Build your career in beauty with ISA Training
From creating beautiful nail designs to delivering professional beauty treatments, a career in the beauty industry combines creativity, technical skill and the opportunity to make a real difference to how clients look and feel.
At ISA Training, we specialise in beauty, nails, hair and barbering apprenticeships across Wales. Our work-based qualifications allow you to develop practical skills in a real salon environment while gaining a nationally recognised qualification and earning a wage.
For salons and beauty businesses, apprenticeships also provide a valuable way to recruit new talent, develop existing employees and build the skills your business needs.
What will you learn on a beauty apprenticeship?
Depending on your qualification, your apprenticeship could include:
• Skincare and facial treatments
• Manicures and pedicures
• Nail services
• Make-up
• Waxing
• Lash and brow treatments
• Massage
• Client consultation
• Promoting products and services
• Salon reception and professional duties
• Health, safety and hygiene
• Customer service
• Promotional and organisational activities..
Why choose an ISA beauty or nail apprenticeship?
Learn in a real salon
Apprenticeships are built around workplace learning, so you can develop practical skills while working with real clients in a professional salon environment.
Train with beauty specialists
ISA Training specialises in hair, beauty and barbering apprenticeships. Our trainer coaches understand the industry and provide ongoing support throughout your qualification.
Build practical experience
Beauty and nail services are hands-on professions. An apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to practise your skills in the workplace while developing confidence and professional experience.
Develop your existing team
For salon owners, apprenticeships can provide a structured way to upskill existing staff and help team members gain recognised qualifications.
Explore your creativity
From nail art and make-up to beauty treatments and massage, our qualifications allow you to develop the specialist skills that match your interests and career ambitions.
Fully funded training
Eligible apprenticeships are fully funded by the Welsh Government, meaning there is no training fee for eligible learners or employers.
Different levels of beauty apprenticeships
The Level 2 Beauty Professionals program is designed for those seeking to cultivate a diverse skill set, covering everything from skincare to manicures, waxing, and lash treatments. Alternatively, our Level 2 Nails qualification is tailored for individuals with a passion for nails, aspiring to become adept nail technicians.
For those with more industry experience, Level 3 provides an ideal progression from Level 2. The Level 3 Beauty Therapy – Massage course elevates massage techniques, allowing professionals to deliver a truly unique and relaxing experience to their clients. Similarly, our Level 3 Nails qualification caters to seasoned nail artists aiming to enhance their expertise in creating exceptional nail art.
Apprenticeships for salons and beauty businesses
An apprenticeship can be a useful part of your salon’s recruitment and staff development strategy.
Whether you’re looking to bring a new person into the business or help an existing employee gain a recognised qualification, ISA Training can support you through the apprenticeship process.
You can use an apprenticeship to:
• Recruit and develop new talent
• Upskill existing members of your team
• Develop specialist beauty or nail skills
• Address skills gaps within your business
• Support employee progression
• Build a stronger pipeline of future talent
If someone already works for you and wants to gain a recognised qualification, they may be able to complete an apprenticeship in their current role, subject to eligibility.
Our team can help you understand the available qualifications and find the right route for your business.
Level 2 Beauty Professionals
18 Months
Our qualification guarantees you’ve got the knowledge to kickstart your career in the beauty industry. You will learn how to promote services and products to clients, fulfil salon reception duties, as well as spread your artistic wings with make-up services. Suitable for those with drive, enthusiasm and a passion for the beauty industry.
Level 3 Beauty Therapy - Massage
18 Months
Our qualification is ideal for experienced beauty therapists who are looking to specialise in massage, and is especially suited to those who have completed our Level 2 Beauty Therapy apprenticeship. Develop your skills further so you can provide your clients with the best experience possible. You will learn promotional and organisational activities, alongside key massage techniques.
Level 2 Nail Services
18 Months
Our qualification will provide you with foundation knowledge to develop your nail artistry skills when beginning work as a beauty therapist. You will learn essential services including manicure and pedicure, and you will get the opportunity to showcase your artistic talents. This is perfect for those who are new to the industry and aspiring to become a skilled nail technician.
Level 3 Nail Services
18 Months
Boost your career further with a focus on advanced nail techniques and allow your creativity to flourish. Our qualification is suitable for experienced nail technicians. You will also learn how to contribute to the planning and implementation of promotional activities.
