Grow your salon team with funded beauty & hair apprenticeships that actually deliver.
Cedars Training Academy takes the hassle out of hiring and training apprentices, handling everything from recruitment through to End-Point Assessment. We're backed by government funding and rated 'Good' by Ofsted, with over 21 years' experience in hair, beauty, nails and holistic therapy.
Develop talent behind the chair. Fill your columns. Keep your best people.
Whether you're recruiting new stylists and therapists or upskilling your existing team, apprenticeships give you industry-ready staff trained to your standards, in hairdressing, beauty therapy, nails and holistic therapy.
Develop Talent
Train apprentices on your floor, in your systems, with the techniques your clients expect.
Fill Your Columns
A steady pipeline of new stylists and therapists, ready to take clients as they qualify.
Cost-Effective Training
Train at any level, from entry to advanced, with government-funded training and cash incentives.
Raise Your Standards
Apprentices bring current techniques and trends learned alongside experienced tutors.
Increase Retention
Grow your own stylists and therapists from day one, and reduce costly recruitment and turnover.
We'll support you every step of the way
Training Needs Analysis
We assess your salon or clinic's goals and where an apprentice fits your team.
Recruitment Support
We advertise the role, screen candidates, and manage shortlisting for you.
Initial Assessments & Planning
Every apprentice is assessed to create a personalised learning plan.
Onboarding
We handle the enrolment paperwork and induction process.
Delivery
Off-the-job training at our Gloucester academy, on-the-job development in your salon or clinic, and functional skills in English/maths if required.
Regular Reviews
To track progress and ensure the programme delivers for both apprentice and employer.
End-Point Assessment (EPA)
A final assessment to confirm the apprentice meets the industry standard.
Government funds the majority of training costs
What you pay depends on whether you pay the apprenticeship levy. From 1 August 2026, the rates below apply to all new apprenticeship starts.
Smaller Employers (Non-Levy)
- From 1 August 2026, 100% funded if your apprentice is aged 16–24 at the start of training (or 15, if their 16th birthday falls between the last Friday of June and 31 August).
- Aged 25 or over: you pay 5% of the training cost, government pays the remaining 95%.
Large Employers (Levy Payers)
- Use your apprenticeship service account to fund training.
- From 1 August 2026, if your levy balance runs out, you pay 25% of the training cost, government pays the remaining 75%.
- From 1 August 2026, unused levy funds expire after 12 months if not spent.
Incentives you may be eligible for
The following are already available now, and you may be eligible for more than one at the same time.
Employer Support Payment
Paid in two equal instalments (day 90 and 1 year, or day 242 if under 12 months) for apprentices aged 16–18 (or 15, if their 16th birthday falls between the last Friday of June and 31 August), or aged under 25 with an EHC plan or a care leaver.
Foundation Apprenticeship Incentive
Paid in three equal instalments (day 90, day 242, and on progression to the next apprenticeship) for apprentices aged 16–21, or under 25 with an EHC plan, care leaver or prisoner/prison leaver status.
Care Leavers' Bursary
Available to care leavers under 25 starting an apprenticeship. It's paid directly to the apprentice, tax-free, and isn't counted as income for Universal Credit.
Youth Jobs Grant
Already open since 30 June 2026, for apprentices aged 18–24 who've been unemployed and on Universal Credit for 6+ months. It's paid directly to employers by DWP in two instalments: £1,800 after 6 weeks, then £1,200 after 18 weeks.
Apprenticeship Hiring Payment (new from 1 Oct 2026)
Non-levy employers recruiting a new apprentice aged 16–24 can claim £2,000, in two equal £1,000 instalments (day 90 and day 365, or day 242 if under 12 months). The apprentice must have joined within the 3 months before their apprenticeship starts. Claimed by your training provider and passed on to you.
National Insurance Relief
No employer National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25, which is an ongoing saving on top of the payments above.
Structural rules that apply across every apprenticeship
- Minimum Programme LengthAll apprenticeships must last at least 8 months.
