- 10 August 2026
- Employer Information & Apprentices & Success Stories &
Is a Level 3 Hairdressing Apprenticeship Worth It? Lily Shares All...
Completing a Level 3 Hairdressing Apprenticeship is a big achievement and one that many apprentices seem to forget about after gaining their Level 2 qualification. For those who do, it offers the opportunity to develop advanced technical skills, build confidence and prepare for a wider range of career opportunities in the hairdressing industry.
After recently completing her Level 3 Hairdressing Apprenticeship with Kleek, we caught up with Lily Spencer from Phase One Hair Boutique in Cheshire to find out what inspired her to continue her training after Level 2 and how it’s shaped her to become the talented stylist she is today...
What inspired you to progress to a Level 3 Hairdressing Apprenticeship, and how has the experience differed from Level 2?
"I think what inspired me most to do my Level 3 was me. If I'm doing something, whether it's big or small, I want to do it to its fullest, so if it doesn't work out, at least I can say I gave it my all. When completing my Level 2, I knew I wasn't done learning in this industry yet. I also saw potential in myself and my work and knew I could achieve more with the right support and extra training."
Photo: Creative rainbow hair colour by Lily Spencer at Phase One Hair Boutique.
Can you tell us about any standout moments, achievements or opportunities so far in your career?
"I think every appointment when a client leaves happy, and knowing I have been the cause of that happiness, is an achievement for me. But one moment that stands out for me so far in my career is when I did a rainbow panel peekaboo colour and saw how clean the result came out. The end result was better than I imagined it would be, and the pride I felt in that moment really stood out to me."
What difference have you noticed in your skills/confidence since doing your Level 3 Hairdressing?
"I feel like by doing my Level 3, I can take on pretty much any client with confidence. There will always be some things that I'm unsure of or know that I won't be best suited to carry out, but the majority of the time I have full faith in myself to execute the job as the client wishes. My confidence has grown massively, both professionally and personally."
How has your Kleek Educator supported you throughout?
"My educators have both been so supportive and helpful. Any time I struggled, they helped me persevere and stayed patient with me (whereas I'm usually the type to throw in the towel if I don't get something right on the first try). They have both helped explain things to me when I didn't quite understand. In my personal life, I have also had a few ups and downs during my whole apprenticeship, and I felt so supported throughout by my educators. I always felt like I was being fully listened to."
Photo: Creative peekaboo hair colour by Lily Spencer at Phase One Hair Boutique.
What's next for you? Tell us about your career goals and aspirations.
"I'm unsure of my future as of now (I'm weighing up the pros and cons of travelling for a few months), but I know I want complete freedom over my career and personal life and want to go down an avenue in my job where I can do both. I think renting a chair or having a home salon will be the best route for me personally."
What trends are you seeing a lot right now in the salon?
"Trends I see in the salon lately are a lot of low-maintenance but high-impact colours, soft, wispy face-framing and fringes, and a lot of layered haircuts to embrace natural waves and curls."
Who would your dream celebrity client be and why?
"My dream celebrity client would be Maura Higgins, mainly because I don't think there would be a dull moment while she's sat in the chair, but also because I think she's one of those people who's so versatile and suits a multitude of different styles, and it would be so fun to play around with that."
Photo: Creative pink hair colour by Lily Spencer at Phase One Hair Boutique.
Would you recommend the apprenticeship route to other young aspiring hairdressers?
"I have and will 100% continue to recommend the apprentice route to any aspiring hairdressers. In my opinion, it's the best way to learn the ropes of the job - it's not all about "playing with hair". You learn how to communicate effectively with different clients of all backgrounds and ages. You can observe stylists who've already established themselves in this career, ask them questions and get honest answers. I also gained a new level of confidence I never had - being thrown in the deep end on day one of the job and having to talk to clients I'd never met before as a very shy, socially awkward person was very daunting, but I'm so grateful for that day. It's made me the person I am now, and I wouldn't change it whatsoever - if anything, I talk too much now!"
Congratulations to Lily on completing her Level 3 Hairdressing Apprenticeship. We're super proud of everything she has achieved and excited to see where her career takes her next!
Check out Lily's creative work over on her Instagram.
Photo: Vivid hair by Lily Spencer at Phase One Hair Boutique.
Inspired to Progress Your Hairdressing Career?
Lily's journey shows just how much a Level 3 Hairdressing Apprenticeship with Kleek can help hairdressers in England develop advanced technical skills, grow in confidence and take the next step in their careers.
If you're an apprentice who's wondering whether to progress after Level 2, let Lily's story be the inspiration you need to further your career. Register now for Level 3 Hairdressing.
If you're a salon owner looking to upskill your current team by developing your in-house talent to offer more advanced and technical hairdressing services, get in touch with Kleek to discuss enrolling them on a Level 3 Hairdressing qualification.