The complete solution

Laura Dutton, marketing executive at Premier Workwear looks at why a rising number of students are opting for a career in the hair and beauty industry.

With an increasing number of beauty salons and nail bars popping up on our high street, comes a demand for qualified individuals to carry out our must-have treatments. Manicures, tinted brows and hair colour treatments have become a necessity rather than a luxury for most, with the average women visiting a hair or beauty salon up to 12 times a year.

With relatively low start-up costs, hairdressing salons are the fifth most popular independent start-up businesses and beauty salons are the eighth most popular.

A career in the industry is relatively accessible to most, with many salons working in conjunction with local colleges to offer apprenticeship schemes where students can benefit from practical on-the-job training whilst earning a wage. Such a career can offer a great deal flexibility, inspiration and variety which may go some way to explain why the industry is dominated by women with nine in 10 employed being females who are likely to be seeking a suitable work-life balance.

The opportunity for career progression is huge as more and more weird and wacky treatments become available there is this ongoing need for qualified individuals to carry out these intricate and often delicate procedures. Specialise in a certain field and you could earn big-bucks with your knowledge and expertise becoming highly sought-after.

Most colleges and higher education campuses run a wealth of hair and beauty courses with a large intake of students each term. While training, these students will be required to wear a uniform that identifies them as a skilled learner as well as offering a level of protection and coverage against the inevitable spillages while using the potions and lotions of the trade.

As a re-seller there is a great opportunity to pitch to local education campuses to see what clothing coverage is needed for students on these courses.

Premier provides the complete solution with a salonwear range that is both aesthetically pleasing and practical. Here are my top tips for selling the collection:

• Consider the practicality of a uniform; will it hinder anyone’s ability to do their job? A beauty tunic would be suitable for a student doing nail artistry while a polo shirt is better for student learning sports massage techniques.
• We all come in different shapes in sizes, so make sure you have the full sizing range at your disposal. Premier beauty tunics are fitted with bust, back darts and side vents and are designed to flatter the female figure, with sizes 6 – 24 available.
• All Premier tunics and polo shirts are suitable for print and embroidery embellishment; offer your skills in this area and advise on how the addition of a college logo or student name is a nice personal touch – and also acts as a great advertising.
• Stock up on Premier beauty brochures. This handy A5 brochure is the perfect handout and focuses solely on uniform solutions for the beauty, spa and therapy professions.