Yorkshire salon group, Westrow, is celebrating after its multi-award-winning Westrow House Academy scooped first place in the National Association for Hairdressers and Therapists (AHT) Contribution to Training Apprentices category.
The Academy team took home the trophy, sponsored by Habia, at the first national AHT awards ceremony held at the Village Hotel in Blackpool, Lancashire in March 2022.
The new awards initiative, comprising six categories sponsored and supported by leading organisations in the field of education and learning, was devised to recognise those involved in education within the sector who have shown, with their dedication and skills, to highlight the breadth and quality of education in colleges throughout the UK.
Winners were deemed to have had a pivotal hand in helping to increase the understanding of colleges and private training providers, contributing to their communities’ economic and social development while giving their learners valuable support during the difficult situations that arose during the COVID-19 pandemic.
After winning at the regional heats in December, Westrow House Academy’s nomination was judged by an independent, external industry and educational judging panel, with the team highlighted for their exemplary approach to student training and welfare, having risen to the challenges presented over the last 18 months.
The £1 million investment to launch the state-of-the-art educational centre of excellence in November 2014 has seen the company grow to become one of the most established and recognised training facilities in the UK, able to house 240 students at any one time and attracting some of the biggest names in the business. This has been hallmarked with five prestigious national industry awards over eight years of trading, a testament to its commendable training policies and globally recognised education team.
Westrow House Academy Principle, Sarah Seaman, said of the win: ‘We were thrilled to take home the trophy in the ‘Dedication to Training Apprentices’ category. We have 20 internal Assessors who enjoy a programme of Continual Professional Development to effectively facilitate our Apprenticeship programme, which is delivered to more than 100 independent salons nationally. The last two years have been incredibly challenging, and we have had to adapt and react to a rapidly changing business landscape in line with our learners’ needs, keeping individuals motivated and inspired, without compromising on their learning or results. I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved and this was the perfect way to celebrate Westrow’s 35 years in business on 1 April 2022.”