Midlands Enterprise Awards 2020

54 | Midlands Enterprise Awards 2020 Sep20513 Best Dog Groomer Training Provider 2020 The school’s mission is to provide top-quality, high-class training to people who wish to become qualified dog groomers themselves and its beliefs are centred around students being individuals and requiring different learning styles and techniques. With 100 percent achievement rate, the school is proud to see its students go out and set up their own grooming establishments. Managed by its namesake Sue Oliver, who has qualified teaching and learning status with the Society for Education and Training, the school runs a commercial salon where students can learn on client’s dogs and gain real-life experience of the industry. A maximum of only five students per class, combined with modern facilities and tools, ensures that a good balance of teaching and practical is met. Sue Oliver tells us a little more about what sets the school aside from others in this sector. “We are competitive with our prices for the courses,” she says. “Additionally, we also make sure we stay up to date with current legislation, and any grooming seminars are attended whenever possible to ensure we’re always keeping up with the latest trends.” Being well situated in the Midlands, and just a few miles off the M1, offers people further afield the opportunity to access the school and Sue regularly see students from Essex, Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. “Our location in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, ensures that we are accessible to students from all over the Midlands and other neighbouring regions. We have had a student travel from Hong Kong - this was a great achievement.” It hasn’t always been plain sailing for Sue and the team, in fact the school had to close for three months during the Covid-19 pandemic which swept the globe, which impacted the business substantially. “We have once again re-opened and courses are running with safety measures in place,” Sue highlights. “We have potential students enquiring about the courses, and we feel that Covid-19 has given some people the opportunity to review their career and consider a change – which is great news for us! The dedicated team that work alongside Sue have a range of qualities, such as being friendly, approachable and adaptable, as well as the ability to work with a diverse variety of people. The company has strict and high standards regarding equal opportunities, and all staff are encouraged to share their ideas and beliefs. Looking to the future, Sue is confident that, as normality returns, the dog grooming industry will begin to settle and work will resume as before. There are plans to offer additional services, such as grooming tool sharpening and maintenance, so that students and qualified staff can keep their equipment in a safe and usable condition and continue to offer the very best services they can. Contact: Sue Oliver Company: Sue Oliver Dog Grooming Studio Ltd Website: www.sueoliverdoggroomingstudio.co.uk Based in the Midlands, Sue Oliver Dog Grooming Studio offers part-time dog grooming courses, working with ICMG UK and City & Guilds, to provide internationally recognised qualifications. Recently, we caught up with Sue Oliver to find out more about one of the best dog groomer training providers in the industry today. With 100 percent achievement rate, the school is proud to seeits students go out and set up their own grooming establishments.