Small Employer of the Year

2026 South Australian Training Award Winner

Longko Salon

Longko Salon is a successful South Australian hairdressing business built on a strong commitment to training, creativity and career development.

With a culture of continuous learning, the salon provides structured pathways from traineeships and apprenticeships through to advanced technical and leadership development.

Training is embedded into daily salon operations, combining hands-on experience, mentoring from experienced stylists and external education through industry-leading organisations. More than 85 percent of employees are actively engaged in training, supported by partnerships with industry organisations and specialist academies.

The quality and impact of the training model is demonstrated by outcomes such as an adult apprentice who completed training with Longko and went on to establish her own salon overseas.

Through strong industry engagement, innovative programs and a focus on inclusion, Longko Salon is building confident, highly skilled professionals and contributing to the future of the hair and beauty industry.

About the Small Employer of the Year award

This award recognises a small enterprise that has achieved excellence in the provision of nationally recognised training for its employees, including apprentices.

The 2026 Small Employer of the Year award category is presented by the South Australian Skills Commission