September 2025 cohort now enrolling — government-funded training for eligible learners. Apply today
Everything you need to know before you apply — from what an apprenticeship actually involves on a day-to-day basis, to the career and salary progression you can expect once you qualify.
An apprenticeship is a real job with training. You earn a wage, work in a salon, and study for a nationally recognised qualification at the same time — fully funded by the government and your employer.
Apply NowWe do not just deliver training visits. PLUMS provides wraparound support that keeps learners progressing, engaged and ready to achieve their best grade.
You are allocated a personal Skills Coach before your programme starts. They visit your salon every 4 to 6 weeks, deliver your off-the-job learning, review your progress and act as your primary point of contact throughout.
All learning evidence, observations and feedback is captured in OneFile — our digital portfolio platform. You can access it 24/7 from any device to track your progress, submit evidence and message your Skills Coach between visits.
If you do not hold GCSEs at Grade 4/C or above, or equivalent Functional Skills, we arrange tuition and assessment as part of your programme at no extra cost. You must achieve Level 2 in English and Maths before your Gateway Review.
All PLUMS staff are DBS-checked and safeguarding-trained. We have a designated Safeguarding Officer you can contact directly if you have any concerns about your safety, wellbeing or working environment.
In the months before Gateway, your Skills Coach runs dedicated EPA preparation sessions — mock practicals, timed professional discussion practice and full review of the assessment criteria. Our 2023/24 first-attempt pass rate was 94%.
Our Learner Services Coordinator supports you with any admin, funding queries, employer issues or pastoral concerns throughout the programme. You are never just a number on a register — we know your name and your situation.
Most apprenticeships take 12 to 15 months. Here is a realistic breakdown of the typical journey with PLUMS.
Your Skills Coach conducts an initial assessment to understand your current knowledge, skills and behaviours. You sign your Commitment Statement, receive your OneFile login and start learning the basics of your standard. Expect one or two salon visits from your coach in this phase.
This is the heart of the programme. Regular coach visits, observation of your practical skills, off-the-job learning (minimum 6 hours per week), written assignments and knowledge tests. You build a portfolio of evidence in OneFile demonstrating competence against each element of the standard.
Your coach reviews all evidence with you and begins focused EPA preparation. You practise timed practicals, rehearse your professional discussion answers and ensure all off-the-job hours are logged. Your employer provides an interim review of your performance.
A formal three-way meeting between you, your employer and your PLUMS coach confirms you have met all Gateway requirements — off-the-job hours, English and Maths, portfolio completeness and employer confirmation of readiness. Once Gateway is passed, EPA is booked.
An independent EPA Organisation assesses your competence through a practical observation and professional discussion. Results are usually issued within 6 weeks. On achievement you receive your apprenticeship certificate, your Level 2 or Level 3 qualification and your EPA grade.
Hairdressing and barbering offer genuine, structured career progression — from apprentice to salon owner. Below is a typical pathway with indicative UK salary ranges.
National minimum wage applies. Typical starting salary in Bedfordshire during training.
Post-qualification, typically 1–2 years. Working a full column and building a client base.
3–5 years' experience. Commission often available. Many achieve this with an L3 qualification.
Advanced L3 achievers and those with strong business skills. May manage team and training.
Self-employment, brand work, editorial styling or teaching. The UK creative industries pathway.
The UK hair and barbering sector continues to grow. These figures from 2024 data illustrate why training in hair is a sound career investment.
Hair and barbering businesses currently operating in the UK
People employed across UK hairdressing and barbering
PLUMS first-attempt EPA pass rate in the 2023/24 academic year
Barbering is the third fastest-growing trade apprenticeship in England
Annual retail and service turnover of the UK hair and beauty sector
PLUMS completers still employed in the sector 12 months after achievement
Complete this short form and a member of our team will be in touch within one working day to discuss the right programme and next steps.
Yes. You are an employee for the full duration of the apprenticeship. The national minimum apprenticeship wage currently applies in the first year, but many PLUMS partner salons pay above this. After 12 months or on turning 19 (whichever is earlier), national minimum wage for your age applies automatically. We discuss expected wages at the enrolment stage.
This is not a barrier to starting. Functional Skills Level 2 in English and Maths is the equivalent of a Grade 4 GCSE and can be studied alongside your apprenticeship. PLUMS arranges and funds Functional Skills tuition for learners who need it — it is treated as part of your off-the-job learning. You simply need to achieve Level 2 before your Gateway Review.
Your Skills Coach visits your workplace every 4 to 6 weeks throughout the programme — typically for 1.5 to 2 hours per visit. Between visits you can contact them via OneFile or phone. In the EPA preparation phase, visits often increase in frequency. Most learners have around 12 to 16 face-to-face visits over the course of the programme.
Yes — we conduct a Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) assessment at the start of your programme. Where you can already demonstrate competence against elements of the standard, your coach can credit this and reduce the overall duration accordingly. RPL can reduce a 15-month programme to 12 months in some cases.
Changing employers during an apprenticeship is possible and more common than people think. If your salon closes, you leave your current role or circumstances change, contact us immediately. PLUMS will work with you to find a new employer match and transfer your learning record. No progress is lost — your OneFile evidence and training record all carries over.