Becoming a hairdresser: Jobs, wage etc.

[r-m]

So i'm a 15 year old boy and i'm currently doing my GSCE exams in school. My predicted grades are good, and my careers adviser told me I should aim higher than hairdressing. But it's what I want to do. I've done 2 weeks experience in a salon already, and I really enjoyed it. I hope to one day become a stylist for TV and movies, or catwalk shows, or own my own salon or be a hairdressing tutor at a college.

Anyway, life story aside, I plan on doing an apprenticeship in the place where I did my work experience, because I think they were impressed with how hard I worked But I dont know how to ask for an apprenticeship there, because its different to enquiring for a job. Any advice on that?

Also, I was wondering about the wages of hairdressers - would I be able to afford my own flat or anything?

Any other advice is really appreciated, thanks in advance!

 

[VIVA.GLAM]

If hairdressing is what you want to do then go for it!

 

[xxlouiseshanexx]

Unfortunately the pay for apprentices is pretty low. I'm sure the nmw for a apprentice is 2.50 and hour and a minimum of 80 pound a week.

In regards of the apprenticeship, go in or telephone the manager and say you did some work experience and would like to do a apprenticeship, do they have any opportunity to do this ?

But if you love hairdressing it is worth it in the end

Good luck

Louise x

 

[persianista]

The great thing about hairdressing is that it operates at many different levels. The common misconception is that it is low paid.
A stylist in a small back street salon will not earn a fortune, but a stylist in a big city salon will earn about the same as a teacher or similar professional. A salon owner or session stylist more again. So yes you will earn enough to buy a house.

Hairdressing is a meritocracy, how far you go depends only on your talent and work ethic.
People who denigrate the industry such as teachers etc know nothing. Would you compare Gordon Ramsey with the pizza cook at your local pizza express? Both are chefs!

 

[Janie]

Im a prime example of this. At your age i had a saturday job in a salon and loved it and knew hairdressing was what i wanted to do. I also had good grades and was similarly told by teachers / careers advisors to aim higher than hairdressing. The mistake i made was listening to them. I went to college and university, got myself a degree and for a short time ended up doing a job i hated.

At 22, i quit my job, took a pay cut i started my hairdressing training and nearly 8 years later, i have my own business, doing a job i love and earning good money.

So i would recommend going with your heart on this one....hairdressing is a fabulous profession to be in and contrary to alot of peoples beliefs, there is a lot of study and learning involved.

Work hard, have high standards and most importantly enjoy it!

xXx

 

[Alex-Lydia]

Hi r-m,

You sound like just the right person to be a hairdresser - you have tried the work experience and liked it, I would now try to get a weekend/after school job in a salon, try the one you did w/experience in first, if no luck, try any local salons that look good. If you still like it after part time, ask about apprenticeships - it takes 2 years to get NVQ and be qualified and wages are approx £100 per week but if you are in a great salon the training you receive will make up for the low start wages and, as persianista says, qualified wages depend on which area you work in, they can be high, low and everything in between. Remember its all about good training, hairdressing is a great career with lots of opportunities, and its up to you go for them - Good luck and enjoy x

 

[capacape]

Hi

If this is where your heart is then go for it .:green:

Some salons can offer their own training offering apprenticeships with in house training up to a level 3 and others are where you can sign up in college for one day a week and do the other four days at a salon . Both of these appear to pay as the other guys have said around 2.50 an hour but the long term rewards are really worth it and you will have a skill for life that people will always want.

I'd have a chat with your local college and see what they offer and also a few salons local to you with their own training academies . Having a broad idea of what is on offer will help you make the right choice where you feel most comfortable

all the very best go for it

 

[Lamaur man]

The great thing about hairdressing is that it operates at many different levels. The common misconception is that it is low paid.
A stylist in a small back street salon will not earn a fortune, but a stylist in a big city salon will earn about the same as a teacher or similar professional. A salon owner or session stylist more again. So yes you will earn enough to buy a house.

Hairdressing is a meritocracy, how far you go depends only on your talent and work ethic.
People who denigrate the industry such as teachers etc know nothing. Would you compare Gordon Ramsey with the pizza cook at your local pizza express? Both are chefs!

So true and well said persianista.

 

[HairSquared]

I did the same thing, trained in a job I hated because it was the 'smart' thing to do.....all it did was cost me time, energy and stress:irked:
I followed my own path years later, own my own salon, and rarely does what I do ever feel like work:hug: Love your job and you cant go wrong!