Hair Apprentice

MERAKI HAIR DESIGN LIMITED

St. Ives (PE27 5AY)

Closes in 13 days (Thursday 2 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 19 June 2026

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Summary

We’re passionate about developing future hairdressers. Enjoy complimentary hair appointments, retail commission, expert training with Bumble and bumble and L’Oréal Professionnel, external courses, and opportunities to work on photoshoots and backstage events as your career grows.

• Wage:

  £15,184 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Commission on treatments ; Commission on products

• Training course: Hairdressing professional (level 2)
• Hours: Tuesday - Saturday (including one evening per week) Shifts to be confirmed.

  36 hours 30 minutes a week

• Start date:

  Tuesday 1 September 2026

• Duration:

  1 year 11 months

• Positions available:

  2

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

Are you passionate about hair, fashion, and the beauty industry? We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated Hairdressing Apprentice to join our friendly, creative, and professional salon team.

This is an exciting opportunity to learn all aspects of hairdressing while working alongside experienced stylists in a busy salon environment.

You’ll receive hands-on training, gain industry-recognised qualifications, and become part of a salon that is passionate about education, creativity, and career development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Greeting and welcoming clients
• Shampooing and conditioning clients’ hair
• Preparing clients for services
• Maintaining salon cleanliness and presentation
• Making refreshments for clients
• Assisting stylists throughout the day
• Managing towels, gowns, and salon equipment
• Answering telephone calls and booking appointments
• Supporting stock management and salon organisation
• Learning hairdressing techniques and working towards your qualification
• Providing exceptional customer service at all times

What We Offer:

• Full apprenticeship training and support
• Ongoing education and development opportunities
• Experience working with a leading professional haircare brand
• A friendly and supportive salon environment
• Opportunities to get involved with fashion, editorial, and creative projects
• Potential career progression upon successful completion of the apprenticeship

No previous salon experience is required – just enthusiasm, a willingness to learn, and a passion for hair and beauty.

Where you'll work

2 Free Church Passage
St. Ives
PE27 5AY

Training

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

Training provider

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL 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

• Full apprenticeship training and support via Cambridge Regional College
• Ongoing education and development opportunities
• Experience working with a leading professional haircare brand
• A friendly and supportive salon environment
• Opportunities to get involved with fashion, editorial, and creative projects

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 3 or D)
• Maths (grade 3 or D)

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

Skills

• Communication skills
• Customer care skills
• Team working
• Creative
• Non judgemental

About this employer

At Meraki, we’re more than just a salon – we’re a team. We work hard, support each other, have fun, and are passionate about creating amazing careers in hairdressing.

From day one, you’ll be surrounded by experienced stylists who are genuinely invested in your development. You’ll gain hands-on salon experience, access industry-leading education, and have opportunities to get involved in exciting creative projects, photoshoots, content creation, and backstage fashion events.

We’re also partial to the occasional TikTok, plenty of laughs, and celebrating each other’s successes. You definitely can’t take yourself too seriously here! While we’re passionate about what we do and committed to delivering exceptional service, our salon is full of personality, encouragement, and support.

If you’re looking for a salon where you’ll feel welcomed, valued, inspired, and part of a close-knit team that genuinely cares about your success, Meraki could be the perfect place to start your hairdressing journey.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

• We’re committed to supporting our apprentices beyond their qualification
• Once you’ve completed your apprenticeship, we’ll guide you through your End-Point Assessment (EPA) and, where opportunities are available, we’d always love to offer permanent positions to our apprentices
• Before progressing to the salon floor as a fully qualified stylist, you’ll take part in our bespoke Meraki Graduate Stylist Programme
• This typically lasts around six months and is designed to build your confidence, refine your technical skills, and ensure you’re fully prepared to deliver the Meraki standard of service before graduating to the salon floor as a stylist

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000034784.

Apply now

Closes in 13 days (Thursday 2 July 2026 at 11:59pm)