An Irvine salon owner has revealed her disappointment after being told that apprenticeship roles are not available for beauty therapy.
Vhari McLaw reached out to Skills Development Scotland (SDS) in a bid to create potential roles as lockdown begins to ease.
But the owner of Dreghorn's My Claws salon and training academy was told by the national skills agency that it would not be possible to create modern apprenticeship roles.
SDS say that there isn't currently framework for such an apprenticeship based on previous lack of demand from employers in the sector.
The mum-of-three said: "I feel angry and disappointed.
"The beauty industry is a billion-pound industry in this country and it's primarily a female-run sector but it's always overlooked.
"I wanted to create an apprentice role but was told there was no such thing for beauty but there is for hair.
"It just seemed so unfair and ridiculous. These are proper qualifications and we're a lucrative industry when open; there should more scope for that."
Eager Vhari's heart sank when her request was denied.
She added: "I want to contribute and help people out, I'm a mum-of-three and I want to help people get jobs, upskill, and get their qualifications.
"I saw the SDS advertisement for modern apprenticeships and was excited of the prospect of helping someone launch their career. I was so disappointed when they told me there was no help."
Pre-pandemic, Greenwood Academy and Irvine Royal both opened nail technician classes for students; highlighting the ever-growing importance of the beauty trade.
Thankfully, North Ayrshire Council gave Vhari the green light for two modern apprenticeship spots.
A thrilled Vhari said: "I'm over the moon the council is allowing me to create two job placements and they'll help me pay their wages for the first six months. This will allow me to put them through training courses as well."
The salon owner has been treating clients and teaching students in the village for over four years but closed her doors in March 2020 due to the Covid pandemic.
Beauty salons are aiming to reopen from Monday, April 26, subject to Scottish Government guidance.
A North Ayrshire Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have recently approved two apprentice positions for My Claws Salon through the UK Government’s Kick Start programme.
"Across North Ayrshire, we are helping to create hundreds of Kick Start positions in a wide range of fields, benefiting both the companies and young people involved.”
A spokesperson for SDS added: “Scottish apprenticeship developments are led by demand from employers and industry.
“There are around 120 different modern apprenticeship frameworks covering hundreds of different job types helping people to work, learn and earn – and supporting employers to develop their workforce.
“There isn’t currently a modern apprenticeship framework in beauty therapy based on previous lack of demand from employers in the sector. There is a wide range of beauty therapy training and accredited qualifications offered by the college sector, including Ayrshire College.
“Information on support for employers including financial assistance for college training through the flexible workforce development fund is available at www.findbusinesssupport.gov.scot.”
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