National Hairdressing Training Academy - NHTA

Need a stylist but can't find one?

Are you struggling to find a skilled stylist for your salon? You're not alone! With the nationwide stylist shortage, many salon owners face similar challenges. Instead of waiting for the perfect stylist to walk through your door, why not invest in developing your own talent?

Training your own apprentices not only helps tailor their skills to meet your salon's high standards, but it also boosts your business's earnings. Many salons report that apprentices can cover their costs within just six months while also supporting other stylists in generating more revenue.

If you're interested in finding out how we can assist you in bringing an apprentice on board, don’t hesitate to reach out! Contact us at 0115 969 1650 or via email at [email protected]. Together, we can build a bright future for your salon!

Golden rules for looking after your hair.

Tip 6 – Book regularly with your hairdresser or barber!

A regular haircut from a hairdresser or barber benefits your hair by preventing split ends, reducing breakage, promoting healthy hair growth, improving hair texture, making it easier to manage, and maintaining your desired hairstyle, ultimately leading to a healthier and better-looking mane…. To name a few!

Key benefits of regular haircuts:
Reduces split ends:
By trimming off damaged ends, a regular haircut prevents further splitting and breakage, making your hair appear thicker and healthier.

Promotes hair growth:
Removing damaged ends allows new, healthy hair to grow in its place, stimulating hair growth.

Improves hair texture:
Regular trims can remove dry, rough ends, resulting in smoother, more manageable hair with less frizz.

Maintains hairstyle:
For certain styles like layers or bobs, regular haircuts help maintain the desired shape and prevent the style from becoming unkempt.

Easier to manage:
Hair that is regularly trimmed is less prone to tangles and is easier to style.

Appearance boost:
A fresh haircut can significantly improve your appearance and boost your confidence. As well as a well-deserved treat and time to destress during your appointment.

Hairdressers and barbers really are wonderful!

Top 10 benefits of a hairdressing and barbering apprenticeship

Need some convincing reasons to be a hairdresser or barber? Whether you're not sure yourself or you need some good reasons to convince your parents or teachers that it's a winning career, we're here to help.

10 Reasons To Become a Hairdresser or Barber...

1. You can see the world
The hairdressing industry is a truly global job and as long as you've got your scissors and your comb, you can pretty much work anywhere. Check out The Nomad Barber's videos or inspiring humanit-HAIR-rian Mark Bustos' Instagram if you need some convincing of how far this trade can take you. If you want to stay based in the UK, there are still lots of opportunities to travel further afield. Most product manufacturers and hairdressing organisations hold conferences, training and shows internationally and you're encouraged to take part in these events. Not only are they a chance to see the world, but they'll also give you the chance to learn more about how hairdressing/barbering works abroad, network with other hairdressers and see what trends and techniques are trending across the globe.

2. You'll always have a job
Even in tough economic times, people need to get their hair cut. In terms of job security, hairdressers and undertakers are pretty much guaranteed a job for life! Keep up your training and education, stay up to speed with trends and grow your network, and you'll never be short of work.

3. You can earn good money
Most people get into hairdressing and barbering because they love it, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't be earning a good salary at the same time.

4. It's one of the happiest jobs in the world
Hairdressing and barbering is routinely voted as one of the happiest jobs in the world, winning votes for job satisfaction, creativity and getting to use your skills every day. Pleasing clients and producing beautiful results can be great for your self-esteem, proving your talent to yourself every day!

5. There are plenty of opportunities to make a name for yourself
There are loads of competitions in the hair industry to help you make a name for yourself. Whether it's on a local or international scale, there's no shortage of opportunities to compete against your contemporaries and show how good you really are. As well as getting known in the press and the industry, winning also comes with big prizes - from money to training to world travel. And once you've won those prizes and people know who you are? Opportunities to do photoshoots and stagework or to be an ambassador or educator for a brand are plentiful and often come with the win.

6. You meet some amazing people
Whether you're based in the salon or barbershop, the hair industry is one of the most sociable jobs in the world. You'll spend all day meeting people and making them feel amazing and when it comes to socialising within the industry, there's no shortage of events either.

7. Employees are willing to invest in your growth
Education is essential at every stage of your hairdressing and barbering career and it's one industry where your employees are willing to invest in your growth. From in-salon/barbershop sessions and small local training classes to international education events, keeping yourself up to speed with all things new makes you more appealing to clients and therefore a more valuable employee.

8. There's plenty of variety
There's no such thing as a 9-5 in the industry and it's safe to say that no day's the same. Each client in the chair presents a new challenge with their own unique requests and results.

9. You'll develop your interpersonal skills
If you think a hairdressing or barbering career starts and end with hair, you're in for a surprise. From client psychology and customer service to time management and balancing your finances, working as a hairdresser will teach you all matter of transferable skills to take out into the world. All of which will make you a great hairdresser, but all of which are also great life skills to learn if you do decide to go down another route - not to mention making you a better, more rounded individual. Ask a fellow hairdresser, they'll all tell you the same thing - take the plunge!

10. We can help you find your apprenticeship position where you will get paid a wage from the start

There are so many benefits to becoming an apprentice with NHTA for your hairdressing or barbering career.
Apprenticeships offer the chance to earn whilst you learn whilst building a successful career in the industry.

