‘Good storm’ might see finish of salon apprenticeships

Salon house owners are warning they may not be capable of tackle any new apprentices inside two years as a consequence of monetary pressures.

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

Apprentices have advised REPORTAHOLICS Newsbeat the schemes are an necessary alternative for individuals who do not wish 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 a substitute of using stylists to keep away from paying the tax.

A report by CBI Economics discovered that’s more likely 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 might plummet by 93% by 2030”.

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

She’s coaching in Darlington, County Durham, and desires of getting her personal salon at some point however worries that with out apprentices, the trade will actually wrestle.

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

“They’re your major assist whenever you’re doing shoppers. It’ll have a large affect 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 except issues change, hairdressing apprenticeships will turn into much less engaging.

Salons are dealing with a “good storm” he says, which can affect what number of apprentices they’ll afford to coach.

“You’ve got acquired the VAT challenge which has all the time been tough.”

However there’s additionally the rising challenge of insecure or “disguised” employment ensuing from fewer workers jobs being provided.

This implies whereas they may work to a salon’s guidelines and be handled like an worker, they’re really 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 improve, it is making it very tough for these salons to extend their costs to satisfy the additional prices.

“All of these issues added collectively is simply crippling a variety 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 folks like him.

“With out this apprenticeship, I would not be the place I’m at the moment,” he says. “I would most likely 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 desires the federal government to behave shortly 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 mentioned it was time apprenticeships have been taken severely.

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

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