Listings - Health and Beauty

Health & Beauty

So, what's it all about?

Cleopatra, ancient queen of Egypt, used to bathe in asses' milk to keep her skin soft. The Elizabethans hid their wrinkles by glazing their skin with raw egg white. Beau Brummell, the infamous 18th century dandy, used to employ three barbers: one for the front and back, and one for each side. (He would also spend five hours getting dressed, and have his boots polished in champagne. What a guy.)

Throughout history, people have gone to great lengths to make themselves beautiful. So it's no surprise that the health and beauty sector is a hugely profitable industry today (by health, in this context, we're talking about making people feel relaxed and good about themselves rather than, say, open heart surgery).

A big part of this is hairdressing. In the UK, there are 36,000 hairdressing salons and barber shops - and since hair doesn't stop growing, it's a business with a secure future. There's a bit more to this than just wielding a pair of scissors though: there are a lot of techniques to learn, from shampooing to finishing, and how to dye hair without burning someone's scalp off.

But there's far more to beauty than just hair. Nail studios, where people come for professional manicures and pedicures, are increasingly popular. And there are plenty of people who're prepared to pay for advice on make-up, skincare products or even choosing the right colour combinations to wear.

It's not just the general public, either. Ever wondered why celebrities often seem to be more attractive than the rest of us? That'll be because they have whole teams of beauty professionals doing their hair and make-up, treating their skin and telling them how to wear their clothes. Even politicians usually get a bit of a makeover before appearing on TV.

A big part of making people look good is making them feel good inside. There's a big demand for spa therapists at the moment. They specialise in moisturising, exfoliating and generally pampering people's skin, as well as other treats and treatments like massage and mud-wrapping.

Many people in the health and beauty industry go on to set up their own businesses, and an Apprenticeship is a great way to gain the knowledge, skills and experience you'll need to do this. [We think our asses' milk and raw egg therapy could be a winner.]

What qualities do I need?

have creative skills and a lot of flair
learn important aspects of science and maths
have a lot of stamina (remember, you're the pamperer, not the pampered)
be good with your hands
have a sparkling personality
have good people skills - it's your job to make your customers feel good about themselves
have a strong commercial sense (if you're considering setting up your own business)
take care of your own appearance
be a good listener and be sensitive to what people want
keep up to pace with fashions and styles

Vital Statistics

Hours: As well as the typical 9-5 Monday-Friday, you're likely to work at weekends (you'll get time off in the week if you do) and maybe evenings too.

Environment: Some beauty salons have a great atmosphere, but not everyone likes the smells and the chemicals. You'll be interacting with the public all day.

Location: Anywhere there are people, basically. While most salons are in towns and cities, a lot of the larger spas are based in beautiful rural retreats.

Apprenticeships in this sector

These are the Apprenticeships currently available in this sector. For more information and for details of the Apprenticeship framework, contact the Sector Skills Council listed after each.