Career change.

Career_Changer

Hi, does anyone know if there are any grants available to train as a hairdresser? I would be a mature student/individual wanting a career change and hairdressing has always been a passion of mine.

Also, what is the best way to start - train at college or take up an apprenticeship - if a salon would have a more mature person?

Flora0987

The best way is to get an apprenticeship working in a salon. Hands on experience always wins. You can build a client base, maybe earn tips...

Career_Changer

Unfortunately, I have financial committments, being later on in years. .The apprenticeship wages are very low. One salon is only paying £456 a month before deductions. I wish I had taken hairdressing up when a teenager and living at home with my parents. Still can't live in the past. Thanks for your thoughts.

nonnatus

Hmmm, hairdressing IS a low paid career, unless you are a top stylist or own the salon!

Having said that, I retrained in hair dressing when I was 35. Went to the local college and got on the NVQ course - you have to prove you can pass some basic maths and english tests. The actual course was funded for me in some way, possibly because I was on benefits, but I had to scrape together £150 for the big "kit" we used, This contained the fake heads to practice on, styling tools, scissors etc, most of which I still have!

I passed the NVQ 1 and was halfway through 2 when I decided it wasn't for me and I went on to be a midwife instead! (swapping one set of curly wurlies for another as my mother so delicately put it :rotfl:)

The hair thing has been truly useful though, I regularly sort out family and friends hair and whilst I'm no Trevor Sorbie, I AM free! And the Hair course was great fun, I met some lovely people who I still see regularly.

Go for it! You have nothing to lose do you?

shmeeko69

Career_Changer wrote: »

Hi, does anyone know if there are any grants available to train as a hairdresser? I would be a mature student/individual wanting a career change and hairdressing has always been a passion of mine.

Also, what is the best way to start - train at college or take up an apprenticeship - if a salon would have a more mature person?

There are certainly no shortage of available college courses on hairdressing, but getting a grant in England and Wales is now virtually impossible. I think Scotland is the only place you can still apply for a grant whilst you're training.

It's not the best paid job in the world unless you own the salon or do some freelance, but if you're passionate about cutting hair and styling then go for it, but I would forget the ideal of getting any sort of payment during your training period.