Apprentice Hair Stylist

AERA ESSENCE LTD

Northamptonshire (NN12 6AF)

Closes in 17 days (Sunday 17 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 29 April 2026


Summary

Launch your hairdressing career as a Salon Apprentice! If you’re creative and passionate, join our welcoming salon to earn while you learn, train one day a week at MK College, gain valuable hands-on experience, work alongside skilled stylists, and grow into a qualified hair professional. Perfect for enthusiastic, hardworking beginners.

Wage

£15,600 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Annual Salary

Training course
Hairdressing professional (level 2)
Hours
Shift patterns will be confirmed and will include late evenings and weekend working.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 31 August 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Key Responsibilities:

Client Care & Support:

Welcome clients in a friendly and professional manner
Prepare clients for services, including gowning and shampooing
Help ensure every client enjoys a positive salon experience

Assisting Stylists:

  • Support senior stylists during appointments
  • Prepare tools, products, and workstations
  • Observe techniques and learn through hands-on assistance

Salon Maintenance:

  • Keep the salon clean, tidy, and well-organised
  • Sterilise tools and follow hygiene standards
  • Restock products and supplies as required

Learning & Development:

  • Attend training sessions and follow guidance from the team
  • Practice hairdressing techniques and build confidence
  • Stay up to date with industry trends, products, and standards

Building a Client Base:

  • Assist with promoting salon services
  • Learn how to market yourself and grow your own clientele
  • Deliver excellent service to encourage repeat visits

You’ll be joining a friendly and professional team, learning how a successful salon operates while delivering exceptional customer service.

This apprenticeship offers the chance to earn while you learn, gain real salon experience, and develop into a future stylist.

