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Nail technician

Nail technicians offer customers treatments like nail art, filing, polishing and extensions.

Average annual salary

£15,500 to £22,000

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Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

Entry requirements:

College

You could begin by taking a college course, for example:

  • nail technology
  • nail treatments
  • nail art

Some colleges will offer nail services as part of a beauty therapy course.

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

You could take a Nail Services Technician Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship.

This typically takes 1 year to complete and is a mix of workplace learning and day-release for study.

Entry requirements:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship

Work

If you can show a real interest in nail art and have some skills in it, you may be able to get a job as a trainee with a nail salon or beauty spa and learn on the job.

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Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to carry out basic tasks on a computer or hand-held device

Skills:
  • customer service skills
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • active listening skills
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be flexible and open to change
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • the ability to sell products and services
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • concentration skills
  • the ability to work on your own
  • knowledge of English language
  • the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
  • the ability to understand people’s reactions
  • a desire to help people
  • maths knowledge
  • thinking and reasoning skills
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • the ability to learn through your work
  • knowledge of human resources and employment law
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What you'll do:

Nail technicians offer customers treatments like nail art, filing, polishing and extensions.

As a nail technician, you may:

  • offer manicure and pedicure treatments
  • clean, polish and file nails
  • apply or repair false nails, tips and enhancements
  • decorate nails with coloured varnish, transfers, gems or glitter
  • advise customers on nail care and products
  • store chemicals correctly and follow strict hygiene rules

Location : You could work in a salon, at a health spa, on a cruise ship, from home or at a client's home.

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Salary:

Starter : £15,500
Experienced : £22,000

These figures are a guide

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Working hours:

35 - 39 hours variable

Working Pattern is evenings / weekends flexibly

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Career Path:

With experience, you could manage a salon or start your own business.

You could work with photographers, fashion designers or TV companies, preparing nails for photo shoots or fashion shows.

You may want to take further training to learn other beauty techniques or to teach nail art.

You might also move into product sales, selling nail equipment and materials to salons and nail bars.

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