Becoming a hairdresser/beautician after 25?

[amycen]

Hi,
I graduated from uni about 4 years ago after studying history, but after being employed for almost 3 years I’ve realised it’s not for me. I have lost my girly side and really want to change career.
I’ve been looking at going back to college to do hairdressing but I don’t know how to go about it or if it’s worth it now I’m 25?! Could I go to college part time so that I could still work to cover the costs of living? I’ve also seen a lot of info on having to do an apprenticeship or working in a salon after college just to qualify? Is this essential or could hairdressing be something I could go into self employed without having to do the full process?
Would love any similar experience stories or more info!!
Thanks 😊 x

What's your issue with being 25? That you're too old?? You have 40ish years of work ahead of you, for goodness' sake! Do it! (Most people I know who retrained or changed careers have done it in their 30s, including myself).

@PhoenixBuchanan thanks for the reply! 😊 That makes me feel better.
Its not that I'm to old, just a little concerned about living costs etc now that I'm not a teen and have bills to pay as well as not understanding if you qualify it is essential to do an apprenticeship/salon work to qualify? X

I used to work in an FE college. It was a very popular course and I wouldn't necessarily recommend it to those over 18. you do usually need to complete a placement of some sort and employers want someone who is under 18 as they don't have to pay as much.

Can I ask how much you earn now? And if you do train as a hairdresser would you expect to be employed or run your own business?

Hi @KillerofMen at the minute I earn maybe 14/15k at the most in a job that hasn't many opportunities to progress. I had this in mind as a venture to possibly try part time and possibly self employed to make a little extra money and bring some enjoyment. But again I've seen a lot about still having to qualify by working or apprenticeship in a salon that threw me off as I still need the job I'm in to keep me ticking sadly x

@amycen I'm wanting to go into hairdressing or beauty too but I'm 28, so I'm not how to go into it!

Ok if you're earning minimum wage atm then you won't have a huge amount to lose but being self employed is very different to being employed. Look at what's happening at the moment, people's income taken away instantly because hairdressers have been forced to closed.

As a rule, I would say learning to cut hair is the easy bit and making a business of it is what you need to focus on. Speak to your local FE college and explore your challenges with them and see what options you have. Ask them what the destinations of their former learners are, what support they provide for entrepreneurs etc. Research the market where you are. Plenty of time to do this before a September course.

I work for a hairdressing training company in Scotland so England may be different. You need the qualification, any decent salon wouldn’t employ an unqualified stylist. Unfortunately you are too old to qualify as an apprentice (unless you have a disability). The FE course is full time made up of college & usually placement or in house salon. You can do the qualification if you paid but you would need to get a salon to take you on to do this. Unfortunately salons are reluctant to take on age 19 plus as they have to pay them NMW rather than the apprentice wage of £3 odds. It’s rubbish I agree.

I went into beauty at 39 and I wasn’t the oldest at college, I did a years course so you are definitely not too old!!

I’m 40 and it’s my dream to go into beauty therapy but I want my own salon. I already own a premises and thought about employing someone with more experience while I learn. Am I mad?

If I were 25 I’d definitely be going for it. Good luck!

SunsetYorks I thought anyone of any age could do apprenticeships now?

I had thought of doing similar when I was made redundant a few years ago (I’m now 40) but where I live there are so many hairdressers/nail shops/beauticians or combinations of that I didn’t want to do a course for two/three years and then try and build a business from scratch in an already oversaturated market.

OP, I do know of people who have done intensive courses in nails and beauty or who’ve done it over a few months instead of years and worked for themselves, sometimes from home from the off. More difficult to build a client base but could work out in the end?