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Running a salon or barbering business is hard work, but AXA Business Insurance wants to make it that little bit easier… 

Why getting an apprentice works for your salon

Training a new staff member can require a large investment of time for a salon or barber shop owner, but adding to your team through an apprenticeship programme can create a lot of benefits. National Apprenticeship Week takes place 6 to 12 February, so now is the ideal time to consider whether taking on an apprentice could be right for you.  
According to apprenticeships.gov.uk, 78 per cent of employers responded that  apprenticeships helped them to improve productivity.* They also boost morale as apprentices are often young people who are happy just to get a foot in the door. In fact, 90 per cent of apprentices stay at their company after having completed their course.* 

Generate new ideas 

Bringing in new staff can always help develop new perspectives and teach existing staff new ways of working. 
Nearly three-quarters of employers said apprenticeships helped them to improve the quality of their service.* Given that the cost of taking on an apprentice is usually quite low, hiring one is a wonderful way to diversify your team and bring extra resources into your salon for a limited outlay.  

Share the load 

As a small salon owner, it’s possible that an apprentice will be your only employee, but they don’t need to be a full-time commitment either.  

Some businesses often share an apprentice with another business. You can have all the benefit of the extra labour from an apprentice for part of the week, but don’t have the full-time commitment of training them and would split the paying of wages as well. This may be a great compromise for small salon or barber shop owners looking to take on a first apprentice.  

Apprentices are extremely cost efficient 

In exchange for spending 20 per cent of their employed time on training and study, the National Apprenticeship Wage rate tends to be lower than your usual employee. And the government will often help pay for apprenticeship training.  
As a small salon or barber shop, it’s unlikely that you’ll need to pay the apprenticeship levy, which means you’ll pay just five per cent towards the cost of training and assessing an apprentice, and the government will pay the rest up to the funding band maximum.  
There may be additional funding or grants depending on where your salon is based as Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland will have different support available. 
But don’t forget, if you do bring on an apprentice, you’ll need employers’ liability insurance. If they’re subject to your supervision and control, they’re considered employees for legal purposes.  

Visit AXA Business Guardian Angel for more useful blogs, in-depth guides and practical advice for your small business

AXA Insurance UK Plc is registered in England and Wales registered number 078950 and authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the  
Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority under Financial Services Register number 202312. *Statistics accurate at time of publication.