Welcome to Our Hairdressing and Barbering Community of Professionals and Learners.
What has changed in 2025?
This year has brought some exciting updates for both salons and apprentices, making it easier than ever to bring new talent into your team. Here’s a quick look at what’s changed:
No Employer Contribution for Apprentices Under 22
Employers can now take on apprentices up to the age of 22 without having to contribute financially. This makes it more accessible for salons to nurture new talent and give young people a strong start in their careers.
No National Insurance for Apprentices Under 25
Another great incentive is that employers don’t need to pay National Insurance contributions for apprentices under 25. This is a win-win: you save on costs while investing in the future of your team.
Government Incentives for 16–18 Year Olds
If you hire a young apprentice aged 16–18, you may be eligible for a £1,000 government incentive. This support is designed to encourage more businesses to give young people a chance to shine. Get in touch with us for full details.
Functional Skills Are Optional for Learners 19+
For learners starting an apprenticeship at 19 or older, functional skills are now optional. This means older apprentices can focus more on hands-on learning in the salon without the extra pressure of compulsory exams.
Off-the-Job Training Reform
There’s also a big change to off-the-job training. Apprentices now have more flexibility in how and where they complete their off-the-job learning. This means your team can continue working in the salon while still meeting all the training requirements—making the apprenticeship experience smoother and more practical for both employers and apprentices.
Wear it Pink – Breast Cancer Awareness Month
We’re proud to share that during Breast Cancer Awareness Month we raised over £300 by donating some of the proceeds from our hair and barbering appointments. On Wear It Pink Day we all came together — stylists, apprentices, and clients — wearing pink in support of the cause.
If you’d like to learn more about Wear It Pink, how it works and how to get involved, you can check their page here: Breast Cancer Now – Wear It Pink
We believe it’s important not only to raise money but to stand in solidarity with everyone affected by breast cancer. Thanks to everyone who supported this effort — together we made a difference.
Getting Ready for Our 2026 Learner Competition
A huge thank you to all the employers who supported our 2025 Learner Competition by helping judge and generously donating prizes. Your involvement made it a fantastic celebration of our learners’ skills, creativity, and hard work!
We’re already looking ahead to next year, and planning for the 2026 Learner Competition is well underway. This is an amazing opportunity for your learners to showcase their talents and for you, as their employer, to be part of an event that celebrates the next generation of industry professionals.
Competition Week Dates: 9th & 16th March 2026
Whether your learners are perfecting classic techniques or experimenting with creative styles, the competition is a chance for them to shine in a supportive, real-world environment. And for employers, it’s a chance to connect with other salons, celebrate your team, and give back to the wider hairdressing community.
If you’d like to be a judge on our panel, or if you’re interested in donating prizes to help make the competition even more exciting, please get in touch with our Employer Engagement team. Please contact the team here: Employer Engagement Team
Giving Back This Christmas
This festive season, we’re excited to support two incredible local causes and give back to our communities:
Bristol – Haircuts 4 Homeless
We’re collecting new socks for Haircuts4Homeless helping bring warmth and comfort to those in need this winter. Thanks to everyone who has already donated – we’ve collected a fantastic pile of socks!
Birmingham – BSWA (Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid)
In Birmingham, we’re gathering essential items and donations to support BSWA helping women and children affected by domestic abuse. Every donation makes a difference.
If you’d like to contribute, please drop off your donations at your local academy.
Important Dates:
Our academies will be closed for apprenticeship training from 5th December 2025 and will reopen on 5th January 2026 for workshops. During this time, we will still be available for site visits and any learner queries, so don’t hesitate to get in touch if you need us.
This is the perfect time to come together, support local causes, and make a real difference in the lives of people in our communities.
