Too old for an apprenticeship

[Miss Hair]

I have a question! I would really like an honest opinion either positive or negative!
I had plans to go to full time college which is 3 days a week and then volunteer in a salon unpaid for 2 or 3 days a week I planned on doing this for 2 years while I do level 2 and 3! Is that good enough and would I stand a chance at becoming a hairdresser learning that way? There are loads of salons where I live there's about 30 in a 5 mile radius of my house so its not like I'm in a sleepy little village with 1 hairdressers so I would of hoped at least 1 salon would be willing to take me on for free! This just seemed to be the best option but I would really appreciate any thoughts even if they are bad x

 

[DebCam]

(Perhaps there could be changes so that older trainees could opt out of min wage for a while to allow salons to afford them?)
I've read a few posts of this nature recently and no one has mentioned this..but i thought a new law had been passed on 1st oct last year that anyone over the age of 19 could be paid an apprentice wage of £2.50 an hour but only in the 1st year of the apprenticeship..i don't know if there's any rules regarding what level nvq you'd be training at...but surely this is a step in the right direction??

 

[soosh]

I employ lots of people in hairdressing. Have been in hair salons for 26 years and really do speak from experience.

The left wing, almost communist attitudes on this site at times really blow me away!!

FREE EVERYTHING FOR EVERYONE!! YAY!!

Can I go and get a free degree, and have all my living expenses paid please? Tis my hoomin right!

Persianista, with all the respect but I think you are far too aggressive in these replies.. Nobody said it wants something for free and I didn't expect to have my expenses paid. I said the contratry, that I am willing to do some sacrifice to pay for everything with those £95/week.
And...I hate to disagree with you, but the communist wing says WORK FOR EVERYONE! it's only the democracy who started to pay benefits to people.

 

[soosh]

Thank you all for your kind replies! I do understand that salons can't afford and I would really like to be able to opt out of min wage, if this is the solution to all the problems! )
Wasn't it better when you had to pay £100 weekly to be apprenticed in a salon? At least you knew that you really wanted to do that if you were willing to pay that much for it.
I remember a while ago, two of my hairdressing peers had applied for an apprentice position in a salon. After 2 weeks, they came back to college, saying that they will never clean the loos and being a slave in a salon was not for them. Funny enough, shortly after, I've applied for the same position but nobody called me for the interview. When requested a feedback, they said it's due to the age matter, because they couldn't afford me( mind you, a global salon).I would have polished those loos and made sure they were the most sparkiling loos they'd ever seen.

I didn't want to scare anybody, deep down I do believe that if you work hard and keep on knocking at doors and persevere, something will turn up for you. And you know, your odds go up when you file an application.

 

[persianista]

I started out volunteering one day a week in a salon in london. That grew into holiday cover when they needed it, and eventually a full time stylists job. After that I switched salons and rose up through the ranks to manager. The rest is history.

It has never been easy. At the moment it is difficult for everyone in our trade because of poorly thought out laws plus the recession. A foot in the door any old how is definately the way forward!

I am actually trying to recruit an apprentice at the moment, and beleive it or not, it is really difficult.

 

[MorganDazzle]

I started out volunteering one day a week in a salon in london. That grew into holiday cover when they needed it, and eventually a full time stylists job. After that I switched salons and rose up through the ranks to manager. The rest is history.

It has never been easy. At the moment it is difficult for everyone in our trade because of poorly thought out laws plus the recession. A foot in the door any old how is definately the way forward!

I am actually trying to recruit an apprentice at the moment, and beleive it or not, it is really difficult.

I think im going to start applying for voluntary work in local salons, i really want to get that essential experience under my belt. Good to hear a success story starting from that same place.

 

[hartey]

I have a question! I would really like an honest opinion either positive or negative!
I had plans to go to full time college which is 3 days a week and then volunteer in a salon unpaid for 2 or 3 days a week I planned on doing this for 2 years while I do level 2 and 3! Is that good enough and would I stand a chance at becoming a hairdresser learning that way? There are loads of salons where I live there's about 30 in a 5 mile radius of my house so its not like I'm in a sleepy little village with 1 hairdressers so I would of hoped at least 1 salon would be willing to take me on for free! This just seemed to be the best option but I would really appreciate any thoughts even if they are bad x

This is an ideal way of getting into the trade, like I said I have 2 "volunteers" whom get a weekly "bonus" too!
As soon as I can afford to employ them properly I will!

 

[Lovebeauty14]

It wasn't directed at the op. It was in agreement with the post I quoted, obviously.

