The UPDATED LINK from the government website for employing an apprentice in your hair salon.
In 2012 the UK government introduced a new salon apprenticeship program, supporting both, employees and young apprentices. Amongst qualifying industry hairdressing, and beauty industry is on top of the list (good news for hairdressers:)).
What does it mean to you?
If you are a beauty and salon owner, including a barbershop owner, the government will offer you a salon grant of £1500 when you hire a young apprentice between the ages of 16-24. The process is fairly straightforward and if you need to know the details the best place to visit is the official government Apprenticeship website www.apprenticeships.org.uk
We have however investigated for you the details of how it all works and discovered at least 3 main issues that every salon owner, wishing to take on a new apprentice, must consider before signing up for the deal.
1. 12 Months contract
Be aware of the 12 months contract. You will be paid a grant on the basis that you will train a salon apprentice for the full 12 months, and you will be fully paid after the successful completion of 12 months contract (50% of the hair and beauty salon grant is given at the start of the program and the rest after month 12). That simply means, no quitting, no firing, and lots of patience during the mentorship period.
2. Do you have time to train?
Do you actually have time to train a salon junior to do the job to justify taking out any other member of your staff’s time? Review your current business situation, and think carefully about how you could benefit from a young, inexperienced trainee, who will be in charge of training, despite a government grant, you will still have to pay the national minimum set for an apprenticeship, which is currently £2.60an hour, and you must employ for over 30hours a week, so no part-timers there; and ultimately how will it affect your salon’s bottom line?
3. Does your business need a trainee or an external salon expert?
The idea of getting “cheap labour” and a grant might sound appealing, but who do you really need? an experienced stylist or a salon trainee? If you get this wrong cheap labour will cost you money, whilst highly paid staff can double your takings in no time!
Other than that sounds like a good deal and I hope this helps 🙂
Stay cool
Tamara Machavariani for Salon Punk
