The hair and beauty sector is dealing with a "skills crisis" due to people leaving their salon jobs following the Covid-19 pandemic to enter different industries or to work on the black market.

Margaret O'Rourke Doherty, chief of the Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation (HABIC) Ireland, said that the current skills gap is the worst the industry has seen.

"The skills shortage predates the onset of Covid-19, however the pandemic has exacerbated a skills crisis far beyond levels previously seen," she said.

"Due to the pandemic, many employees retrained and moved sectors, branched out on their own, or are taking time out of the work place to raise a family and unfortunately some have opted to work in the shadow economy. A combination of various factors has left a significant skills gap and job opportunities nationally."

She said that investing in apprenticeships assures that the skillsets of future workers are being improved on.

In Association with

Further and Higher Education Minister Simon Harris launched a new hairdressing apprenticeship facility at Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education in Kilbarrack, Dublin, yesterday, where he appealed to salon owners to consider taking on apprentices.

"There is a skills shortage in hairdressing and many salons are struggling to find suitably qualified hairdressers to sustain and grow their business," he said.

"I would take this opportunity to ask hairdressers, rebuilding after a difficult year, to consider taking on an apprentice.

"To any man or woman considering hairdressing as a career, consider availing of a national apprenticeship programme that allows you to earn while you learn."

Ms O'Rourke Doherty also encouraged any Leaving Cert students who started their exams yesterday to consider pursuing an apprenticeship.

It comes at a time when rising inflation is also having an impact on the industry.

Greg Clarke, owner of Amica Eco Hairdressing in Dublin 15 said he has been forced to increase his prices due to rising overheads.

"We've already had an increase across all our product ranges across the board in January. My gas and electricity has all gone up," he said.

"Our main supplier has informed us that we're getting an average of between 4% and 10% of an increase across the board starting from July - shampoo, conditioner, colour. Colour being the biggest outgoing as a product. We've already had one increase, now we're getting a second."