A new survey conducted by VTCT Skills has revealed what the newest generation of newly qualified stylists think about in terms of their ambitions, their concerns and how they see their careers progressing.
The findings show that the next generation of stylists are going down multiple career pathways once qualified (take a look at some of them here), and it highlights a need for support in building successful and fulfilling careers.
Read Cos Sakkas open letter to apprentices here.
Who Took Part in the VTCT Skills Survey?
The survey quizzed over 260 newly qualified stylists. All had completed their hairdressing qualifications, up to and including Level 3, within the past three years.
The Key Findings from the VTCT Skills Survey
- Diverse Entry Points into the Industry – The survey revealed that hair professionals qualify at all ages. Nearly a quarter (23%) qualified between the ages of 16 -18, with an almost equal spread across 19-25 (24%), 26-35 (25%), and 36-50 (23%), while 5% pursued hairdressing later in life.
- Strong Employment Prospects – The survey supported the idea that the hairdressing industry offers multiple career pathways:
- 34% of respondents are successfully self-employed
- 26% are employed in salons and businesses, enjoying stable careers and ongoing development.
- 17% are pursuing further study, demonstrating a commitment to skill enhancement and career progression.
How Challenges Can be Turned into Opportunities
The newly qualified stylists showed a thirst for further knowledge and they spoke of the challenges of finding work and growing a client base.
- Building Confidence & Securing Clients – 30% of those surveyed mentioned the challenge of finding work and clients, while 17% emphasised the importance of confidence-building. This underscores the need for ongoing mentorship and real-world experience as a newly qualified stylist.
- Expanding Technical Skills – Many professionals wished for additional training in advanced techniques, including:
- Colouring expertise (mentioned 27 times)
- Extensions (13 mentions)
- Afro, textured, and curly hair techniques (15 mentions)
- Perming (15 mentions)
Hairdressers Have a Commitment to Lifelong Learning
The survey revealed that 46% of professionals have actively pursued further training post-qualification, with courses in advanced cutting, barbering, business management, and client acquisition proving popular. This trend highlights a strong dedication newly qualified stylists have to continuous learning and improvement.
Hairdressers Have a Vision of Personal Growth
This new generation of stylists are ambitious with a strong desire to give back and make the industry a great place to work.
- Owning a salon – 32% dream of running their own business and shaping the next generation of stylists.
- Becoming educators – 5% expressed a desire to mentor and train the future workforce.
- Working in a salon – 27% of the respondents wanted to be working in a salon, many of whom are facing challenges
- Freelance/self-employed – 13% referenced wanting to be freelance, self-employed or offering mobile hair services