" It’s opened my eyes to the possibilities of working in different areas of the salon. "
What happens after a beauty or nail apprenticeship?
Completing an apprenticeship gives you practical experience alongside a nationally recognised qualification, helping you take the next step in your career.
Depending on your qualification, experience and ambitions, you could progress into roles such as:
• Beauty therapist
• Nail technician
• Massage therapist
• Senior beauty therapist
• Senior nail technician
• Salon or spa supervisor
• Salon or spa manager
Some experienced beauty professionals choose to specialise in a particular treatment, become self-employed, work from home or rent a space within a salon.
You can also continue developing your skills through further qualifications and training in areas such as leadership, customer service, digital marketing and social media for business.
Beauty Therapy apprenticeships in Wales FAQs
ISA Training offers a range of beauty and nail apprenticeships, including:
• Level 2 Beauty Therapy
• Level 3 Beauty Therapy – Massage
• Level 2 Nail Services
• Level 3 Nail Services
Each qualification is designed for a different stage of your career and experience.
A nail technician apprenticeship combines employment with practical training and learning towards a recognised qualification.
You develop your nail skills in a real salon environment while gaining experience with clients and earning a wage.
Beauty apprenticeships are available to eligible learners aged 16 and over who live and work in Wales.
There is no upper age limit, so apprenticeships can be suitable for people starting their career as well as adults already working in the beauty industry.
Yes. Apprenticeships are work-based qualifications, so you’ll need to be employed in a suitable salon or beauty setting where you can complete the practical elements of your qualification.
If you already work in a salon, you may be able to complete an apprenticeship with your existing employer, subject to eligibility.
Yes. Apprenticeships can be used to develop existing members of your team as well as recruit new employees.
If a member of your salon team wants to gain a recognised beauty or nail qualification, speak to ISA Training about the options available.
Eligible beauty and nail apprenticeships are fully funded by the Welsh Government, meaning there is no training fee for eligible learners or employers.
The length of an apprenticeship depends on the qualification and the learner’s circumstances.
Our Level 2 Beauty Therapy and Level 2 Nail Services qualifications take approximately 21 months, while Level 3 Beauty Therapy – Massage and Level 3 Nail Services are also structured as longer-term work-based programmes.
Speak to our team for the current duration of the qualification you’re interested in.
Beauty and nail apprenticeships are practical, work-based qualifications, so the practical elements need to be completed in a suitable workplace.
You can also complete independent learning remotely using online learning resources to support your qualification.
Level 2 is designed to build a broad foundation of beauty therapy skills and is suitable for people starting their career.
Level 3 is aimed at learners who already have experience and want to develop more specialist skills. For example, Level 3 Beauty Therapy – Massage focuses on developing massage techniques and related professional skills.
Level 2 Nail Services focuses on developing the essential skills needed to begin working as a nail technician, including core nail services and nail artistry.
Level 3 is designed for more experienced nail technicians who want to develop more advanced techniques and refine their professional skills.
Yes. A Level 2 Nail Services apprenticeship can provide the foundation skills and workplace experience needed to begin a career as a nail technician.
Once you’ve developed your experience, you can continue your progression through Level 3 Nail Services and further specialist training.
Yes. An apprenticeship gives you practical experience and a recognised qualification that can support a range of career paths.
Once you’ve gained sufficient experience, some beauty professionals choose to become self-employed, work from home, rent a space in a salon or develop their own beauty business.
Yes. Depending on your qualification and experience, you may be able to progress to a Level 3 apprenticeship and specialise in an area such as massage or advanced nail services.
You’ll receive ongoing support from an experienced trainer coach throughout your apprenticeship.
Your trainer coach will help you develop your practical skills, complete assessments and make progress towards your qualification. You’ll also have access to online learning resources to support your studies.
Yes. If you’re a salon or beauty business looking to recruit an apprentice, ISA Training can help you understand the process and the support available.
You can also use an apprenticeship to develop someone who already works for you.
Whether you’re interested in becoming a beauty therapist, developing your career as a nail technician or looking to invest in your salon team, ISA Training can help you find the right apprenticeship route.
I am a learner
Explore our beauty and nail apprenticeship opportunities and start building your career.
I am an employer
Talk to our team about recruiting an apprentice or developing your existing staff through a fully funded apprenticeship.
I am a parent
We can support your child to achieve an accredited qualification. Explore our apprenticeship vacancies.