The Manitoba Home Builders' Association is celebrating 75 years.
Issue link: http://publications.winnipegfreepress.com/i/322578
2013Apprenticeship $%! # # # !%!!#"" %#!!!#%" ## # % # MARK BRAUN ORIGINALLY WANTED TO BE A TEACHER BUT HE WENT TO HIS FIRST YEAR OF EDUCATION AT THE UNI VERSITY OF WINNIPEG AND DECIDED IT WASN'T FOR HIM. "I stumbled across the profession," he said of becoming a hairstylist. "I just came across a beautyschoolandsaid'IthinkIwanttodothis.' Igotintotheindustrythefollowingyear." It wasn't until he was an apprentice at a salon thathegothisfirstrealtasteoftheprofession,and hehasbeendoinghairnowforover25years. SalonPopwillbefiveyearsoldasofFebruary 2014.Braunbelievesthatschoolinghaschanged the profession to make it much more business- oriented.Braunalsoconsidershimselfnotonlya journeypersonbutabusinessmanaswell. "Why have apprentices? If you want to grow yourbusinessyouneedfuel,andapprenticesare ournextgenerationintheindustry,"Braunsaid. "New talent is important.The industry is con- stantlychangingandyouneedtokeepup." Braungetsplentybackfromhisjob,bothfrom workingwithapprenticesandfromhisclientele. "IlovethefactthatIcanmakeadifference,"he said."Iprovideavehicleforapprentices'future– Ihelpthemestablishacareer.AndinreturnIget staffthatgeneratesfuelforthecompany." "I'minabusinessthatmakespeoplefeelgood and I teach my apprentices that it is an experi- ence for our clients," he said. "I try to keep up with the time so we use iPads that can take a picture of the client and show them different hairstyles on their face. Technology is great in anyindustry." Braun's Salon Pop currently has four appren- ticesandeightjourneypersons. "Our environment is very open here and ap- prentices are always allowed and encouraged to ask questions," he said. "Apprentices and jour- neypersons – these are the people who have developed the culture and environment for the salon–theykeeptheclientscomingback." URBAN JOURNEYPERSON OF THE YEAR MARKBRAUN F I N A L I S T MARK BRAUN OF SALON POP. SUBMITTED PHOTO