Salon owner is a cut above the rest

Photo: Laura Wild

Julie Buckley with her certificate

A Rochdale woman has been recognised for all the help and support she has provided to a trainee hairdresser at her salon.

Julie Buckley, from Bamford, runs Unicut Hair Studio in High Crompton, Shaw and has been awarded the ‘Oldham young apprenticeship employer of the year, 2009’ award.

Mrs Buckley was nominated by 15 year old Loren Scholey-McGee who has been worked at the salon for one day a week as part of a new scheme between schools, Oldham College and local businesses.

Mrs Buckley has run the salon for 29 years and is thrilled she has won the award, she said: “It is a nice to win and to be recognised, it is very encouraging. I like helping out and putting people through their training.

“I used to scare away from having apprentices in but I have realised that it is great, because they are helping me and I am helping them.”

Ms Scholey-McGee attends Royton and Crompton Secondary School; she explained why she nominated Mrs Buckley: “On my first day in the salon I was very nervous and Julie made me feel comfortable. I have been shown how to put in rollers, shampooing, henna treatments, answering the phone and up hair styles.”

Ms Scholey-McGee works with Mrs Buckley in the salon one day a week and attends college on another day. She is in year 11 and will be doing her GCSE’s in the summer. Taking part in this scheme means that when Ms Scholey-Mcgee goes to college she should be able to qualify within just nine months.

Mrs Buckley said that her apprentice is a ‘natural.’