Interview: My apprenticeship in a small business

Teamwork in a small business

Baimas is an aspiring hairdresser in his third year of training. Teamwork is very important at his company. Baimas appreciates the advantages of a small business, where things are more personal.

A young woman has her hair washed.
Some of the training includes washing hair.
Young people shake hands.
Teamwork is very important in small businesses – everyone has to be able to rely on one another.

Baimas: I wanted to be a nurse at first, but my friend recommended hairdressing. After completing an internship, I decided to train as a hairdresser. I found the apprenticeship through a friend.

planet-beruf.de: What are the pros and cons of training in a small business?

Baimas: I have a wide range of tasks, and things are very personal here. My questions are answered straight away, which I think is great. Whenever our colleagues are missing, they leave a noticeable hole, which isn’t very good. That’s why it’s very important for small businesses to work well as a team.

planet-beruf.de: How is your typical working day?

Baimas: I look after our customers, offer them something to drink and wash their hair. I empty the dishwasher and sweep the floor. I’m now in my third year of training, so I can even do things like cutting and dyeing.

planet-beruf.de: Do you need support for your training?

Baimas: Yes. It was difficult at first, because my language skills weren’t very good. My boss is very supportive and pays for my tutoring, and my teachers and classmates help me out at college.

planet-beruf.de: Can apprentices get promoted just as easily at a small company?

Baimas: No. But our boss promotes our further training, such as through seminars. Once I’ve completed my training, I want to keep learning and become a master hairdresser.

Facts about small and micro-businesses

Before starting your training, you should consider the pros and cons of an apprenticeship in a small or micro-business. For example, there won’t be as many applicants competing for a place at a small company. If you’re looking for promotion opportunities, however, you should choose a larger company.

  • Companies with under 10 employees are called micro-businesses.
  • Companies with up to 50 employees are known as small enterprises.