Retraining to be a hairdresser aged 36

[dreambigworkhard]

I'm seriously considering a career change from teaching to hairdressing and have been looking at hairdressing courses at local colleges. I have a young family but am not afraid of long hours and hard work. I've already completed some part time nvq nail courses and have had a few clients doing this as a sideline mobile business which I've LOVED. I'm also interested in doing lash extension courses. I'm prepared to start at the beginning!! What are my training options? Is part-time training working/training an option? Is it possible to do this whilst raising a young family? I would love to hear realistic experiences of this?? Thank you x

 

[jamiereid92]

It is possible to have work based training but you will be paid an apprentice wage for the first year £3.70 an hour. This is best option because you will learn so much more in salon [emoji4]

However, if you went to college 3 days a week you would be paid 0 and have to pay for the course.

Good Luck either way x

 

[AcidPerm]

I think an apprenticeship in a salon is very good training (especially for younger employees) in that you’re immersed in hairdressing around 5 days a week but it will take longer to become qualified and you’ll spend a lot of time standing watching and cleaning initially.

If you go to college, you will complete your level 2 in about 9 months and theoretically could look for work in a salon or go straight on to do level 3. Realistically, you will have accrued some basic theory but hairdressing is very much a practical skill based craft and it’s a wide range of practical experience that you need to obtain. If you can find a salon willing to let you volunteer either during or after you’ve completed level 2, that would be an excellent compromise.

In my 40’s, I did my level 2 then straight to level 3 at college followed by lots of additional short courses to increase my knowledge but it took a while before I felt reasonably confident working on my own. If you can afford it, I’d strongly recommend any of the Sassoon Academy courses. They’re just fantastic and the teaching is excellent.

As with any training, a lot depends on the quality of the trainer, as you’d know only too well.

 

[dreambigworkhard]

Thank you so much for your advice. I have already applied to a local college for a full time Level 2 course which takes a year. This seemed to make the most sense!

How many hours a week does the course actually take up? Is it literally full time each day or can I work part time hours around the course?

Thanks

 

[rubywoo]

Most "full time" beauty courses are 2 - 3 days a week. I'm not so sure about hairdressing. Give the college a call.

 

[AcidPerm]

Give the college a call and ask them what this years timetable was as it should give you an idea, although timetables change according to staff availability.

Mine was a fast track course and only 1 day a week but my tutor for level 3 knew I wanted to complete it quickly so she let me join her other level 3 groups when they were in the college salon doing their practicals, so I generally did 2-3 days a week and I was always had clients booked in.