The National Hair & Beauty Federation welcomes plans to give young people access to high-quality technical education, work experience and links with employers from the age of 14.
Hair, beauty and barbering offer skilled, creative careers in communities across the country. The NHBF is calling for the sector to be explicitly included as the new pathways are developed and for small employers to receive practical support to provide meaningful work experience and progression into apprenticeships.
The need is urgent. In the NHBF’s February State of the Sector 2026 survey, only 20 of 423 respondents expected to take on an apprentice in the following three months, while 388 said they were unlikely or definitely not planning to do so.
Cathy Weston, NHBF Director of Quality & Standards said:
“Technical skills should be valued whether they are developed in a salon or in a classroom.
Giving young people early access to technical education through skills training and work experience with employers helps them develop practical skills, build confidence and take their first steps towards a successful career.
We welcome the Prime Minister’s ambition to give young people earlier access to practical education and real workplaces. Hair, beauty and barbering should be part of that offer from the outset. These are skilled, creative careers that provide routes into employment, management and entrepreneurship in every part of the country.
But inspiring young people is only the first step. There must be viable apprenticeships and jobs for them to progress into. That means working directly with our sector and giving small employers practical support to offer safe, high-quality experience and training.
“The NHBF stands ready to work with Government, mayors, schools and training providers to make sure these new pathways lead to genuine opportunities for young people.”