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Working Abroad Job Vacancies Job Hunting Guide Voluntary Work Working Part-time and Temping Useful Job Hunting Resources Working in Somerset Wages and Employment Rights Hairdressers in Somerset CLCI: IL CRCI: RC Hairdressers shampoo, cut, colour, perm, set and dry hair. They work in different sized salons and build their reputation through good service and excellent work. Training standards are good and keeping up to date with fashions is important. Some salons are hip and trendy. Others are more traditional and cater for older people. See the separate article in this series if you are interested in becoming a barber. Look under the above CLCI/CRCI headings in your Careers or Connexions library THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT HAIRDRESSERS IN SOMERSET There are hairdressing salons throughout Somerset in towns and many larger villages. It is estimated that there are over 1000 hairdressers in Somerset. Salons vary in size from having around two to twenty employees. Some are one branch businesses. Others are part of a chain that may have several salons in the area. A number of businesses run franchises on behalf of national companies. Somerset also has mobile hairdressers who visit elderly people and those with disabilities in their own homes. Mobile hairdressers also work in rural areas where the nearest salon may be many miles away. HOW DO I GET STARTED?   Get work experience when at school to see if it’s the career for you   Go to college full-time to do a hairdressing course   Start as a trainee – or apprentice – in a salon and go to college as part of your job USEFUL QUALIFICATIONS   GCSEs in maths, English, science and art are a good start   NVQ levels 1-3 in hairdressing (through full-time college or as part of an apprenticeship)   NVQ level 4 hairdressing useful if you want to go into salon management or run your own business   Additional qualifications awarded by salons, product manufacturers and the hairdressing industry are worth getting as your career develops More about qualifications, courses and training can be found in Moving On (published by Connexions Somerset) DO YOU KNOW? Hairdressing and fashion are closely linked. It’s important to know about the latest techniques and fashions. WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE? Around £80 per week (maybe more) if starting as a new employed trainee or apprentice. After a year you may be earning £80-100 per week rising to £200-220 after four years. As a trainer or assessor you could be earning £15-18,000 a year. Wages are boosted by tips and commission earnt by selling hairdressing products to customers. FINDING A JOB   Connexions centres   Job centres   Through applying for work apprenticeships   School and college careers notice boards   Speculative letters/visits/emails   Newspaper and industry publications adverts   Adverts displayed at premises and on industry/company websites   Job offer after work experience   Word of mouth   A Guide to Job Hunting gives tips on CVs, interviews and job letters. To view click here OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER THINGS ABOUT THIS WORK   There are hairdressing courses at several colleges in Somerset   It’s up to you whether you want to start an apprenticeship at 16 or go to college full-time   It isn’t as glamorous as it seems. You’re on your feet all day and the hours can be long and awkward (evening and Saturday work being common)   Other duties include stock control, accounts, cleaning, sales, laundry, supplies, reception and booking appointments   Health and Safety is important   Good qualities include friendliness, communication skills, patience, artistic ability, creative flair and fashion sense   Self-employment opportunities are good. You could also become a style consultant, manager, trainer, college hairdressing tutor or work on a cruise liner   Extra training exists for wig making and cosmetic make-up WHO DOES THE WORK? Mark (17) works in a small salon in Glastonbury. He is doing an apprenticeship and has just completed the first stage of NVQ hairdressing. Mark plans to complete his training with the intention of becoming a senior stylist before he is twenty-one. In the long run Mark would love to become a hair stylist in the film industry Melissa (21) has been a hairdresser for three years. She qualified by doing a full-time course at college followed by extra training once she started work. Melissa is about to leave her salon job to work as a mobile hairdresser in the Wincanton area. Later she hopes to run her own salon More Info: A-Z Careers Careers information dates rapidly. Every effort has been made to ensure information is accurate but please check details before making firm decisions. Make text larger Make text smaller Text Only Display Privacy Policy/Terms of Use