Government directs jobseekers to careers in "booming" beauty industry

The Government’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has called on jobseekers to consider a career in beauty.

The department said there are currently more than 4,000 beauty-related vacancies live on the Government’s Find a Job portal. 

These include beauty therapist, merchandiser and lecturer roles, as well as other positions to suit different levels of experience.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has previously praised the British industry for being the best of British business and with an annual worth £20 billion to the UK economy, the DWP said the beauty sector is an important part of the Government’s drive to grow the economy. 

The call came as British Beauty Week kicked off, celebrating beauty businesses across the UK. 

Diane Whitbread, one of the DWP’s employer engagement advisors, said: “I encourage jobseekers from all backgrounds to use British Beauty Week to consider a role in beauty as their next move. 

“This booming sector offers a range of exciting roles and skills development along with progression opportunities and a new sense of purpose.

“Our Jobcentre network can provide crucial advice to all jobseekers and my dedicated colleagues, including work coaches, stand ready to help people begin rewarding careers within this dynamic industry.”

Jobcentres are working with employers to fill and promote vacancies, including at Elite Hotels, which owns three hotels in the South of England.  

Jobseekers can also use the DWP’s Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes (SWAPs), which provide opportunities to learn new skills and get working experience in relevant industries. 

Lasting up to six weeks, schemes involve pre-employment training, work experience with an employer in the industry and at the end of the programme, either a job interview or help with the application process. There are several SWAPs linked to beauty with a specific focus on job vacancies in hair, beauty and fitness.

British Beauty Council chief executive Millie Kendal said, “The British beauty industry makes a bigger contribution to the UK’s GDP than the creative, arts, and entertainment sector, and the aerospace manufacturing sector, however many people are unaware of the diverse range of opportunities available in the sector.”