Apprenticeships

Our CEO Story

Our CEO, Ruby Jo Lomax, began her hairdressing apprenticeship in 2007 and firmly believes it was the foundation of her success within the industry.

In 2009, Ruby was awarded Apprentice of the Year across all apprenticeship sectors at Bolton College, a recognition that reflected her ambition, dedication and passion for hairdressing from an early age.

Learning within a busy salon environment gave Ruby invaluable real-world experience, confidence and commercial awareness that simply cannot be replicated in a classroom alone. She believes that watching experienced professionals, working with clients and being immersed in salon life is one of the most effective ways to develop into a successful stylist.

At just 22 years old, Ruby opened her first salon, Escape Hairdressing & Beauty. Thirteen years later, she went on to establish RJL Education HQ, creating opportunities for aspiring professionals to gain industry-recognised qualifications and practical skills.

Now, three years later, Ruby is proud to launch RJL Apprenticeships, bringing her journey full circle and creating opportunities for the next generation to follow the same path that helped shape her own career.

With new government support for apprenticeships being introduced from October 2026, Ruby hopes to see a return to the traditional salon-based learning route that has produced so many successful hairdressers over the years.

"My apprenticeship changed my life. It gave me the skills, confidence and opportunities to build the career I have today. Launching apprenticeships through RJL is a dream come true, and I can't wait to help the next generation achieve their goals."
– Ruby Jo Lomax, CEO & Founder

Get Paid to Learn Hairdressing

Imagine leaving school and starting your dream career straight away.

No student debt. No sitting in classrooms five days a week. No waiting years before you start doing what you love.

With an RJL Apprenticeship, you'll be working in a real salon, learning from experienced stylists, building your confidence with clients and earning your own money from day one.

What Will I Earn?

As an apprentice, you'll be employed by a salon and paid whilst you train.

Based on the current Government Apprenticeship Wage of £8.00 per hour, a 16-hour working week would earn you approximately:

💷 £128 per week
💷 £554 per month
💷 £6,656 per year

Many employers choose to pay more than the minimum rate, especially when apprentices show enthusiasm, commitment and a great attitude.

Why Choose an Apprenticeship?

Let's be honest...

Hairdressing isn't a job you learn from a textbook.

The best stylists learn by watching, practising and being part of a busy salon environment every day.

As an apprentice you'll:

✔ Learn alongside experienced stylists
✔ Work with real clients
✔ Build confidence faster
✔ Earn money whilst training
✔ Gain an industry-recognised qualification
✔ Start building your future career immediately

While your friends are still deciding what they want to do, you'll already be building experience, earning a wage and developing skills that could stay with you for life.

Many salon owners, educators and industry leaders started their careers as apprentices.

In fact, our CEO Ruby Jo Lomax began her apprenticeship at 16 years old, won Apprentice of the Year in 2009 and went on to open her own salon at just 22.

Now she's creating the same opportunity for the next generation.

Are You The Right Fit?

We're looking for young people who are:

✨ Ambitious
✨ Hardworking
✨ Reliable
✨ Professional
✨ Passionate about hairdressing

If you're motivated, love being around people and want a career that allows you to be creative whilst earning money, an apprenticeship could be the perfect route for you.

Your future career could start today.

Salon Owners & Experienced Stylists

Up To £3,000 Available For Eligible Employers

From October 2026, eligible non-levy paying employers may be able to access:

💷 £2,000 SME Apprenticeship Incentive
Available when recruiting a new apprentice aged 16–24 who joins your business from 1 July 2026 onwards and starts their apprenticeship from 1 October 2026.

💷 £1,000 Young Apprentice Incentive
Available to employers recruiting apprentices aged 16–18 (or eligible 19–24-year-olds who meet specific criteria). This existing incentive continues alongside the new £2,000 payment.

That's Up To £3,000 In Government Support

For many salon owners, this means:

✅ Up to £3,000 in incentive payments
✅ 100% funded apprenticeship training for eligible employers and apprentices under 25
✅ No employer National Insurance contributions for many apprentices under 25 (subject to earnings thresholds)
✅ A future stylist trained within your own salon

What Could That Look Like?

A 16-year-old apprentice working 16 hours per week at the current apprentice wage rate would cost approximately:

£128 per week
£554 per month
£6,656 per year

With up to £3,000 available in government incentives, the net cost of recruiting and developing your future stylist becomes significantly more affordable. Meanwhile, your apprentice spends the majority of their time working within your salon and attends RJL Education for just 2 days per month over an 18-month programme.

Why RJL Apprenticeships?

We're not a college trying to teach hairdressing.

