What a Hair & Beauty Apprenticeship Is Really Like: Training, Pay, and Day-to-Day Life
Thinking about a hair or beauty apprenticeship? It helps to know what the week actually looks like, not just the brochure version.
This guide explains how apprenticeships usually work in salons and spas: the job, academy training, pay, and what a normal week feels like. It is written for school leavers and career starters considering hairdressing, beauty therapy, nails, or holistic therapy.
Ready to see how this looks at Cedars Training Academy? Read on, then get in touch when you're ready.
What an Apprenticeship Actually Is
An apprenticeship is a real job with structured training. You:
- Work for a salon, spa, or clinic
- Get paid while you learn
- Train towards an industry apprenticeship standard
- Split your time between the workplace and off-the-job training
You are not only "on a course." You are part of a team, with clients, rotas, and expectations, while building the skills to qualify.
At Cedars Training Academy, training is typically delivered one day a week at our Gloucester academy, with the rest of your learning happening in the workplace.
What Your Day-to-Day Job Looks Like
No two salons are identical, but most apprentices share a similar rhythm.
Early on, you may:
- Prepare stations and support seniors
- Meet and settle clients
- Observe treatments and techniques
- Practise basic skills under supervision
- Help with salon standards, product knowledge, and hygiene
As you progress, you usually:
- Take on more client work
- Build confidence with a wider range of services
- Work more independently (still with support)
- Prepare for assessments and End-Point Assessment (EPA)
The best apprenticeships give you real practice, not only observation. You should get chances to develop the full range of skills in your standard, not just "junior jobs" forever.
What Academy Training Is Like
Off-the-job training is where techniques are taught in a structured way. At Cedars, that often means:
- Small classes (typically 6-8 learners)
- Hands-on practical sessions
- Tutor support and clear learning plans
- Theory linked to real salon work
- English and maths support if you still need it
Many hair, beauty, and holistic pathways currently run around 8-9 months, depending on the programme, plus End-Point Assessment where required. Exact length depends on the standard and your starting point.
A useful way to think about it:
Salon days
- Real clients, real pace, real workplace habits
Academy days
- Focused skill-building, feedback, and progression
Both matter. One without the other makes the apprenticeship harder.
What a Typical Week Looks Like
Every rota is different, but a common pattern looks like this:
| Part of the week | What you do |
|---|---|
| Most days | Work in your salon/spa with your team |
| Academy day | Practical and theory training with your tutor |
| Ongoing | Practise skills at work, complete learning tasks, prepare for reviews |
| Regularly | Progress reviews with your employer and training provider |
It is busy. You are learning a trade and holding a job at the same time. That is also why apprenticeships can feel more "real" than full-time classroom study alone.
Pay: What Apprentices Usually Earn
- Your wage is paid by your employer, not the training provider
- Pay can rise as you gain experience or move past the first year, depending on your age and role
- Tips and commission policies vary by salon, so ask at interview
When you compare apprenticeships with unpaid "experience," the paid employment side is one of the biggest advantages.
There is usually no course fee for the apprentice. Training is supported through government apprenticeship funding arranged with your employer and provider. Source: GOV.UK National Minimum Wage rates
Who This Route Suits
A strong fit if you:
- Prefer learning by doing
- Enjoy people-facing work
- Want a career path, not only a short course
- Are ready for early starts, busy days, and professional standards
May feel harder if you expect:
- A fully classroom-only timetable
- Qualified-level responsibility in week one
- No pressure on presentation, punctuality, or teamwork
Salons notice attitude quickly. Reliability, willingness to learn, and client care often matter as much as natural talent at the start.
Hair, Beauty, Nails, or Holistic?
Choose the pathway that matches the work you actually want to do:
Cutting, styling, colour support, and salon floor skills.
Hairdressing Professional L2 ↗Treatments, skin care, and client consultation.
Beauty Therapist L2 ↗Manicure, pedicure, and nail services. Ask the Cedars team about current availability.
Spa-style and complementary therapy routes.
Holistic Therapist L3 ↗If you are unsure, talk it through before you apply. The right pathway makes day-to-day life much clearer.
What Employers Usually Look For
You do not always need previous salon experience for Level 2. What helps most:
- Good communication
- Smart presentation
- Reliability and timekeeping
- Willingness to practise
- A calm, professional manner with clients
If you can show those at interview, you are already ahead.
Common Questions
Do I need GCSEs?
Entry requirements vary. English and maths support may still be part of your programme if you do not already hold the required levels.
Will I work on real clients?
Yes, that is a core part of apprenticeship learning. You should get supervised, progressive client experience.
Is it only for school leavers?
No. Career starters and career-changers can also apply if they meet the apprenticeship rules.
What happens at the end?
You complete training and then the End-Point Assessment (EPA), which checks that you meet the industry standard. After that, many apprentices move into stronger junior or qualified roles with their employer or progress to a higher level.
Is It Worth It?
If you want a hands-on career in hair or beauty, an apprenticeship gives you three things at once: a job, a wage, and a structured route to qualify.
The days can be full. The learning curve is real. But for many people, that mix of salon life and academy training is exactly what makes the route work.
Talk to Cedars Training Academy
If you want to explore hair, beauty, nails, or holistic apprenticeships with Cedars Training Academy, our team can talk through pathways, next intakes, and what to expect.
Enquire about an apprenticeship Explore beauty & hair trainingCedars Training Academy is helping school leavers and career starters begin a real career in hair and beauty.
