Hairdressing can be described as an international career. At Totton College not only will you learn the theory behind hairdressing but also the practical’s of the hair industry from our industry expert teachers. Equipping you with the skills to either seek further training or employment. With a hairdressing career, there are many pathways that can be pursued. From traveling around the world, working in a number of employment destinations such as hairdressing salons, hotels or cruise ships, the fashion industry and more, to touring with a theatre company, to further study or even an apprenticeship. There are lots of paths in hairdressing.
Job Options
Job roles in the hairdressing industry can include the following:
- Hairdresser
- Colour Technician
- Entrepreneur – mobile hairdresser
- Salon Owner
- Teacher
- Product representative/trainer
Salaries
Depending on location and position, salaries can be higher in certain areas. Below is a list of the average salaries for each position in the United Kingdom
- Hairdresser – £25,000
- Hair Stylist – £21,294
- Entrepreneur – Mobile Hairdresser – £15,330
- Hairdressing Salon Manager – £25,300
- Teacher – Hairdressing – £30,371
- Apprenticeship – a minimum of £3.90 per hour
Pathways
Travelling – with hairdressing being an international career, the skills you learn can be transferable to any part of the world. Rebecca, Organic Hair Salon owner, went travelling aboard whilst using her hairdressing skills to fund part of her travels. Rebecca had put up an ad whilst travelling in a hostel for anyone wanting to have their haircut. Rebecca now owns her own successful salon, The Organic Hair Salon, and visited Totton College during National Apprenticeships Week 2018, to deliver an employer talk.
Learning in industry standard facilities at Opus Salon, Totton College onsite Hair and Beauty saloon will give you every opportunity to learn these transferable skills. With support from the teachers, this professional environment will support and nurture your development, allowing you to practice all the practical skills you need for the hairdressing industry.
Further study
With a hairdressing career, you can have the opportunity to continue onto further study.
There are a variety of courses that you can study at University ranging from foundation courses to BA Honours. Courses on offer include:
Foundation courses:
BA Honours degrees:
Whether it is a foundation course or an honours degree, all these enhance your technical skills for the industry. Totton College’s very own alumni students Rebecca Grace Kennel went onto university to study BA (Hons) in Make-up & Hair Design for music, television & film, all from studying Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy at Totton College.
“The courses let you interact with the public and get an insight into the working world. I went on to university and now run my own business as a freelance make-up artist and wig technician. My clients include the NHS, LEGOLAND Windsor, and a national theatre company. If I hadn’t gone to Totton College I wouldn’t be as successful as I am now.”
Another pathway with University can be teaching. A teaching profession is one of many professions that can be taken within this industry. At Totton College, many of our teachers are industry professionals before teaching learners.
Current Level 3 Beauty Therapy apprentice, Danni Mercier, whose ambition is to pursue a career in teaching/ becoming an assessor for the hair and beauty industry said:
“The college supported me in my full-time course and my apprenticeship, learning at Opus salon in my first year, helped me get a real feel for the salon life and I knew this is what I wanted to do.”
At Totton College, there are a number of professional careers advisers to support this path, which includes attending careers fair such as the UCAS HE fair to arranging talks from universities for students to kick-start your career.
Apprenticeships
Hairdressing doesn’t need to be restricted to the salon, ask current Level 3 beauty therapy apprentice, Danni Mercier who studied Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy.
“I have studied two different courses with Totton College which were Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy. My first year was as a full-time student. Then with the help of the college, I went onto the apprenticeship program, getting myself a job and my level 3 hairdressing qualification. I am now 22 and completing my final year in level 3 Beauty therapist as an apprentice. Full-time courses and apprenticeship courses are both good but I find if your more of a hands-on person then an apprenticeship is key for you as then you are building up practical experiences.”
Starting this career as an apprentice teaches you how to professionally greet customers, shampooing and conditioning hair, simple cutting techniques, making sure towels and supplies are ready for use and keeping the salon clean and tidy. It combines the knowledge and skills of the profession itself as well as health and safety, preparation and organisational skills, timekeeping and communication skills.
At the beginning of the Level 2 Hairdressing Professional apprenticeship (standard), you would be fulfilling a junior role in a salon. Most apprentices that complete this programme are then considered as a senior stylist and able to advise and suggest certain colours and hairstyles that would suit the clients. For those that feel they need further training, there is the level 3 Hairdressing apprenticeship available to build on your knowledge and skills, giving you more confidence in your abilities. From this point, you may be able to pursue one particular skill in which to become a technical specialist. There is also the option of management through further training, which could lead the way to you owning and running your own salon.
At Totton College, a dedicated onsite apprenticeships team can provide you with all the support that is needed and finding opportunities with employers.
Work experience
Work experience or a placement is a very important factor for your future career. Not only will you be in the workplace environment but also be able to make connections for your future career. With Totton College, each student has the opportunity to carry out a work experience placement. Dependant on the course, a student would need to carry out 60 hours of work experience placement for a level 3 qualification. Totton College works with numerous local employers and the wider community, to ensure each student has a vast choice for placement. You will benefit from the careers programme by applying your knowledge in a real-life work environment. Transferring the required skills for today’s workplace and your future career in the hairdressing industry. Click here for more information about life at Totton College.
There are many pathways to the same destinations, whether you choose an apprenticeship, full-time vocational course followed with work experience placement in the hairdressing industry, with its industry-standard facilities, Totton College with its Ofsted rated good vocational courses and apprenticeships will help you achieve, and be who you want to be.
For more information Totton College Hairdressing courses or to apply for September 2019 click here.
*each institution and course may require their own entry requirements.
