Testimonials

Testimonials - Stakeholder Feedback

03/05-2006

I have enjoyed being at Ruben Blades so much so far, it is the best thing I have every done. I have always had a passion for hair, and now I am learning more than I ever thought I could in such a small amount of time. I took a big step and quit my full time job that was going nowhere in a bakery, and now that I am here, for the first time in my life I feel like I am going somewhere.

When you were talking to me in the interview and on the first day when you came and talked to the whole class, for the first time I thought that I’m going to try and take the advice that has been offered to me and listen to what they have to say. I failed a lot in high school because I never listened and was really scared to get back into education, I always thought that I knew best, so this time I thought I would do as I am told and put this course as my number 1 priority. Now I have achieved more than I could ever have imagined. With one week to go I have only got my finger waves to do. It hasn’t been easy; I have had to work my butt off! I love every minute of being at Ruben Blades and can't wait to get down into module 2.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to live out my dream of being a hairdresser.

Jennifer McLachlan
(Gained employed and is currently doing Post Learning Eelco)

04/04/2006

I have found my time here at Ruben Blades to be very rewarding. I always felt safe and was never nervous to ask any questions or ask for help when I needed it, and when I did there was never any hesitation or waiting around for the answers from the tutors as there was always someone available to help out.

I soon learnt that if you wanted to succeed there was nothing and nobody but yourself that could stop you. The environment that you have to work in, the amazing amount of clients that come in and the tutors make it just about impossible to fail.

I have loved every minute of Ruben Blades and I am amazed at how much I have learnt in the last 9 months. I am so happy that I set my mind to it and reached my goal of achieving Honors and I am not finding it hard to find a job. It’s the first time I have followed something through to the end.

Jennifer McLachlan
(Gained employed and is currently doing Post Learning Eelco)

22/05/2006

My name is Hemi Hadfield and I studied at Ruben Blades a couple of intakes ago. I as you know did not become a hairdresser but I am writing to thank you for the experience I had there. I still have a passion for that line of work but know at this stage in my life I am really not ready for it.

I actually want to thank you for a couple of speeches you gave and some of our direct talks. They have helped me over the last couple of months and I have managed to get a great job at Telecom.

I wish you and your family and company well and would like to thank you again.

Hemi Hadfield

19/08/2007

On Monday 13th August 07 I attended your hairdressing school for streaks. I was attended by trainee Krista Jenkins. I was most impressed by her, Krista acted in a very professional manner to her client, and the fact that she was able to create a colour that suited me as a senior client.

It is always rewarding to have your tutor Vicky there, who always expects a high standard from her trainees, which I find most rewarding and this puts me at ease. I have had several favorable comments on the colour and some believe it is the best they have seen, not that I have not been happy in the past. I believe Krista will go fair in hairdressing as she is most friendly, and was very confident and acted in a very professional way. I wish Krista all the best in the future please pass on these best wishes to her, as well as a big thank you.

D R Bell
(Client)

03/05/2006

As part of the Ruben Blades hairdressing course we had to do one week work experience fur the Christmas break. I completed mine at a salon in Springs Road Hornby. On my first day I was introduced to the staff and quickly became friends with a young apprentice almost finishing her 2nd year. She had been getting paid a shocking amount of $7.60 per hour for 2 years working 6 days a week. I was surprised to find out what she had spent the last 2 years doing. I completed in my first 3 months at Ruben Blades what she had done in her 2 years and I had the paper work to prove it, she didn’t. I thank my lucky stars that I haven’t chosen to do an apprenticeship. All she knew was what her employer had taught her (which wasn’t much) where as I have been studying full time for nearly one year and will come out being an intermediate stylist (2 steps up from her stage) with a book full of unit standards and an Associate Diploma in Hairdressing.

Nicki Pullman
(Gained employment on graduation)

04/07/2005

Dear Eelco and staff

I would like to thank you all for seeing Kathleen through the course, even though at times it seemed like too much to ask.

You certainly have your work cut out, as many of the young participants in your program seem to be their own worse enemy not realizing the opportunity before them. As I often said to Kathleen, she was lucky that she at least found an interest (hopefully a passion) that without huge academic accomplishments will earn her a living.