Start your career now;

If you want to apply for an apprenticeship in your area please go to our website - wwww.NHTA.org.uk/apply/

Or call us on 0115 969 1650 / DM 07458 300171 or [email protected]

Summer is coming - £0 Recruitment costs.

This is the most popular time of year to recruit your new apprentice.
We can help you recruit your next apprentice for free. We can work with you on what you need, what attributes you would like them to have and advertise on online websites (such as recruit an apprentice) and on socials.
We work with what you need. If you would like we can interview them on behalf of you before you see the candidates to ensure less time of yours is wasted.

If you would like more information on how we can support you with your next apprentice, just get in touch on 0115 969 1650 or [email protected]

There are so many benefits from getting an apprentice – here are the top 6!

Benefit 1 – Need a stylist but can’t find one?

Need a stylist for your salon? Struggling to find one?

Grow your own instead – to your own standards! Invest in your business now. There are known stylist shortages nationwide, this issue isn’t going to go away, get ahead of the curve and train your own.

Stats say that apprentices not only support other stylists to earn more money for your business but also can cover their own cost within 6 months.

Benefit 2 – Maximise your team

Maximise your stylist’s activity by utilising an apprentice for roles such as supporting stylists in the salon, at the backwash and blow drying. Freeing them up for the next client.

Benefit 3 - £1000 GRANT

For every 16-18 year old apprentice you employ you will be eligible for the government grant of £1000.

Yes – that’s one thousand pounds in your pocket and business.

Benefit 4 - apprentices are cost effective

At just £7.55 an hour for 16-18 year olds, for as little as 16 hours per week, they are still an affordable addition to your team.

For a 16-18 year old you could also be eligible for the employer grant of £1000.

Benefit 5 - £0 Recruitment costs

We can help you recruit your next apprentice for free. We can work with you on what you need, what attributes you would like them to have and advertise on online websites (such as recruit an apprentice) and on socials.
We work with what you need. If you would like we can interview them on behalf of you before you see the candidates to ensure less time of yours is wasted.

Benefit 6 – No NI on apprentices under 25

Employers are exempt from paying Class 1 National Insurance contributions (NI) for apprentices under 25, on earnings up to the Upper Earnings Limit (UEL), provided they are on an approved UK government apprenticeship standard.

Here's a more detailed explanation:
Exemption:
Employers do not need to pay secondary Class 1 (employer) NI contributions for apprentices under 25 on earnings up to the Upper Earnings Limit.

Eligibility:
To qualify for the exemption, the apprentice must:
Be under 25 years old.
Be on an approved UK government apprenticeship standard.
Earn less than £967 a week (or £50,270 a year).

This could save you up to £3000 a year in comparison with another member of staff!

If you would like more information on how we can support you with your next apprentice, just get in touch on 0115 969 1650 or [email protected]

Golden rules for looking after your hair.

Tip 5 – Use professional salon products where possible

Think of your hair like your skin - what you put on it will affect it. Investing in good quality products and tools will keep hair looking and feeling healthy and strong. Salon professional products ensure there are no hidden nasties and ensure quality results for your hair. They may be slightly more expensive but remember you often don’t need to use a lot of the product to get the best result so they can last longer than cheaper over the counter products. Ask your hairdresser or barber for hints, tips and recommendations and they will be happy to help.

Plus you are supporting your hairdresser/barber, their local business and doing right by your hair so it can look the best it can be… it’s a win win.

If you want to get as close to that salon finished look at home, then you need to be using the products the professionals use too.

What is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are genuine jobs that enable individuals to learn as they earn – getting paid the national apprentice minimum wage per hour.

Apprentices who successfully complete an apprenticeship are certified as having reached a level of competence which meets current industry standards and can flourish in the hair industry.
Anyone over the age of 16 can become an apprentice, including existing employees, where appropriate.

1. An apprenticeship is a real job
Available to individuals aged 16+ (with no upper age limit), apprentices are
typically employed for at least 30 hours per week.
There are thousands of apprenticeships in more than 170 industries.
Hairdressing Apprenticeships are available at levels 2 and 3 and Barbering at Level 2.

2. Apprenticeships usually last a minimum of 12 months
Hair and Barbering apprenticeships typically last between 15 months and two years for each level studied.
Most apprenticeships take between 1 - 4 years to complete. It will depend on
the level and delivery model of the apprenticeship.

3. Apprentices do not pay for their training
All apprenticeship costs are paid for by the employer and/or the government,
meaning that an apprentice will never have to pay for their training.

4. Apprentices will receive off-the-job learning:
the equivalent of 6 hours per week of an apprentice's paid time will be spent undertaking off-the-job learning, gaining valuable skills and qualifications. An apprentice learns their skill or profession through a combination of:

- On-the-job training with an employer; and
- Study with a training provider – that’s us!
- The majority of our learning is delivered right in your work place

5. Apprentices are paid a salary
All apprentices will earn a salary of at least the National Minimum Wage for
apprentices, which will increase to £8 per hour from April 2026.

Interested? Contact us now for more information on how you can start your hairdressing or barbering career on 0115 969 1650, 07458 300171 or [email protected]

✂️ Thinking of Hiring an Apprentice? 💇‍♂️💼

Want to know how an apprentice could benefit your barbershop or salon? Our NHTA experts are here to guide you every step of the way!

📅 Book a free consultation to learn more:
👉 Book your slot here
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