- Fixed Off-the-Job HoursEvery apprenticeship standard has a fixed number of off-the-job training hours, regardless of the apprentice's weekly hours.
- English and MathsStill required for apprentices who don't already hold Level 2 (GCSE equivalent). For learners aged 19+, employers and apprentices can opt out where it's not relevant to the job role.
- Prior LearningIf an apprentice has already covered some content, we'll adjust the programme to reflect that, saving you time and funding.
- Monthly Learning ChecksFunctional skills (English/maths) learners must complete monthly learning activities to remain eligible.
- Client-Facing PracticeEmployers must provide apprentices with genuine opportunities to practise the full range of treatments and services required by their standard.
Apprenticeship programmes by discipline
We deliver apprenticeship training across the following disciplines from our Gloucester and Derby academies, accredited by VTCT and FHT, plus shorter professional development routes and Advanced Learner Loan-funded courses for teams who need something more targeted.
Need something shorter? Explore our accredited short courses, NVQs and Advanced Learner Loan-funded Diplomas for continuous professional development.
Beauty & hair apprenticeships, made hassle-free
With over 21 years' experience and academies in Gloucestershire and Derbyshire, we specialise in helping salons, clinics and beauty businesses recruit, train and retain talent through apprenticeship programmes built around your business.
- Apprenticeship Recruitment Support: we help you attract and select the right candidates for your salon or clinic.
- Streamlined Onboarding & Digital Paperwork: fast, paperless setup and compliance management.
- Progress Tracking & Regular Employer Updates: full visibility into your apprentices' learning journey.
- VTCT & FHT-Accredited Training: hands-on teaching with professional products and industry-standard techniques.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to hire an apprentice?
It depends on whether you pay the apprenticeship levy. From 1 August 2026, non-levy employers pay just 5% of training costs, or nothing at all for apprentices aged 16–24, and government covers the rest. Levy-paying employers use their apprenticeship service account, topping up with 25% co-investment only if their levy balance runs out.
What is the apprenticeship levy?
The apprenticeship levy is a fund that larger UK employers pay into and use to cover the cost of apprenticeship training and assessment. Funds are held in a digital apprenticeship service account and must be used within 12 months or they expire.
How long does a hairdressing or beauty apprenticeship take?
Apprenticeships must run for a minimum of 8 months, with the total length depending on the level and standard. Our Level 2 and Level 3 hairdressing programmes typically run 22 months, and a fast-track route of 9 months is available subject to prior learning and employer agreement.
What funding is available for hiring young apprentices?
Non-levy employers can access 100% funded training for apprentices aged 16–24, plus up to four separate cash incentives depending on the apprentice's circumstances: a £1,000 employer payment, a £2,000 Foundation Apprenticeship incentive, a £2,000 hiring payment for new 16–24 year old starters (from October 2026), and a £3,000 Care Leavers' Bursary. You can claim more than one at the same time.
Do I have to pay an apprentice the National Minimum Wage?
Yes, apprentices must be paid at least the minimum wage that applies to their age and apprenticeship year.
Which disciplines do you offer apprenticeships in?
Hairdressing, barbering, beauty therapy, nail technology and holistic/complementary therapy, alongside business admin, customer service, team leading and operations management apprenticeships to support the wider running of your salon or clinic.
Is there a new hiring grant for small employers?
Yes. From 1 October 2026, non-levy employers can claim a £2,000 Apprenticeship Hiring Payment when recruiting a new apprentice aged 16–24, provided the apprentice joined the organisation within the 3 months before their apprenticeship starts. It's paid in two equal £1,000 instalments, at day 90 and day 365 of the apprenticeship.
What is the Youth Jobs Grant?
It's a £3,000 payment for employers who hire an 18–24 year old apprentice who has been unemployed and on Universal Credit for 6 months or more. It's already open, having launched on 30 June 2026. Unlike the other payments, it's paid directly to you by DWP rather than through your training provider, in two instalments: £1,800 after 6 weeks and £1,200 after 18 weeks.
Start building your salon's future team
Tell us about your salon, clinic or business and we'll come back to you with a tailored apprenticeship and funding plan.