For many salon owners, hiring an apprentice can feel like a difficult decision. When appointment books are full and your stylists are already stretched, bringing in someone inexperienced may feel like it would add more pressure rather than more support. As a result, many salons choose to hire someone with more experience, even when it comes at a significantly higher cost. But with wage costs continuing to rise, driven by increases to the National Living Wage and higher employer National Insurance contributions, apprenticeships are becoming a more practical option for many salons. In some cases, they can be a better long-term investment than hiring a fully trained stylist straight away. So how do you decide what’s right for your salon? What an apprentice actually is An apprentice is an employee who combines paid work with structured training. They work towards a recognised qualification while gaining hands-on experience within your salon. They are not unpaid help or just an extra pair of hands; they are part of your team and should have real responsibilities. In a salon environment, apprentices often support with: preparing clients for appointments washing and drying hair maintaining salon cleanliness managing refreshments and client care supporting senior stylists reception and appointment support learning core cutting and colouring skills The financial side Many salon owners assume apprenticeships are expensive, but they are often more affordable than you would expect. Apprentice wages are lower while training takes place, and depending on the apprentice and the size of your business, training costs may be fully or partly funded. In some cases, additional employer support may also be available. For salons that need more support but cannot yet justify another senior salary, apprenticeships can sometimes provide a more manageable route to growing the team. It is also important to think long-term. While an experienced stylist may contribute immediately, in time an apprentice can become a valuable member of the business if trained well from the start. The advantages One of the biggest advantages is the opportunity to train someone around your salon’s standards, systems and client experience from day one. Over time, this often leads to team members who fit naturally into the culture of the business and understand how the salon operates. Apprenticeships can also support retention. Many salons find that people who develop within the business are more likely to stay and progress over the long term. You may have also noticed that there is also a wider recruitment challenge affecting the industry. Finding experienced stylists can be difficult and expensive, particularly for newer salons. The drawbacks The biggest consideration is time. An apprentice will need support, supervision and patience, particularly during the early stages. That responsibility usually falls on senior stylists who are already managing busy schedules and client expectations. You should also expect productivity to build gradually rather than immediately. And as we all know, mistakes are always part of any learning process. Should your salon hire an apprentice? Possibly. An apprenticeship can work well if: your salon is growing steadily senior staff have time to support training you are thinking long-term junior support would free up experienced stylists you want to build a stronger team over time On the other hand, if your team is already overstretched and there is little capacity for training or supervision, taking on an apprentice may create additional pressure that you really don't need. How we can help At Navigate, we work with businesses across a range of industries, including salons and personal care businesses. If you are considering hiring an apprentice, we can help you understand the true cost, compare different hiring options and identify what support or funding may be available. If you would like to discuss your salon and growth plans, get in touch with our team on 01709 589 439.

We are so excited to announce that we have expanded and relocated to a new office in Chesterfield! Last week, our sign finally went up, so you may have got a sneak peek at us already if you’ve been passing through. Our new office is located at: 477A Chatsworth Road Chesterfield Derbyshire S40 3AD Located just a short distance from the town centre, the new location offers improved accessibility for clients across Chesterfield and the surrounding areas. Why we’ve made the move As our client base has grown, so too has the need for a space that better supports both our team and the way we work. The new office allows us to provide a more comfortable setting for in-person meetings, and accommodate our growing team. You’re welcome to drop by We would be thrilled to welcome you to the new office and show you around. So please drop in and say hello to Frances, or another member of the team. Our team will be rotating who is based in the office, so you may meet different members of the Navigate team when you visit. Thank you We would like to thank all of our clients for their continued support. This move is part of our ongoing effort to improve how we work and how we support you. We can't wait to welcome you to our new Chesterfield office.