In 2004, many salon owners reported difficulties in recruitment of technical staff. Skill shortages were noted for:

• 30% beauty therapist
• 11% senior beauty therapist
• 10% nail technician
• 25% stylist/barber
• 25% senior stylist/senior barber
• 20% hairdressing apprentice/trainee

Source: HABIA 2004

The HABIA skills foresight report (HABIA 2002) also noted skill gaps within potential and actual new entrants to the industries. These skill gaps include poor basic literacy and numeracy skills, poor verbal communication skills and ‘attitudinal’ gaps.

A high proportion of the workforce holds some kind of qualification. The matching of capabilities and potential of the new entrant with the correct training programme as well as offering support is, therefore, a key feature of guidance. See Education and training for more information on training and qualifications in the sector.

All industries are dependent on regular repeat business from satisfied clients. This means that besides technical skills, interpersonal skills are very important, especially the ability to meet individual needs. The quality of the service is immediately felt or visible to the client. This level or responsibility is reflected in the importance attached to the training and education of new entrants. According to the HABIA 2000 survey, employers view good verbal communication and social skills plus basic literacy and numeracy skills to be the most highly valued recruitment requirements for trainees.

Source: HABIA 2002

See Occupations for further information on occupational specific skill shortages.