The UK’s hairdressing industry is grappling with a recruitment crisis as Gen Z opts out of traditional hairdressing roles, a trend underscored by a 70% decline in apprenticeship enrollments over the past decade. Salon owners report that hiring qualified stylists has become increasingly challenging, with fewer young people willing to enter a field often perceived as low-paid and demanding. In 2023, England saw only 4,160 trainees enrolled in hairdressing apprenticeships, a significant drop from the 13,180 apprentices recorded in 2015, and only a fraction are completing their training.
Leading industry figures, including stylist Josh Wood, emphasize that this talent shortage is impacting the sector’s accessibility and future growth. “It’s a brilliant career,” says Wood, highlighting hairdressing’s role as a path to business ownership and creative success, but he warns that the shrinking talent pool poses a major threat to this legacy.
Financial stress is also affecting salon viability. While beauty salons and nail bars are expanding, traditional hair salons are closing. This trend is tied to high inflation and the VAT “cliff edge” tax threshold, which discourages smaller salons from growing beyond £90,000 in taxable turnover. With increasing energy costs, pandemic losses, and a lack of skilled staff, many salons struggle to balance customer affordability and business costs.
However, industry leaders remain optimistic. Caroline Larissey of the National Hair and Beauty Federation believes there is untapped potential for career growth in hairdressing if it is properly supported. By advocating for educational programs that emphasize skill-building and creative entrepreneurship, the sector hopes to draw young talent back to a career that blends social connection, artistry, and community impact. With renewed focus, hairdressing could once again become an appealing path for future generations.
A Path Forward for Future Talent
The industry is working together to tackle these challenges, calling for policies to make hairdressing more sustainable and appealing as a career. Through improved financial support, better vocational training, and greater appreciation for the profession’s social and economic value, the sector aims to attract and retain passionate new stylists. With these initiatives in place, there is real hope that hairdressing will re-emerge as a career of choice for Gen Z, ensuring vibrant, skilled salons across the UK for years to come.
