This week marks National Apprenticeship Week, a time to celebrate the vital role apprenticeships play in shaping the future of the hair and beauty industry.

At Sentio Salons, we are strong advocates for high-quality education and hands-on training, ensuring that trainees and juniors receive the support they need to develop their skills while salons remain protected.

 

How Do Apprenticeships Work in Salons?

Apprenticeships are a key route into the hair and beauty industry, combining practical salon experience with formal training. Traditionally, salons have been able to train apprentices in-house while they work towards an NVQ or equivalent qualification. However, recent changes in insurance policies have made it harder for juniors to gain hands-on experience.

 

New Insurance Challenges for Salon Apprentices & Trainees

Some insurers have tightened restrictions on trainees, requiring them to complete a full year at college before they can even wash or dry hair in a salon. This change can be problematic for both salons and apprentices, as it limits the amount of real-world experience juniors gain early in their careers.

 

How Sentio Salons Supports Salons & Apprentices

At Sentio Salons, we believe in balancing education with practical training. That’s why we take a more realistic approach to insuring salons with apprentices, ensuring they can develop their skills safely without unnecessary barriers. Under our policies:

• Trainees and juniors can wash and dry hair unsupervised, as long as their training is properly recorded.
• Other treatments beyond this will be allowed whilst under the supervision of a qualified person.
• A qualified person is defined as someone with at least an NVQ Level 2 or equivalent, or three years of continuous industry experience, protecting those with ‘grandfather rights’ in the industry.

 

Why This Matters for Salon Owners

Strict insurance policies could make it harder for salons to recruit and train new talent. Our approach allows salons to continue developing the next generation of stylists while maintaining proper risk management. Apprenticeships should be encouraged, not restricted, and we’re committed to supporting both salons and their trainees.

If you’re a salon owner and want to discuss how your trainees and juniors are covered, get in touch with us today.