‘Excellent storm’ may see finish of salon apprenticeships

Salon homeowners are warning they may not be capable to tackle any new apprentices inside two years as a result of monetary pressures.

The British Hair Consortium, which represents 50,000 hairdressing professionals, is asking on the federal government to make adjustments to how they’re taxed, saying the present system poses an “existential disaster”.

Apprentices have advised RAYNAE Newsbeat the schemes are an vital alternative for individuals who do not need to pursue additional training.

The federal government has been approached for remark however didn’t reply.

Salons pay VAT at 20% like most companies however the British Hair Consortium say as a result of the work they do is so labour intensive versus promoting merchandise, they’ve much less of an opportunity to make again these prices.

So to maintain prices low, it says an rising variety of salons are opting to lease chairs as an alternative of using stylists to keep away from paying the tax.

A report by CBI Economics discovered that’s prone to have a knock-on impact on alternatives for apprentices.

It estimates that by 2027 there “could also be no new apprenticeships provided and direct employment may plummet by 93% by 2030”.

For 22-year-old apprentice Alex Ritchie, “it is fairly scary understanding that folks will not get that chance that we get”.

She’s coaching in Darlington, County Durham, and desires of getting her personal salon in the future however worries that with out apprentices, the business will actually battle.

“You may’t run a salon with out having apprentices,” she says.

“They’re your principal help while you’re doing shoppers. It’ll have a large influence on the quantity of salons and what number of shoppers they’ll take.”

Jezz Ellis is head of operations for Saks, a series of salons, and says that until issues change, hairdressing apprenticeships will develop into much less enticing.

Salons are going through a “good storm” he says, which is able to influence what number of apprentices they’ll afford to coach.

“You have received the VAT subject which has all the time been troublesome.”

However there may be additionally the rising subject of insecure or “disguised” employment ensuing from fewer employees jobs being provided.

This implies whereas they could work to a salon’s guidelines and be handled like an worker, they’re truly self-employed so miss out on advantages like sick pay, maternity pay and pensions.

“And with Nationwide Insurance coverage going up and a nationwide minimal wage enhance, it is making it very troublesome for these salons to extend their costs to fulfill the additional prices.

“All of these issues added collectively is simply crippling plenty of salons,” Jezz says.

For Adam Hussain, who’s working in the direction of his stage two apprenticeship in hairdressing, the advantages are massive for individuals like him.

“With out this apprenticeship, I would not be the place I’m immediately,” he says. “I might in all probability be doing God is aware of what.

“Apprenticeships are actually good – you receives a commission to be taught, you are studying on the job, it is a very hands-on profession.”

The British Hair Consortium needs the federal government to behave rapidly forward of the spring forecast on 26 March, the place the Chancellor Rachel Reeves will lay out financial plans for the longer term.

Though the federal government didn’t reply to Newsbeat’s request for remark, the Division for Schooling has beforehand stated it was time apprenticeships have been taken critically.

Final week it introduced adjustments which is able to permit employers to resolve whether or not or not a Maths and English qualification is required to use for some apprenticeships.

Hearken to Newsbeat dwell at 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays – or pay attention again right here.