Kathleen comes from a stable household with supportive parent(s) where hard work and education is valued, so I most definitely had to function outside of my comfort zone with her as, she was adamant to self-destruct.

I found that, as she moved through your building, from the top floor to the ground floor she made some significant changes, which I can only credit to her professional development; this was evident in her grooming, telephone manner, and a sense of responsibility. She has been working at a salon near the house as you know and she had had no issues. I am hoping that she will return to Ruben Blades in the near future to complete certain modules so that she can realize her full potential as a hairdresser. She still has a long way to go as far as her personal development is concerned, hopefully maturity will help this along.

Thank you again,

Cathy Husford
(Parent)

21/05/2006

Dear Sir

I have been a client of yours on several occasions, and have always been satisfied with my results. On the 20th June my stylist was Jess Lowe. Jess’s presentation was outstanding in all of her clients needs. Jess took her time in consulting me on colour, and with my condition of Psoriasis of my scalp, Jess was so gently when using the streaking cap technique to streak my hair. Even her selection of magazines had an outstanding approach to detail, her friendly manner, the continuous checking of her client was outstanding, Jess wanting to give satisfaction to her client and most of all her work. I believe that Jess will go far as she is so professional.

D Bell
(Client)

Dear Eelco

My name is Kristal Yorke, I was a student in your 36 week course in July 2002. I am writing to express my extreme gratitude to you and your staff of wonderful tutors, who were instrumental in helping me to begin becoming the strong and confident hairdresser that I am well on my way to being. I truly believe that without the assistance of yourself and your staff they shy, easily distracted 19 year old girl I was then would never have found the courage and determination to push past my imagined limitation and achieve my true potential. I wanted to write this letter to explain some of the ways you and your staff were instrumental in helping me achieve my goals.

As a student on a very tight budget having all my course costs laid out up front in one payment made it easy to organize my finances. Being able to return to finish my assessments at no cost for up to 2 years also made things less stressful and more achievable. The flexibility your tutors showed in scheduling my assessments after the course completed allowed me to continue working full time while finishing my qualification. Your tutors were always willing to adapt any lesson to another learning style to make it easier for me to comprehend the information and I never felt as though I was treated any differently because of my Maori heritage, although every effort was made to be sensitive to my cultural and spiritual needs.

The tools of learning i.e. products and models were always made readily available and if I wanted something specific for any assessment it was made available with no hassle. Your tutors always saw when I needed extra encouragement and never allowed me to accept less than they believed I was capable of achieving even when I didn’t believe in myself.

The tutors were always available to offer comfort and advice and act as support for a very homesick girl who was a long way away from her Whanau on the West Coast. Eelco, although your schedule was very busy you always made time to see me when needed.

I always felt you had a good range of products and magazines with up to date products and equipment. Your pride in my achievement and your approachable nature meant that even now when I have finished my training and am in the process of sitting my National Certificate I still felt the doors remained open which provided me with the support I need with my career path. I want you all to know that I would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Ruben Blades Academy to anyone considering a career in hairdressing.

With Grateful Thanks,

Kristal Yorke
(Gained employment and completed her National Certificate 15 months after graduation)

22/06/2004

I would like to commend you on a wonderful school with exceptional training. I am an attorney from the US and am on vacation here in NZ. I was in desperate need of a cut and came into your salon thinking it was a regular high class salon. When I found out it was a school, I was surprised but thought I would give it try and I am glad I did. Your students are extremely professional and well trained in their craft. They were able to advise me on color and hair styles and I am very pleased with both. This has been a wonderful experience and I just with I lived closer so I could come back again. All the best to your and your fantastic students.

Kalinda Raina
(Client)

08 July 2002

Please find enclosed certificate of participation for those that competed in the Pre-Trade Blow wave section of our Regional competitions yesterday.

The judges commented on the high standard of entries and the professionalism amongst these trainee hairdressers.

On behalf of the committee I would like to thank the organizers form your establishment for the time and effort put into these people to enable them to participate in our competitions.

Please pass on the congratulations from the Association to those that competed.

Adrienne Sears
(Canterbury Westland Association of Hairdressers Inc)