Hairdressing is a global profession that offers many opportunities for talented individuals who wish to work with their hands in a creative way.
As well as technical skills in cutting, styling and colouring you need good people skills. There is great variety in the role as each person is unique and will have different requests. Hairdressers work in a relaxed social environment where you will welcome new clients every day offering a personalised service to understand and meet their expectations.
Your expertise in creating new styles for special occasions or advising your clients when facing challenges such as illness can boost their confidence and wellbeing. Developing client relationships and seeing the impact of your work first-hand is very rewarding and satisfying.
The rise in new technologies and treatments in this expanding sector makes it an exciting time to consider a career in hairdressing. You should be eager to learn and enjoy keeping up to date. Developing your skills for new styles and trends brings a lot of variety and challenge to the role. Health and safety training, business knowledge, practical and technical skills have been Identified as key pillars for future professional development in the sector.
There are a wide variety of courses available from private and further education colleges. These include pre-apprenticeship courses, further education courses and apprenticeships.There are also options to study hairdressing with barbering or beauty therapy. The barbering industry has undergone rapid growth in recent years. Search for courses in hairdressing and barbering using the Course Finder tool here. In order to secure an apprenticeship you must first secure a contract with an employer where you will work for four days a week and attend college on the other day. Further information on a hairdressing apprenticeship is available here.
A qualification in hairdressing can open up many different career paths. As a qualified stylist you may choose to work in a salon, hotel and beauty spa or in the fashion, theatre or film industry. You may wish to set up your own business or freelance as a mobile hairdresser. Other options include salon management, education and training or sales representative for a product manufacturer.
If you would like to travel you can work on a cruise liner. Further information is available from Steiner International - Work on Cruise Ships - Working Abroad Magazine and Apply for Hairdresser Jobs - Luxury Cruise Ships | London Wellness Academy
The close relationships with your customers and the practical nature of hairdressing means that it can be both physically and emotionally demanding so you need to look after your own well-being. If you are a creative, sociable person you will enjoy meeting new people every day and gain great satisfaction in making your customers happy about the way they look.