Where you'll work

58 Watling Street
Towcester
Northamptonshire
NN12 6AF

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE

Training course

Hairdressing professional (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Adhere to legal and organisational requirements for the safe use of products, tools, materials and equipment.
  • Apply safe, hygienic, and effective methods of working and infection control, while completing hairdressing services.
  • Use communication and etiquette that meets industry requirements, suits and is appropriate to the organisation.
  • Maintain the client’s confidentiality and comfort (modesty, privacy) at the start and during the service.
  • Advise clients (new and regular) pre, during and after service on the maintenance of the look, complementary services and retail products available in the salon.
  • Promote yourself, your organisation, products and services via a variety of social channels.
  • Carry out wider salon duties to support the salon business (e.g. services, bookings, payments, retail, upselling and sales).
  • Use a range of products, tools, equipment used in Hairdressing services in accordance with legal organisational requirements.
  • Complete and maintain client records in accordance with legal and organisational requirements.
  • Work as part of a team to support the salon businesses.
  • Use working methods that promote environmental and sustainable working practices.
  • Carry out a consultation, examine and analyse the hair, skin and scalp and complete relevant industry tests (e.g. hair classification type and characteristics tests).
  • Identify (question/observation) any contraindications or limiting factors that are likely to affect or influence the service.
  • Shampoo, condition and treat the hair and scalp.
  • Dry and finish hair using a range of techniques to create a range of looks, that meets the intended shape, direction, balance and volume agreed with the client.
  • Use current setting and dressing techniques to create a range of looks that meets the intended shape, direction, balance, and volume agreed with the client.
  • Cut hair using a range of technical skills and cutting techniques to create a range of looks, considering weight distribution, cutting angles, balance and degree of graduation, and the natural growth patterns of the hair, length of the hair ( club cutting, scissor over comb, clipper over comb, texturising, freehand, thinning, layering and razor cutting).
  • Restyle hair to create a personalised short or medium (above the shoulder) length hair cut, changing the shape, length and style hair using a range of cutting techniques.
  • Complete a range of hair colouring and lightening services to change the depth and tone using current colouring techniques (e.g. freehand techniques, woven highlights or lowlights, root re-touch, half head and full head application, temporary, semi-permanent, demi- permanent, quasi-permanent, permanent colour and lighteners).
  • Evaluate the results of the service.
  • Adhere to legal and organisational requirements for the safe use of products, tools, materials and equipment.
  • Apply safe, hygienic, and effective methods of working and infection control, while completing hairdressing services.
  • Use communication and etiquette that meets industry requirements, suits and is appropriate to the organisation.
  • Maintain the client’s confidentiality and comfort (modesty, privacy) at the start and during the service.
  • Advise clients (new and regular) pre, during and after service on the maintenance of the look, complementary services and retail products available in the salon.
  • Promote yourself, your organisation, products and services via a variety of social channels.
  • Carry out wider salon duties to support the salon business (e.g. services, bookings, payments, retail, upselling and sales).
  • Use a range of products, tools, equipment used in Hairdressing services in accordance with legal organisational requirements.
  • Complete and maintain client records in accordance with legal and organisational requirements.
  • Work as part of a team to support the salon businesses.
  • Use working methods that promote environmental and sustainable working practices.
  • Carry out a consultation, examine and analyse the hair, skin and scalp and complete relevant industry tests (e.g. hair classification type and characteristics tests).
  • Identify (question/observation) any contraindications or limiting factors that are likely to affect or influence the service.
  • Shampoo, condition and treat the hair and scalp.
  • Dry and finish hair using a range of techniques to create a range of looks, that meets the intended shape, direction, balance and volume agreed with the client.
  • Use current setting and dressing techniques to create a range of looks that meets the intended shape, direction, balance, and volume agreed with the client.
  • Cut hair using a range of technical skills and cutting techniques to create a range of looks, considering weight distribution, cutting angles, balance and degree of graduation, and the natural growth patterns of the hair, length of the hair ( club cutting, scissor over comb, clipper over comb, texturising, freehand, thinning, layering and razor cutting).
  • Restyle hair to create a personalised short or medium (above the shoulder) length hair cut, changing the shape, length and style hair using a range of cutting techniques.
  • Complete a range of hair colouring and lightening services to change the depth and tone using current colouring techniques (e.g. freehand techniques, woven highlights or lowlights, root re-touch, half head and full head application, temporary, semi-permanent, demi- permanent, quasi-permanent, permanent colour and lighteners).
  • Evaluate the results of the service.

Training schedule

Training with Milton Keynes College. Ongoing training, support and development with the employer

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 9-4)
  • Maths (grade 9-4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Strong communication
  • Attention to detail
  • Organised and reliable
  • Customer service skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Professional appearance
  • Positive team player
  • Creative and enthusiastic
  • Open-minded attitude
  • Willing to learn

Other requirements

Salon opening hours are 9:00am to 5:00pm, Monday to Saturday, and 11:00am to 3:00pm on Sundays (appointments only). During the summer months, late evening appointments may run until 7:00pm. Please note the advertised key dates are intended as a guide only and this vacancy may close early if a suitable candidate is found. Start dates can be discussed following a successful offer. Predicted grades will be accepted; however, any offer made will be subject to achieving final grades. Candidates should be comfortable standing for extended periods, working evenings and weekends, and maintaining high professional standards within a busy salon environment. Travel by bus is accessible, though driving would be more convenient.

About this employer

At SALON58, outstanding results are driven by exceptional people. We’re always seeking passionate, creative, and talented individuals eager to grow in a supportive, inspiring salon environment. Whether you’re an experienced professional or an ambitious beginner, SALON58 provides opportunities to develop your skills, work with premium products, and be part of a team that values creativity, excellence, and exceptional client care. Join us and build a career where your talent can thrive.

https://www.salon58.co.uk (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, there will be the opportunity to progress into a full-time permanent position Stylist role within Salon 58, with ongoing professional development and long-term career progression

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

MILTON KEYNES COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000029171.

Apply now

Closes in 17 days (Sunday 17 May 2026 at 11:59pm)