HITO 2024 Apprentice of the Year Platform Announces Winners

The 2024 HITO Apprentice of the Year winners have been named, with hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy apprentices across New Zealand honoured and recognised in their emerging careers. The awards platform has been operating since 2003 in the pursuit of recognising apprentices who show dedication to training, set and meet their goals, have a strong work ethic and have passion for their industry.

In the entry process, judges assessed high-quality entries that showcased each entrant’s journey as a HITO apprentice and what becoming qualified means to them, as well as their plans for their future careers.

Entrants were awarded in regional categories of Northern, Central, and Southern titles and celebrated at three regional HITO graduation ceremonies held in the month of November. Ceremonies in Christchurch, Wellington and Auckland were held on November 3, 10 and 17, respectively, and Apprentice of the Year finalists were invited to mark their achievements and honour the winners.

“Combining our annual graduation with the Apprentice of the Year awards and holding three ceremonies across New Zealand allowed us to celebrate with more of our industry and graduates and their friends, family, and colleagues. We have had amazing feedback from those who attended,” said Kay Nelson, HITO Director. “Acknowledging the incredible work HITO apprentices do in and out of the workplace, while working full time and pursing their qualification, is extremely important to us.”

The entries were so impressive that the judges found it difficult to narrow it down to one winner in each region, and named five winners overall. Congratulations to Northern Apprentices of the Year winners Alice Howard of Ryder Salon, Auckland, and Shelly Dale of Bella-Me Skin and Body, Kawerau, as well as Central Apprentice of the Year Kelvin Nguyen of Bouy Salon & Spa, Wellington, and Southern Apprentices of the Year winners Sophie Steel of Venom Hair, Invercargill, and Lucy Greer of Face | Body & Beauty, Balclutha.