How to become an FE hairdressing lecturer

Check out our latest hairdressing teaching jobs.

The hairdressing industry is worth £6.3 billion per year according to the Making The Cut report. In 2020, there were almost 45,000 hair and beauty salon businesses in the UK — an increase of more than 1,000 from a year previous — highlighting a thriving industry.

With such a spike in popularity, the report states the hairdressing industry needs to address “a lack of fundamental business skills, and awareness of how and where to acquire those skills”. Hairdressing isn’t threatened by automation and it’s a skill you keep for life; therefore, educators play a vital part in nurturing the talent the industry needs.

85% of salon owners surveyed said that training and skills were top contributors to growth, so this is your chance to make a difference by training the next generation of stylists.

What qualifications do I need to become an FE hairdressing lecturer?

You will need a GCSE (or equivalent qualification) in maths and English at grade C or above when you apply, or, you must complete this during the probationary period. You will also need to hold a specialist subject qualification at degree level, plus a teaching qualification (a Certificate in Education if you are following a vocational route, or a PGCE if you are a graduate).

Successful applicants will often be required to teach levels 1-3 hairdressing NVQ courses and will need to hold a relevant advanced professional qualification (Level 3 NVQ or equivalent) in Hairdressing, or, obtain one within 2 years of the first available course.

Knowledge and understanding of excellent teaching, learning and assessment practices and quality assurance within the industry will help you get noticed by assessors.

What personal qualities are desirable for a FE hairdressing lecturer?

Sarah Seaman, hair and beauty teacher at Barnsley College, saw a gap in the market for someone with her skills and desire to improve the hairdressing industry through imparting her knowledge to the next generation. “My background is hairdressing,” she explains. “I loved working in the industry but became passionate about making it better. People kept telling me they were qualified but not quite salon-ready so I saw a gap that needed bridging.”

Hairdressing is a “exciting and challenging environment” due to hairdressing lecturers wishing to “do [their] best for every student,” Seaman asserts. “This year we had a 99% pass rate – it’s hard to beat that feeling that you have set these students up for life.”

An FE hairdressing lecturer’s core duties include:

lesson preparation and planning
Delivering a high standard of teaching and learning resources
Assessing, recording and evaluating the progress and work of students
Providing constructive feedback and guidance

Good interpersonal and presentation skills are also highly desirable for potential employers.

It’s a good idea to keep abreast of new legislation, procedures and techniques in the sector. Social media is a great place to gain relevant insights into current and emerging trends. As Katy Wayne, course leader/lecturer in hair, beauty, media and nails at Buxton & Leek College, says: “Facebook is full of inspiring ideas on style, trend and colours; it’s vital to keep up your knowledge and skills.”

She explains that FE hairdressing lecturers should never be afraid of shaking things up in the classroom: “For anyone entering teaching, if something from your planning isn’t working in a lesson, think on your feet and change it. Go with the flow — don’t dictate the lesson but sculpt it as you go. Don’t be afraid to implement a change of pace or focus if it’s where that lesson leads naturally.”

Typical duties of an FE hairdressing lecturer

“No two days are the same,” Seaman says, “given the diverse mix of levels and courses I manage across the department plus my overseeing of the on-site restaurant and salons that are operated by students and open to the public.”

She adds: “I do a high level of monitoring teaching, learning and assessment, and seek out new ventures/ideas that may enhance their programme. We equip our students to be industry-ready.” On that last point, the pride in playing a key part in a student’s development can be a wonderful reason to get into the FE hairdressing teaching profession.

“It’s an exciting and challenging environment because you want to do your best for every student,” states Seaman. “This year we had a 99% pass rate – it’s hard to beat that feeling that you have set these students up for life.”

What salary can FE hairdressing teachers earn?

A qualified FE hairdressing lecturer can expect to earn anything between £24,747 and £38,387 in the UK. With experience and promotion, this can rise to just over £49,000 for those gaining advanced teaching and training levels.

Talent.com puts the median average hairdressing lecturer salary at £31,685 in the UK, which is more or less in line with the UK’s median annual pay for full-time employees (£31,461) for the tax year ending April 2020.

Recognising the hairdressing sector in the UK

In 2021 the government announced that ‘personal care’ is now recognised as a specific sector in its own right. This means that hair, beauty and spa will no longer be grouped with retail and hospitality when the government makes decisions.

The British Beauty Council welcomed the “far-reaching positive implications: raising awareness outside of the industry; allowing government to improve its understanding of this dynamic, economically valuable and highly innovative sector, and paving the way for future financial support”.

The impact of the move on the FE hair and beauty sector should be overwhelmingly positive. Hairdressing will now gain the recognition and credibility it deserves, as well as benefitting from dedicated and specific support from the government.

There’s never been a better time to make the leap to teaching the next generation.