We're salon owners, educators and industry professionals who understand exactly what employers need.

Our focus is simple:

Get apprentices client-ready as quickly as possible.

Through our fast-track approach to hairdressing education, we help learners build confidence, technical ability and salon professionalism from day one, allowing them to become a valuable member of your team far sooner than many traditional training routes.

Proudly Supporting Bolton's Future Hairdressers

Training apprentices and partnering with salons within a 5-mile radius of Bolton.

Locations & Accessibility

Supporting Apprentices Across Bolton & Surrounding Areas

RJL Apprenticeships is focused on supporting young people and salon employers within approximately a 5-mile radius of Bolton.

We believe apprenticeships work best when travel is manageable, allowing learners to focus on building their skills, gaining experience and progressing in their careers.

RJL Education HQ – Astley Bridge

488A Blackburn Road
Astley Bridge
Bolton
BL1 8PE

Our dedicated training academy is located in Astley Bridge and is easily accessible by local bus routes and transport links serving Bolton and the surrounding areas.

Escape Hairdressing & Beauty – Bromley Cross

271 Darwen Road
Bromley Cross
Bolton
BL7 9BS

Located just a short walk from Bromley Cross Train Station, our commercial salon provides apprentices with valuable exposure to real salon life and client experience.

Apprentices attend RJL Education for just 2 days per month throughout their 18-month programme, with the remainder of their learning taking place within their salon workplace.

Areas We Currently Serve

We are actively looking to support apprentices and salon employers across Bolton and nearby areas including:

Astley Bridge
Bromley Cross
Bradshaw
Harwood
Egerton
Halliwell
Heaton
Smithills
Sharples
Tonge
Breightmet
Little Lever
Farnworth
Horwich
Westhoughton
Lostock
Blackrod
Kearsley
Darcy Lever
Bury (selected areas)

If you're unsure whether your location falls within our catchment area, simply get in touch and our team will be happy to advise.

Local Training. Real Salons. Real Careers.

Our mission is to create opportunities for ambitious young people within our local community, whilst helping Bolton's salons develop the next generation of hairdressing talent.

Have a Large Salon? Let's Talk.

Hair Salon Owners – Partner With RJL Education

As RJL Apprenticeships continues to grow, we are looking to partner with established hair salons across the UK.

If you own a professional hairdressing salon with 15 or more styling stations and have available space one day per week, we would love to hear from you.

We are exploring opportunities to deliver training in additional locations and are interested in speaking with salon owners who may wish to rent out their salon facilities on a regular basis.

Ideal Partner Salons

We're particularly interested in salons that:

Have 15+ hairdressing stations
Are modern, professional and well-presented
Have training space available one day per week
Are passionate about supporting the future of the hairdressing industry
Are located outside the Bolton area

What Could This Mean For Your Business?

Partnering with RJL Education could provide:

An additional revenue stream from unused salon capacity
Increased footfall and exposure for your business
Opportunities to support the next generation of hairdressers
Potential future apprenticeship and training partnerships
Association with one of the UK's fastest-growing independent hair and beauty training providers

Whether you're based in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Leeds, Newcastle, Bristol, Glasgow, Cardiff or anywhere in between, we'd love to start a conversation.

Register Your Interest

If you have a salon with 15 or more stations and would like to explore becoming a training venue partner, please get in touch with our team.

Email: apprenticeships@rjleducation.uk
Phone: 07700177602

Together, we can create more opportunities for aspiring hairdressers across the UK.

Kit & Uniform Information

Professional Hairdressing Kit

To ensure every apprentice has the tools needed to succeed from day one, all learners are required to purchase a professional Level 2 Hairdressing Kit before starting their apprenticeship.

Our kit has been carefully selected by industry professionals and contains the essential equipment required throughout training and salon employment.

The kit includes:

RJL Apprenticeships College Holdall
Professional Denman College Starter Kit ( inc brushes & combs)
Professional Hair Straighteners
Professional Hair Dryer
16–18 Inch Training Head
Training Head Clamp
Professional Cutting & Thinning Scissors with Wallet
Sectioning Clips
RJL Apprenticeships Tunic

Full Professional Hairdressing Kit & Uniform Package: £350

This one-off investment provides apprentices with the professional tools, equipment and uniform required to complete their training and begin their career within the hairdressing industry.

Uniform Requirements

Apprentices are expected to maintain a professional appearance at all times, both in the salon and whilst attending training with RJL Education.

The RJL Education Tunic must be worn during training sessions alongside:

Black trousers or black leggings
Smart, closed-toe footwear
Hair styled in a professional manner
Minimal jewellery
Good personal presentation and hygiene