Hairdressing Apprenticeship

As a hairdressing apprentice, you develop practical skills in cutting, colouring, styling, and treating hair across a range of client types and hair textures. Your training combines on-the-job learning in a registered salon with off-the-job training delivered by your local Education and Training Board (ETB). A typical week involves working alongside experienced stylists in the salon for most of the week, then attending ETB classes to cover theory, health and safety, and business skills. You will learn consultation techniques, chemical processes such as perming and relaxing, and how to manage salon hygiene standards. Some apprentices develop specialisms in barbering, colour correction, or bridal styling as they progress.

Entry to a hairdressing apprenticeship requires you to secure a position with a registered employer, typically a SOLAS-approved salon, before you can formally register. Most employers look for candidates who have completed the Junior Cycle or Leaving Certificate, though there is no fixed minimum Leaving Certificate points requirement. Subjects such as Home Economics, Art, Biology, or Science can be useful background, and good communication skills are valued highly. Mature applicants over 23 can enter directly through employer recruitment, and there are no specific Higher-level subject requirements. Apprenticeship.ie lists registered employers and vacancies, and your local ETB can provide guidance on finding a suitable placement.

Demand for qualified hairdressers in Ireland remains steady, supported by a consistent need for personal grooming services regardless of broader economic trends. The industry experienced significant disruption during the pandemic but has since recovered strongly, with salons across urban and rural Ireland reporting difficulty recruiting qualified staff. Gross annual salaries for employed hairstylists typically range from approximately €24,000 to €38,000, with salon managers and experienced colourists earning towards the higher end. Self-employed stylists can earn considerably more depending on clientele, location, and specialisation.