The number of people in work hits highest levels since records began, says the NHBF

The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) for January to March 2018 shows that the employment rate – the proportion of people aged 16-64 who are in work – is now the highest since records began back in 1971.  The number of people who are looking for work is 116,000 less than for the same period the previous year. 

So what does this mean for the hairdressing, barbering and beauty industries? 

Hilary Hall, NHBF chief executive said, “We’re hearing all the time from salons that recruiting qualified staff and apprentices is becoming more and more difficult and, according to a recent NHBF survey, two thirds of employers are struggling with recruitment.

We have also highlighted research from the Local Data Company which shows that barbers, beauty salons, nail bars, and hair and beauty salons are all in the top 10 of new businesses opening.  So there are also more employers in our sector competing with each other for staff with the right skills. 

The latest figures from the ONS show that the shortage of people looking for work is affecting employers across all sectors, not just hairdressing, barbering or beauty, so competition for school leavers has never been tougher.”

Emma Bavin from Choose Hair added, “Yet there are pockets in the country where there are apprentices who can’t find salons, so we’ve set up a job board to match apprentices and salons.  Salons can post apprenticeship vacancies on there for free.  We help salons and barbershops to actively promote hairdressing as a career in schools, showing the exciting opportunities apprenticeships offer to young people who are outgoing, creative and great at interacting with other people.”

Choose Hair is an initiative set up to fight the current recruitment crisis in the hair industry and help inspire young people into the industry.

For further information on Choose Hair please visit: www.choosehair.co.uk