DEBATE
Should You Pay to Upskill Staff?
Three hairdressers discuss who should pay for staff training and development
CHARLOTTE O’FLANAGAN, OWNER, CHARLOTTE PAINTS HAIR STUDIO
1“As a salon owner who is passionate about growing both my brand and my team, I strongly believe that yes, we should invest in upskilling our staff. Supporting their growth means supporting the success of the business. When my team produces great work, it reflects directly on me -not only as a stylist but as a business owner. It’s my name on the door, and the quality of work across the salon needs to consistently reflect the high standards I’ve built the business on. My team represents more than just the salon, they are an extension of my personal brand. That’s why education is so important. Of course, it comes at a cost, but I believe it’s a worthwhile investment. In the long term, the benefits far outweigh the initial expense. When we upskill, we reduce mistakes, avoid refunds, and cut down on time spent fixing errors. Plus, when one team member learns something new, they can share that knowledge with the rest of the team, creating a culture of growth and continuous improvement. As an employer, I see it as my responsibility to lead by example. By encouraging my team to learn, improve, and be the best they can be, I’m showing them that I believe in their potential. That kind of support and encouragement can be incredibly motivating. People want to work for someone who invests in them, who pushes them to grow and succeed. Upskilling isn't just about training -it's about building a strong, confident, and capable team that lifts the entire salon. And that, in turn, keeps clients coming back.”
PHILL GALLAGHER, OWNER DOT HAIR
2“Training is something that we built the salon on. We changed product companies early on into the salon opening because there wasn't an academy close by and we encourage two to three courses a year for all staff. Hairdressing is an ever-evolving industry, so it's nice to see other ways of doing stuff. I think it's incredibly important to keep things fresh, otherwise it's very easy to become stagnant. I think there is the fear of paying for someone to go on a course and them leaving. People don't want to invest in people if they're not really committed to the brand or to the salon, but I think you have to upskill, otherwise you're selling yourself short. You can't go in with the attitude of “people might leave one day” because surely you want your stylists to be the best they can be. They're working for you, and you want them to be busy, successful, and educated. We have six stylists at different levels. Our Art Director monitors them and when I sit down in their one-to-ones, I go through what courses are coming up in the year, which ones are they interested in and give them the choice of what they want to do. They've got to be interested in it. There's no point sending someone on a course and they come back more disinterested than when they went. If someone does go on a course, they will bring all that knowledge back into the salon as well, so it continues to pay for itself.”
LOUISE GRAHAM, CREATIVE COLOURIST, FRUITION HAIR
3“As a staff member, I’ve invested significantly in my own training, alongside training partially or fully funded by my employer. In my experience, funding often depends on how directly the training benefits the salon. Most salon owners want to offer upskilling opportunities as it's great for growth and staff retention, but these expectations should be clearly discussed before employment begins. It isn’t solely the employer’s responsibility unless agreed beforehand. Employees must also show initiative by making the most of in-house training before expecting paid external courses. I’ve heard of people being refused training but never without a valid reason – often due to cost. If a team member is passionate about a course that mainly benefits their personal development, they should be prepared to invest in it themselves. I’ve personally done this. Other reasons for refusal include a full appointment book or the training being beyond the staff member’s current skill level. I don’t believe any business owner in a positive environment would discourage upskilling without good reason. Salons face rising product and operational costs, and sometimes owners must choose between funding an external course or hiring an apprentice. One benefits an individual; the other supports team efficiency, client satisfaction and morale. A key thing to remember is that while you may focus on your own development, a business has to balance the growth of everyone and invest in areas to benefit the whole team.”
