Is training an ongoing priority in your beauty salon? If not, it should be. It’s bad for business if your employees are stuck in a rut and don’t keep up with the latest trends, treatments and ways of working. But you also need to control costs and ensure the training you provide suits the needs of your business and your employees.
This blog post covers:
- The importance of training
- Beauty therapist qualifications and CPD
- Managing the costs of training
- Recouping costs if your employee leaves
- Health and safety training
- Induction for new employees
- Taking on an apprentice
- Checklist
The importance of training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
By investing in your beauty salon staff you are investing in the continued success of your beauty business. Your employees are your greatest asset and a commitment to their ongoing training and development will encourage staff loyalty, help retain key talent, and boost staff engagement in your business. Your employees will be better equipped to help you stay ahead of the competition.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) refers to the skills, knowledge and experience that staff gain through learning and development activities beyond their initial training.
An ongoing training programme to support your beauty salon staff’s CPD will help to:
- Ensure your employees feel valued.
- Reduce employee turnover.
- Create a pool of employees ready for more senior roles.
- Give your employees a wider understanding of your beauty business.
- Enhance your reputation as an employer and attract a wider pool of quality candidates.
- Tackle workplace issues, for example, if your team is struggling with a particular skill or task
- Keep up to date with the latest skills, techniques, developments, products and technology.
Beauty therapist qualifications and CPD
Keeping up to date with beauty industry knowledge, new treatments and best practice is important for you and your staff. Achieving qualifications, attending industry events or manufacturers’ training are all good ways to develop your skills and benefit your business.
There are a number of ways staff can keep up to date with the latest techniques, products and technology or to enhance their customer service or selling skills.
You need to make sure:
- The training course offers good value for money and will help to boost your business.
- Your employee will gain a qualification from a UK-accredited awarding organisation.
- Any additional services your employee will be offering are covered by your insurance.
Be sure that you and your employees have the necessary training and qualifications for the type of treatments you want to offer in your beauty salon. Your insurance will not cover you for treatments you and your staff are not qualified to carry out.
NHBF Members can download our detailed Qualifications and Age Restrictions fact sheet.
Managing the costs of training
Investing in staff training does not have to be expensive. Low-cost options include online courses and in-house training. In addition, staff who have been on paid-for courses can share their new knowledge and skills with the rest of the team.
Ask your product suppliers if they provide any free training.
Consider the needs of your employees and your business goals before committing to paying for training. Only go ahead if you’re confident your employee will add value to your beauty salon as a direct result of the training.
Consider the investment against the outcome. For example, a reputable skin rejuvenation course may be initially expensive, but will attract more clients, extend your portfolio of services and increase profits once established.
Don’t forget your own training and development too!
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Our guide to recruiting and employing people is available to NHBF Members only. Find out more and join us today
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Recouping costs if your employee leaves
Are you worried about paying for training only to see your employee leave shortly afterwards? You can avoid this financial loss by including training fee arrangements in your employment contracts.
Our employment contracts, which are available free to NHBF Members, set out how much your employee would have to pay towards training if they resign during or shortly after a training course.
This means that the longer they stay, the longer your business will benefit from the training and the less they will have to pay back.
Make sure the employee fully understands the arrangements before you agree to pay for the training. They must understand and agree that, if necessary, you will deduct the costs of training from their final salary as set out in the contract.
Read our blog post to discover ways to reward your salon team for long-term loyalty and business success.
Health and safety training in your beauty salon
The law says you must provide health and safety training for your beauty salon staff. Employees must have training before they are exposed to any risk and you must record it has taken place.
‘Little and often’ is a good rule for ongoing health and safety training. This ensures health and safety stays at the forefront of your employees’ minds. Consider setting aside 15 minutes at every staff meeting to cover particular issues.
You’ll need to have at least one appointed person to be in charge of first aid arrangements in your beauty salon. It’s also recommended that at least one person is trained in emergency first aid at work (EFAW). Find EFAW training courses run by the NHBF.
Read our blog post for more information about health and safety in your beauty salon.
For complete peace of mind, buy our Beauty Health & Safety Toolkit created specifically for beauty salons. It contains everything you need to stay legal while protecting your clients and staff against a range of potential hazards and health risks. Contents include the health and safety poster required by law and template documents for use in your beauty salon.
Induction for new beauty salon employees
Demonstrate your commitment to staff training and development from the moment a new employee joins you. Set aside time on their first day to introduce them to everyone, show them around, and explain where everything is. Make sure they understand how breaks and rotas work and give them plenty of opportunities to ask questions. Put time aside early on to discuss:
- How the probation period will work.
- Who they will report to on a day-day-day level, and who they should raise questions or concerns with.
- The staff review and assessment procedures and what their targets will be.
- The beauty salon rules and policies, for example, dress code or uniform.
- Your health and safety policy, and fire and first aid procedures.
- Your salon’s pension scheme and whether your new employee is eligible to join (based on earnings and age).
Don’t forget the importance of training your front-of-house staff – receptionist skills can make or break the client experience and make a huge difference to your bottom line. Find out more in our blog post.
Read our blog post on setting up your own beauty business.
Taking on an apprentice
Taking on an apprentice is an excellent way to grow your own loyal workforce to suit the needs and culture of your business. It’s also your chance to pass on your skills and experience to a new generation
Not sure where to start? Read our blog posts to discover some top tips on how to find an apprentice and some of the practicalities involved including the new Trailblazer apprenticeship standards in England and funding.
Find in-depth information about apprenticeships in the UK.
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Do you want to set up your own beauty business? This expert guide takes you through the process step by step – from deciding if you’re ready to start your own business to the excitement of throwing open your doors for the first time.
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Checklist
- Ongoing staff training is vital to the success of your beauty business.
- Choose training that will make a real difference to your beauty salon.
- Explore low-cost options such as online and in-house training.
- Ensure your employment contract covers recouping training costs if your employee leaves.
- The law says you must provide health and safety training.
- Ensure new employees have a warm welcome and thorough induction.
- Taking on an apprentice is a great way to grow your own loyal workforce.
The NHBF
Do you have your own beauty salon? Are you running a beauty business as a space/room renter? The NHBF (NHBF) is your one-stop shop for expert advice and support tailored specifically for your beauty business. Find out more about the benefits of becoming an NHBF Member.