Hairdressing Apprentice
THE COSMETIC CAVE LTD
ST IVES (PE27 5UW)
Closes on Wednesday 1 July 2026
Posted on 25 February 2026
Contents
Summary
A hairdressing apprenticeship at Cosmetic Cave offers hands-on salon training alongside formal study. Apprentices work with experienced stylists to build skills in cutting, colouring, styling and client care while maintaining high professional standards in a fast-paced, client-focused environment.
- Wage
-
£11,778 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Hairdressing professional (level 2)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday 10am-4pm, may work evening and weekends.
30 hours a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 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
An average day as a junior at Cosmetic Cave is structured, professional and centred around learning within a high-standard salon environment.
- The day begins with preparing the salon for clients, ensuring all styling stations are clean, organised and fully equipped. Tools are sanitised, products are replenished, towels are prepared, and the appointment schedule is reviewed so the team is ready for a smooth service flow
- As clients arrive, juniors greet them warmly, assist with coats and refreshments, and support stylists with client preparation. This includes shampooing and conditioning, applying treatments or colour under supervision, mixing formulas accurately, and assisting during blow-dries and finishing work. Attention to detail, time management and maintaining a calm presence are key expectations throughout the day
- Between appointments, juniors maintain the overall presentation of the salon, manage laundry, restock retail displays, and ensure hygiene standards remain consistent. Supporting client consultations by observing senior stylists is an important part of development, helping build confidence in communication and technical knowledge
- Time is also allocated for training and skill progression. Juniors practise techniques, receive constructive feedback and gradually take on more responsibility as their ability develops. At Cosmetic Cave, professionalism, teamwork and commitment are highly valued. Each day is an opportunity to refine technical skills, strengthen client care standards and build the foundation for long-term progression within the salon
Where you'll work
3 MANOR MEWS
BRIDGE STREET
ST IVES
PE27 5UW
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
Beyond the formal apprenticeship, Cosmetic Cave provides additional in-house and external training to support skill development within the salon.
This includes workshops in cutting, colouring and finishing techniques, as well as focused blow-dry and styling sessions to improve speed and consistency. Hair extension education forms part of development, covering consultation, colour matching, maintenance and an introduction to application methods used within the salon.
Further training may include client consultation skills, retail knowledge, professional standards and brand presentation. Team members may also take part in supplier-led sessions or shadowing opportunities where appropriate.
The aim is to broaden technical knowledge, strengthen confidence and maintain high service standards within the Cosmetic Cave environment.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- English (grade Grade 3/D and above)
- Maths (grade Grade 3/D and above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
Other requirements
The clinic is based in the town centre of St Ives, with reliable public transport links available. Access to a car may make commuting more convenient, but a range of transport options can support travel to the clinic.
About this employer
Cosmetic Cave is a professional beauty, aesthetics and hair salon designed as a complete one-stop destination for clients. It combines hairdressing, advanced beauty treatments and ethical cosmetic procedures under one roof, creating a seamless and high-standard client experience.
The clinic also incorporates medical-grade aesthetic services delivered within a safe, professional setting. With a focus on ethical practice, client care and premium service standards, Cosmetic Cave brings hair, beauty and advanced treatments together in one cohesive environment.
Company benefits
Apprentices may be eligible for discounted or selected complimentary treatments in line with salon policy and performance standards. Product discounts may be available, along with a family and friends discount scheme.
After this apprenticeship
To continue to work at the Cosmetic Cave Clinic.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
CAMBRIDGE REGIONAL COLLEGE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000017593.
Apply now
Closes on Wednesday 1 July 2026