Well, if you read the whole thread which I'm assuming anyone commenting on here would, the post you commented on was commenting on another post which originated from another post coming from the OP, and she was the only one who mentioned having a degree on the whole thread. So unless the poster of which comment you quoted was just posting random thoughts not relating to anything mentioned on this thread, I'm afraid your comment was directed at the OP.

 

[Missymoo123]

Hi geeks, I am really upset about this matter and hopefully you might have a piece of advice for me..

I am 23y and I've finished Level 1 in Hairdressing. Everything well, I loved it to bits, got the Student of the Year award. (this while doing another course, volunteering and having a job). I am really determined to become a successful hairdresser and I moved to the UK only for this reason...I've got a degree back home in another subject, but I left everything and everybody just to do this,kept saying in mind that Sassoon was poor in his early life, and look at him now!
I have realised that taking only your nvqs is not enough and you need some salon experience, so I said...I could be an apprentice, bearing the poor wedge and long hours and the routine tasks.
I've made a perfect CV, happy that I have some good working experience and good achievements in my life so far, and applied in ALL the salons in my city and in the city nearby. But after speaking with many people and a few salon managers I've found out that I am...too old. Because they'll have to pay me, in the 2nd year with the NMW. And, because of this, they didn't even offer me the chance of an interview.
I am very sad and dissapointed...I could have done anything to work in a salon and do my best, as I have a very good work ethic and I am brilliant at customer services, but most of all I am passionate and determined. I really don't care about the money, I could eat tinned soup for one year and never buy any clothes and things ( call that a sacrifice!).
I really don't know what to do now, I mean, ok, I'll go to college, but it's not the same... it's really boring and not challenging and I am stuck with young people without any ideas about their future or any motivation of any kind. And what am I going to do after I take all my qualifications, if I got no working experience in this domain?
I feel that it's so unfair....I can change things, improve them, widen my skills, become better...but I can't change my age!
What do you think about all this apprenticeship situation? (sorry for the long post).

Wow, this is a heated post! I'm not so sure you know that the problem lies only in hairdressing... ANY industry is proving really difficult to get into at the moment for someone who has little practical experience unless you are a school leaver etc, it would seem ( that is speaking from personal experience, although i could be wrong so please don't quote me lol. )

You say you are willing to sacrifice to get experience in a salon, have you considered unpaid work? I guess at the end of the day, whether paid or unpaid, experience is experience.
If it were me and i had my heart set on a certain career, my approach would be to draw up a letter to send to salons offering my services unpaid, whilst also keeping down a day job to get you your bread money or something that fits in with college studies or whatever, until the day comes where you are in a position to say you have the needed experience and skills to work in a salon on the actual payroll.

You say you are stuck with young people at college, but then you will probably come across this in the work place too. I know quite a few young girls who have been doing hairdressing since they left school, so i wouldn't say they are all like that... a lot of middle-aged women in this world still don't know what they want to do in life either. You are lucky that you have discovered now what it is you want to do. And i guess at the end of the day, these young people are probably in the same boat you were when you embarked upon a degree in something which you no longer wish to pursue? If college is your only option, then unfortunately you may just have to put up with it, take a positive attitude

I know its frustrating, i'm in the same boat you are, but instead of focusing on the one area that doesn't seem to be giving you want you want career wise, why not look at other approaches?

The problem is with apprenticeships is that they are run by the government, they put into place the rules, not the salons.. so unfortunately unless something changes there is nothing you can do but try a different angle.

Don't give up if it is something you long to do, try not to be disheartened although easier said than done, i know. i hope you do find success.

 

[soosh]

Thank you all! I haven't got the time to reply to each of your posts, but I've read them all and I have started to consider more and more the idea of volunteering in a salon!
Thank you Missymoo123, I guess I should be more zen and hope for the best . Best of luck to u as well!

 

[soosh]

I would say the same! If you have the chance, go for it! I think it does brilliant on your CV and it works well on your confidence with the clients and within a busy environment. Plus, volunteering your free time shows determiantion and dedication and most of the salon managers will appreciate it and maybe one day offer u a job. Let us know how it went!

 

[tenbysarah]

Hey guys, been reading this interesting thread and i wanted to reply and give a little hope..

I tried a few different jobs and didnt feel happy and went studying in uni before starting my hairdressing apprenticeship this Feb 2011, im 26. First time in years I am really happy with my job/study.

