Beauty therapist
Level 2 · IntermediateHair and beauty 1.3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Beauty Therapist apprenticeship covers a broad range of treatments including facials, waxing, manicures, pedicures and lash and brow services. Apprentices build practical technique alongside client care and retail skills in a salon setting. It can lead to senior therapist, team leader or self-employed beauty professional roles.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Skin analysis and facial massage techniques
Waxing methods for face and body
Manicure and pedicure treatments and nail care
Lash and brow tinting, shaping and extensions
Client consultation and treatment planning
Health, safety and hygiene standards in beauty therapy
Retail and aftercare advice for beauty products
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Consult with clients to assess their treatment needs
Perform facials including cleansing, exfoliation and massage
Carry out waxing treatments to a professional standard
Apply nail treatments and basic nail art
Tint and shape lashes and brows
Set up treatment rooms and sanitise equipment
Recommend homecare products to support treatment results
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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