Britain's hairdressing and beauty business is booming as consumers look for cheap treats to lift their mood. Last year, Brits made 340million visits to the hairdresser and spent a total of 5.2billion, up from 4.2bn in 2002. Hairdressing is one industry almost everyone uses and add-on services like eyebrow shaping, facials and nail bars are upping salons' profits.

 

 

According to industry body Habia, households splash out  £161 a year on hairdressing with a further £170 spent on hair products. Habia's Mark Phillips told Sunemployment: "Hairdressing is sometimes described as recession-proof as it is the last luxury to go when things gets tight."

 

The UK industry employs around 250,000 people around the country. Jobs include working in salons to styling models' hair on top magazine photoshoots. Mark Phillips added: "The days when hairdressing was perceived as a poorly paid, no-prospects job for early school leavers are long gone.

 

"It is now in the top ten career choices for girls aged 14 to 18 and hairdressing courses are among the most popular in UK training centres." So what can you expect? All hairdressers start as apprentices or trainees. The hours are long and the pay is low  at around £100 a week. But progression can be fast.

 

There are no minimum qualifications as personal qualities are regarded as more important than academic ability. But GCSEs or Standard Grades (Scotland) in English, science and maths are recommended.

 

All hairdressers have to gain an NVQ Level 2 before they can work as a stylist but trainees can study at their own pace. Many combine a full-time college course with salon work to gain hands-on experience.

 

Courses take around nine months then you can look for full-time work.

 

Salaries range from 12,000 for newly qualified staff to 25,000 for senior stylists plus tips. Salon bosses and top stylists can take home six figures. There are around 12,000 vacancies available at any one time, or approach your local salon.

For further information see habia.org, hji.co.uk, salonbusiness.co.uk, apprenticeships.org.uk and hairdressingjobs.org.uk. 

 

 

JESSICA ROSE is a stylist at Strands salon in Norwich. The 19-year-old completed her training over two years, combining study with a salon job.

 

She says: "I'd recommend getting work experience first. It's a physical job and some people find they can't stand up for eight hours a day. You should also check whether you are affected by chemicals in treatments such as bleaching agents.

 

"As a trainee, you should be prepared to do fairly gritty work such as keeping the salon clean and sweeping floors. But you get to be part of the buzz in the salon and watch the professionals at work.

 

"It's hard work but you'll never be bored. You never stop learning, whatever your experience - you can do one haircut in 500 different ways.

 

"And you need to keep at the cutting edge of celeb hairstyles. If somebody comes in and says, 'I want my hair cut like Posh Spice' and you haven't seen her lately you'll give them the wrong hairstyle.

 

"Hairdressing is more than just a job and you have to be passionate about it to succeed. I was paid buttons when I started but I didn't care because I loved it. And, once you have qualified, you need never be unemployed again.

 

"As a hairdresser, nothing beats the thrill of making someone feel great."