The hair and beauty sector stands out as one of the most varied and profitable industries, attracting numerous young individuals to pursue a career within it.
One popular entry route into this vibrant industry is through undertaking a beauty apprenticeship: enrolling in a beauty apprenticeship. But how long do they last?
So, how long does a beauty apprenticeship last?
The duration of beauty apprenticeships can range widely, from 12 months up to 5 years, with the typical timeframe being around 18 months. This variation in duration can be attributed to several key factors:
Yep. that’s quite broad! And don’t worry they typically take around 18 months. Let’s delve into why there can be a big difference in the length of an apprenticeship.
The beauty apprentice programme length will depend on a few different factors:
1 ) The apprentice’s experience
If you have already worked in a salon or have some formal training then your apprenticeship will likely be shorter. The L2 Beauty Professional Standard is typically 18 months however if you already have some beauty skills this can be completed in 12 months and many apprentices do!
Employers will want to see if you are competent in the specific skills required for the job and also to make sure that you fit into their business culture. Also if you already have some of the skills required to pass your apprentice exams this will shorten the length of your apprenticeship.
On the other hand, if you have no experience and are starting from scratch then your apprenticeship will likely last for between 18 months and 2 years. This might be extended by your employer too if they feel you are not ready to finish your apprenticeship
2 ) The level of qualification you are working towards
Another factor that will determine how long your apprenticeship lasts is the level of qualification you are working towards.
If you are studying for Level Two or Three qualifications then your apprenticeship is likely to last for between 18 and 24 months. Many students choose to go on to further levels which will of course extend the length of time it takes to complete said qualifications.
3) Your working hours
Whilst the recommended working week for an apprentice is 30 hours per week you are able to reduce this in agreeance with your employer.
Some apprentices may only be able to commit to 16 hours a week which could see the length of their apprenticeship extended. This is because the government has stipulated that you need to complete the equivalent of 30 hours per week.
Quite simply, You will need to adjust your hours pro-rata for anything less than 30 hours. So a working week of say, 16 hours, will take about twice as long as a 30 hour week.
Bear in mind the learning aspect of your apprenticeships needs to be 20% of your working hours. This may affect the number of hours you are working power week which in turn will extend your apprenticeship length.
In conclusion, the length of a beauty apprenticeship can vary from 12 months to five years depending on your experience, qualifications and working hours.
It’s important to remember that an apprentice programme is flexible and can be tailored to suit individual needs. So don’t worry if you don’t fit into the “average” apprentice description, there is likely to be a programme that will suit you!
