5 Simple Steps to a Successful Salon and Hairdressing Training Program

Small business owners in the beauty industry look high and low for team members with specialized training, which ensures they will consistently deliver an exceptional customer experience. And in an ideal world, new hires will be so experienced and talented that they'll barely need any onboarding time and can get started quickly.

But your salon is so much more than a place where stylists just do their jobs and make a living. It's your business, and to help that business thrive, you need team members who will build a great salon team, consistently provide great customer service, and boost your local reputation. And that requires thorough, intentional salon training.

Don't hesitate to invest time and effort in the training and professional development of your salon employees, as this is part of a longer-term strategy for business success. So instead of jumping in on your new team member's first day, put in place a detailed training program so that your staff members are well-equipped to contribute meaningfully to your business and exceed your expectations.

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The Benefits of Salon Employee Training

According to the Mercer North America Revenue Survey, the average turnover rate in the United States is 22% and the cost of hiring new employees can be up to $1,300 each . But creating an effective training program for salon employees can help reduce turnover and associated costs, as well as grow your business and increase your customer base.

Indeed, salon employee training programs can:

Hone and sharpen the skills of your employees so they can do their job better Communicate your expectations Make your team members feel appreciated and valued Strengthen the interpersonal relationships of your employees Improve your company's reputation for high quality service Keep your salon up to date with the latest trends, products and technologies How to Host Salon Training and Education in 5 Simple Steps

Whether you're hiring a makeup artist, colorist, or skincare professional, one thing is certain: training salon employees isn't easy. New hires may come to your salon with a lot of background knowledge, but they won't necessarily have all the experience and know-how they need to be a confident member of your team.

First, consider sending your new hires a training package to review before their start date so they know what to expect. Homebase Hiring and Onboarding can help you do this by providing training materials to employees along with their onboarding documents.

And if you need guidance on setting up your training program, consider these five simple steps to establishing and implementing a successful salon training program.

1. Determine and explain your training levels and goals

Experts at the Aveda Institute recommend training new salon hires as salon assistants for three to four months before they begin formal stylist training. And while when you start formal training depends on your preferences as a business owner, starting with the basics is always the best idea.

So when recruiting your new interns, tell them about the different levels of salon training you offer. And if they're fresh out of a cosmetology program, it might be helpful to explain in detail what they'll learn throughout the various stages of your training.

For example, when developing your hairdresser training program, you can set the following objectives:

Level 1 | Living room basics

Your new employee will learn all about how you schedule appointments and interact with guests. You can also teach them inventory management...