Hair Professional Apprenticeship

Summary

Are you ready to turn your passion for hair into a profession? James Bushall Salons are offering an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated individual to begin their journey in the hair industry. You will work towards a nationally recognised qualification while gaining valuable experience in a professional salon environment.

Wage

£12,480 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Training course

Hairdressing professional (level 2)

Hours

Days and hours will be confirmed by the employer. Minimum 30 hours per week, Maximum 40 hours per week. Includes Saturdays.

30 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

1 year 4 months

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Apprentices beginning their Hair Professional Apprenticeship may be expected to carry out a variety of tasks, including:

• Shampooing clients’ hair and applying treatments
• Blow-drying and basic styling
• Assisting senior stylists and other team members
• Providing front-of-house support, including greeting clients and managing bookings
• Carrying out general salon duties to maintain cleanliness and organisation

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

• The Mailbox, 65 Wharfside Street, Birmingham, B1 1RE
• 7 Calthorpe Road, Cropthorne Court, Edgbaston, B15 1QJ
• 55 MILL LANE, SOLIHULL, B91 3AT

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

FRANCESCO GROUP (HOLDINGS) LIMITED

Training course

Hairdressing professional (level 2)

What you'll learn

• Adhere to legal and organisational requirements for the safe use of products, tools, materials and equipment.
• Apply safe, hygienic, and effective methods of working and infection control, while completing hairdressing services.
• Use communication and etiquette that meets industry requirements, suits and is appropriate to the organisation.
• Maintain the client’s confidentiality and comfort (modesty, privacy) at the start and during the service.
• Advise clients (new and regular) pre, during and after service on the maintenance of the look, complementary services and retail products available in the salon.
• Promote yourself, your organisation, products and services via a variety of social channels.
• Carry out wider salon duties to support the salon business (e.g. services, bookings, payments, retail, upselling and sales).
• Use a range of products, tools, equipment used in Hairdressing services in accordance with legal organisational requirements.
• Complete and maintain client records in accordance with legal and organisational requirements.
• Work as part of a team to support the salon businesses.
• Use working methods that promote environmental and sustainable working practices.
• Carry out a consultation, examine and analyse the hair, skin and scalp and complete relevant industry tests (e.g. hair classification type and characteristics tests).
• Identify (question/observation) any contraindications or limiting factors that are likely to affect or influence the service.
• Shampoo, condition and treat the hair and scalp.
• Dry and finish hair using a range of techniques to create a range of looks, that meets the intended shape, direction, balance and volume agreed with the client.
• Use current setting and dressing techniques to create a range of looks that meets the intended shape, direction, balance, and volume agreed with the client.
• Cut hair using a range of technical skills and cutting techniques to create a range of looks, considering weight distribution, cutting angles, balance and degree of graduation, and the natural growth patterns of the hair, length of the hair ( club cutting, scissor over comb, clipper over comb, texturising, freehand, thinning, layering and razor cutting).
• Restyle hair to create a personalised short or medium (above the shoulder) length hair cut, changing the shape, length and style hair using a range of cutting techniques.
• Complete a range of hair colouring and lightening services to change the depth and tone using current colouring techniques (e.g. freehand techniques, woven highlights or lowlights, root re-touch, half head and full head application, temporary, semi-permanent, demi- permanent, quasi-permanent, permanent colour and lighteners).
• Evaluate the results of the service.
• Adhere to legal and organisational requirements for the safe use of products, tools, materials and equipment.
• Apply safe, hygienic, and effective methods of working and infection control, while completing hairdressing services.
• Use communication and etiquette that meets industry requirements, suits and is appropriate to the organisation.
• Maintain the client’s confidentiality and comfort (modesty, privacy) at the start and during the service.
• Advise clients (new and regular) pre, during and after service on the maintenance of the look, complementary services and retail products available in the salon.
• Promote yourself, your organisation, products and services via a variety of social channels.
• Carry out wider salon duties to support the salon business (e.g. services, bookings, payments, retail, upselling and sales).
• Use a range of products, tools, equipment used in Hairdressing services in accordance with legal organisational requirements.
• Complete and maintain client records in accordance with legal and organisational requirements.
• Work as part of a team to support the salon businesses.
• Use working methods that promote environmental and sustainable working practices.
• Carry out a consultation, examine and analyse the hair, skin and scalp and complete relevant industry tests (e.g. hair classification type and characteristics tests).
• Identify (question/observation) any contraindications or limiting factors that are likely to affect or influence the service.
• Shampoo, condition and treat the hair and scalp.
• Dry and finish hair using a range of techniques to create a range of looks, that meets the intended shape, direction, balance and volume agreed with the client.
• Use current setting and dressing techniques to create a range of looks that meets the intended shape, direction, balance, and volume agreed with the client.
• Cut hair using a range of technical skills and cutting techniques to create a range of looks, considering weight distribution, cutting angles, balance and degree of graduation, and the natural growth patterns of the hair, length of the hair ( club cutting, scissor over comb, clipper over comb, texturising, freehand, thinning, layering and razor cutting).
• Restyle hair to create a personalised short or medium (above the shoulder) length hair cut, changing the shape, length and style hair using a range of cutting techniques.
• Complete a range of hair colouring and lightening services to change the depth and tone using current colouring techniques (e.g. freehand techniques, woven highlights or lowlights, root re-touch, half head and full head application, temporary, semi-permanent, demi- permanent, quasi-permanent, permanent colour and lighteners).
• Evaluate the results of the service.

Training schedule

VTCT will award your Hair Professional qualification, which is a nationally recognised Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing. Throughout your apprenticeship, you will gain the essential skills and experience needed to begin your career in the hair industry.

During your apprenticeship, you will receive:

• Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing
• Functional Skills in English and maths at Level 1 or 2 (if required)
• Francesco Group Business Enterprise Project

All training is work-based and delivered within a reputable commercial salon, where you will work as part of the salon team. You will also benefit from dedicated training sessions at the Francesco Hair state-of-the-art academy located in Birmingham City Centre, 10 minutes walk from New Street Station

Course Content Includes:

• Client care and consultation
• Shampooing, conditioning, and treating hair
• Ladies’ cutting techniques
• Hair colouring
• Styling and finishing hair   

You will also complete one optional unit from the following:

• Perming hair
• Relaxing hair

Academy Training:

You will attend our modern training academy in Birmingham City Centre once a week. The academy mirrors the environment of a professional salon and includes:

• Fully equipped training salons
• Interactive lecture rooms and digital presentation tools
• Laptops and internet access for independent learning
• One-to-one support sessions to guide your progress

To ensure you stay on track, progress reviews will take place every twelve weeks at your salon with your employer and an academy representative.

Requirements

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Communication skills
• Customer care skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Initiative
• Smart appearance
• Passion for hairdressing
• Positive and friendly attitude
• Dedication

Other requirements

Working as an apprentice in the hairdressing industry is not always glamorous - there are everyday tasks that everyone, at every level, is expected to do.

While you will have dedicated time to learn and develop your hairdressing skills, a large part of your role will involve supporting and assisting other team members to ensure the salon runs smoothly.

As an apprentice, you will often be the first person clients meet, so taking pride in your appearance is essential. While individuality and personal style are encouraged, maintaining a smart and professional appearance is important.

You should also be prepared to work Saturdays and late evenings, as these are key working times within the hairdressing industry.

The salon environment is fast-paced and ever-changing, so staying alert, enthusiastic, and proactive is vital.