- 07 June 2026
If you’ve been thinking about taking on an apprentice, this is the moment to stop thinking… and start doing!
This is because the UK government has launched a major employment drive to unlock 200,000 new jobs and apprenticeships, backed by significant investment and reforms, making it easier for SME employers to recruit and train young people.
This means that from 1 October 2026 (backdated for any new starters from 1 July), there are now stronger financial incentives, including £3,000 for hiring eligible young people. All designed to reduce the cost of bringing new talent into your hair and beauty business. So you can now focus on the future and on growing your team.
Apprentices: a smart move for your business!
Apprentices have always made good business sense – even before the new incentives arrived, as hiring an apprentice is already one of the smartest ways to build a salon team.
This is because apprentices don’t just help out, they add REAL value. Government and industry research shows that:
- They boost productivity (78% of employers say so)
- They help fill skill gaps and grow new services
- They bring fresh ideas,creativity and social media skills
- They improve staff retention and loyalty long-term
And most importantly, you also get to train them your way. So not someone else’s version of salon-ready. Your version.
A new generation of talent
New talent is out there – in fact, there’s been a real shift in mindset, where more young people are actively choosing hair and beauty as their future career and are not just falling into it.
This also means the number of applicants looking for an apprenticeship has increased considerably in recent years, and Kleek Apprenticeships has lots of applicants wanting to secure an apprenticeship with you.
The industry is also still facing a skills shortage, so investing in new talent is more important than ever before.
But here’s the part, that is often overlooked: training quality
Hiring an apprentice is one thing. Hiring the right apprentice, with the right training, is what actually delivers results.
That’s where working with Kleek Apprenticeships really makes a genuine difference.
We’re not just ticking boxes – Kleek Apprenticeships train and build job-ready professionals. In fact, one in five of all new hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy apprentices are trained by Kleek Apprenticeships. An impressive statistic and proof that Kleek’s training programmes are a step above other providers, as they consistently excel and lead the way in hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy training excellence.
With Kleek Apprenticeships:
- Training is hands-on and delivered in-salon or in-academy, and not just classroom-based
- Every apprentice receives dedicated one-to-one support from an expert educator, together with all the right theory, knowledge and behaviours to support their practical skills growth
- Learning is also tailored to your business, so you can utilise skills on the salon floor quickly. The programme can be tailored to your needs.
- Apprentice recruitment is also actively supported. Kleek is always working with school leavers and applicants and provides quality checks to ensure a good fit for your salon if you advertise and recruit with us. You can also recruit directly and contact us, ready to enrol. We support whichever route you need.
As a result, your apprentice will receive the best training and qualify as a confident, capable, and genuinely valuable member of your team.
So what are you waiting for? Recruit a new apprentice now
Now is the time to start recruiting and take advantage of the new talent that’s out there.
Timing-wise, from 1 October (effective for 1 July enrolments for a fixed period):
- Funding is stronger – training is now fully funded up to the age of 25
- Financial incentives are higher – employers can receive £3000+*
- Apprentice applicants are ready and waiting
- Government policy is pushing apprenticeships forward
- Access the best hair and beauty apprenticeship training through Kleek Apprenticeships
*Terms and conditions apply.
Put simply – it’s time to recruit your next apprentice!
