How beauty apprenticeships help nail techs find their place in the industry
By Jess Watts | 27 June 2026 | Business & Education
For Rose Morris, beauty therapy was always more than just a career choice – it was a passion waiting to be discovered. Here’s how her apprenticeship helped her find her dream role in the beauty sector…
Lancashire-based Rose was fascinated by the beauty industry from a young age, inspired by the way it helps people look and feel their best. However, breaking into the industry isn’t always straightforward, so Rose chose a route that would give her a strong start.
“I was drawn to doing an apprenticeship rather than a traditional college route, because of the opportunity to learn hands-on from experienced professionals, while gaining a real-world insight into my day-to-day beauty work,” Rose says.
According to Diane Hey, BABTAC board member & apprenticeship specialist, apprenticeships offer significant advantages: “Apprentices gain a broader understanding of client care, consultation, health & safety, business operations, retailing and professional standards – all of which support future career progression.”
Image courtesy of Linkedin.com
Rose completed her apprenticeship at Molly Rose Beauty in Burscough, Lancashire. “As soon as I walked into the salon, I knew it was the place for me,” she recalls. “Molly Rose Beauty is a fun, down-to-earth environment where clients and staff share a really special bond.”
One of the biggest benefits of the apprenticeship was the opportunity to work directly with clients from the outset. “It allowed me to develop practical skills quickly and build client relationships from day one,” Rose explains. “You’re fully immersed in the role, gaining first-hand experience of the beauty industry’s pace, standards and creativity.”
“On-the-job learning makes such a huge difference,” says Belinda Price, nail educator, Huddersfield salon owner & winner of the Scratch Stars Services to the Nail Industry award 2025. “It gives the learner salon-viable skills, which will see them through their entire career. They develop confidence and can build a clientele much earlier than they would by attending college full-time.”
Experiencing a wide variety of treatments also helped Rose discover where her true passion lies. “I enjoyed all aspects of beauty therapy, but nails quickly became my favourite,” she reveals. “Nail styling allows me to be creative and bring each client’s vision to life. I love experimenting with colours, textures and designs, and making every nail design unique.”
Rose also credits her training provider, Kleek Apprenticeships, for helping her achieve her goals. “The support from Kleek Apprenticeships was something you can’t get from books alone,” she says. “The team brought out the best in me and believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself.”
Kleek Apprenticeships is a UK Government-approved training provider specialising in beauty therapy, wellbeing, barbering and nails. Over the past 20 years, the company has trained more than 8,500 apprentices across over 900 salons.
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While some salon owners may be hesitant to take on an apprentice due to concerns about cost, Diane Hey highlights the support available: “Apprenticeship training costs are heavily subsidised or fully funded for eligible employers, and the UK Government has announced new incentives and opportunities to encourage SME employers to recruit apprentices.
“Additional support with recruitment, mentoring, paperwork and understanding apprenticeship requirements is also supported by a salon’s chosen training provider, which is registered on the APAR register and Ofsted inspected.”
Belinda Price notes the pros of hiring an apprentice as a salon owner: “Developing our own talent has always been my preferred approach to recruitment. It allows us to train individuals from the beginning in our methods, products, protocols and procedures. While it requires investment, the long-term success makes it worthwhile.”
Thanks to her apprenticeship, Rose Morris has been able to become self-employed and manages her own fully-booked column. “I’ve grown so much in terms of my skills and confidence. I never imagined I’d be creating such detailed, creative nail designs,” Rose smiles. “I’m proud of the loyal client base I’ve built up; knowing that so many people trust me with their treatments motivates me to keep learning, improving and offering the best possible services.”
Looking ahead, Rose is focused on enhancing her skillset and expanding her service offering. “I’d like to master more advanced techniques in both nail art and lashes, as well as explore new treatments that keep my work fresh and exciting,” she states.
Visit www.kleekapprenticeships.co.uk for more information on beauty industry apprenticeships & follow Rose’s journey on Instagram.
