduce their investment in the future by not employing and training apprentices – all bad for the employment of young people and business in general. The average age of all our staff including main board directors is only 28 years and six months and we will continue to invest our money in training apprentices. We have an excellent blend of the enthusiasm and energy of youth coupled with the experience and wisdom of the senior members of the team that has generated an ethos of quality hairdressing and customer care which has driven our expansion plans.

“By encouraging senior staff members to become a director and to invest in individual salons under the TMI brand with just a director, one senior stylist and an apprentice in a local district centre has proved this model is a winner. Each new salon offers high quality styling and colouring, competitive prices and easy access, as most local district centres have two hours free car parking.

“The recession has meant that the market is changing and those who fail to embrace the changes, that are being forced upon the industry, will do so at their peril. I have listened to my staff and they are hungry for success so when the going gets tough the tough get going and this “can do” attitude that percolates upwards from my youngest apprentice right through to all the directors is proving the right path in these challenging times.”

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