It wasnt easy finding somebody to take me on at my age, i approached salons had a cracking CV and showed alot of enthusiasm but many said they wouldnt take me on because of my age - i was too old. gutted.

I have managed now to find a salon, i work 40 hours a week for £3 an hour I am half way through my NVQ2 and we also have to do NVQ3. I have to drive 25 miles to get there and 25 miles back, most of my wages go on fuel and parking. Im not 100percent sure if i do get paid NMW after i have been there a year? if anybody knows this could they reply to me as something Id like to know about thanks...but im defo not on NMW now which isnt breaking any law im sure....

I know the money isnt great but I really dont mind cos I love my job, my boss is great and so are the stylists, im determined more than ever to get through it the best I can, im not scared to help sell retail products and my boss is very happy with my progress. i practice on my dolls head a few times after work at night like putting foils in putting hair up etc...i have bought loads of books i practice on my mum and friends etc (u get the idea)
but after a year i will surly already be a colour tech cos we qualify as colour techs once we have done all colouring units then go on to be stylists after we have completed nvq 2 n 3, which means i will be making the salon more money then...(and when i get paid NMW???)

So there is hope, it did take me ages though to find somebody to want me, otherwise you could always go to college september do a fullt ime course and have a part time job to keep your finances/living costs going...i nearly almost considered going to the saks academy and taking out a loan for £8k just so i could qualify then ask salons to take me on a graduate stylist/apprentice then??? but i can understand from the salons perspective esp in these hard times but u mustnt give up -----its your dream, keep going, volunteer and see what it leads into perhaps...good luck hunny. x

 

[charlottie]

You know what i cant stand about some people on here ..... its like because u never decided to become a hairdresser the day u left school thats it ! it aint happening ! i know SOME people are only trying to let others know that it is not easy ! but some on here are rude ! people come on here for advice and help not a response thats just slating and putting them into depression! somethings need to be left unsaid ! and the people that have their salons and that have been doing it for 26 years good for you ! but stop putting down the people that are trying to make it down ! so god damn negative it makes me sick! people told me this sight was bxtchy and god they were right!

p.s for the person who started this post ! good luck with it all and i wish you all the best ! everyone deserves atleast one chance!

 

[naturalnails]

Every day now we are having to intervene in threads which degenerate into slanging matches.

Please stop using the b*tch word, it has no place here.

This site is about learning and sharing with professionals! Where else would you be able to get sound business advice for free from people who have been there, done that and are proudly still wearing the t-shirts.

Picture yourself walking into Dragon's Den with your proposal to join whatever industry you are looking to join - you are up against the laws of the country, which you may not have researched, you havent worked the math out and the Dragons all say the sort of things that have been said on here - what will you do?

Strop off and call them all bitchy and rude or actually take on board their sound advice with the spirit in which it is given.

Stop confusing passion and honest down to earth help, with bitching and rudeness. It would be much easier for those in successful businesses to ignore your questions and offer no help whatsoever and watch you flounder, but they dont, they offer help.

The bitter pill is always the hardest to swallow, but generally the one which does you most good!

 

[persianista]

You know what i cant stand about some people on here ..... its like because u never decided to become a hairdresser the day u left school thats it ! it aint happening ! i know SOME people are only trying to let others know that it is not easy ! but some on here are rude ! people come on here for advice and help not a response thats just slating and putting them into depression! somethings need to be left unsaid ! and the people that have their salons and that have been doing it for 26 years good for you ! but stop putting down the people that are trying to make it down ! so god damn negative it makes me sick! people told me this sight was bxtchy and god they were right!

p.s for the person who started this post ! good luck with it all and i wish you all the best ! everyone deserves atleast one chance!

Dearie me! That was aimed at me no doubt.

You go into whatever trade you want to, as should everyone on this thread. I am not stopping anybody doing anything. Me being a hairdresser doesn't stop you or anyone else being a hairdresser if thats what you wish to be.

Tell you what, I will lie to you. It will be really easy to find a salon who is desperate to train you. Expect top money and you will be a top stylist in about a fortnight.

That better?

 

[charlottie]

obviously you never read it correctly and again just ranting ! as i said i can APPRECIATE people saying its not easy and that its hard not everyone makes it ! i have stated this already ! wat i DO NOT agree with is the negativity 'well tough luck u should have decided to do it when u were younger ' attitude ! no ones asking for them kind of comments im sure uve heard the saying 'if you havent got anything nice to say dont say anything ! this comes to my thoughts with threads like this! i wasnt directing at just you but if u think that ok!

 

[naturalnails]

Enough!

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