Are Apprenticeships in Hair Salons Dying out?

For years, apprenticeships have been the lifeblood of the hairdressing industry. They’ve given aspiring stylists a chance to learn the craft hands-on while providing salon owners with the opportunity to nurture fresh talent. But with recent government budget cuts, many are wondering: Are apprenticeships in hair salons dying out?

The Challenges Salon Owners Face

As salon owners, we’ve always seen apprenticeships as a win-win. Apprentices get real-world experience, and salon owners get the chance to train future stylists to fit the unique needs of the business. However, with funding being scaled back, owners are now facing serious obstacles:

• Rising Costs – The financial support they once relied on to help cover training costs is disappearing. For many small salons, the cost of taking on and properly training an apprentice is becoming unsustainable.
• Fewer Opportunities – Without proper funding, salon owners simply can’t afford to offer as many apprenticeship positions. That means fewer young people gaining access to the industry and fewer skilled professionals entering the workforce.
• Long-Term Skills Shortage – If fewer salons take on apprentices, where will the next generation of stylists come from? The risk of a skills shortage is growing, which could leave salons struggling to find qualified staff in the years ahead.

A Broken System

One of the biggest frustrations salon owners face is the way apprenticeship funding is allocated. The Apprenticeship Levy, designed to fund training, is often used by large companies to upskill existing senior staff in management roles. Meanwhile, industries like hairdressing—where apprenticeships are crucial for bringing in new talent—are left behind.

What Happens if they Lose Apprenticeships?

If apprenticeships in hair salons fade away, the consequences will be felt across the industry:

• Fewer Entry Points – Hairdressing has always been an accessible career path for people from all walks of life. Without apprenticeships, the barriers to entry will grow, making it harder for young people to break into the industry.
• A Talent Drought – Salons depend on a steady stream of new talent. Without apprentices, we risk creating a skills gap that could take years to close.
• The Loss of Tradition – Hairdressing is a craft best learned hands-on. Apprenticeships allow knowledge and techniques to be passed down directly from experienced stylists to the next generation—a tradition that could be lost if funding continues to dwindle.

What Needs to Change?

Salon owners are calling on the government to rethink its approach to apprenticeship funding. They need:

• Better Access to Funding – Make it easier for small businesses to access the financial support required to train apprentices.
• Industry-Specific Support – Recognize that some industries, like hairdressing, rely heavily on apprenticeships for workforce development.
• Incentives for Small Salons – Introduce additional grants or tax breaks for small salons that take on apprentices, helping to offset the rising costs of training.

The Future Is in your Hands

If people don’t act now, the future of hairdressing apprenticeships—and the industry as a whole—could be at risk. The best thing to do? Rally to your MP about these issues and sign the petition below calling for better funding and government attention to this issue.

Sources: https://feweek.co.uk/hairdressing-apprenticeships-face-extinction-under-labour-tax-rises-says-report/ https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c1enpq1w97jo
https://thesalonmagazine.co.uk/hairdressing-beauty-sector-facing-existential-crisis-jobs-apprenticeships-forecast-to-be-decimated/