Professional Beauty asked salon owners around Australia what they’d look for in an emerging beauty therapist if hiring and where education institutions can help bridge the student-employee gap.
Robyn McAlpine, Founder & Owner at SkintifiX (NSW)
“When employing therapists emerging into the beauty industry, my focus is on hiring those with a willingness to learn. This is far more important than skills and credentials on a piece of paper. I’m aware that during their training, new beauty therapists haven’t always had the opportunity to master their craft via the repetition and practice that helps them fine tune their skills. It’s also no secret that theory knowledge taught from a textbook in a classroom environment doesn’t always translate to real salon life. Learning about a skin condition in theory is very different to working with the living breathing human being on the facial bed.
I would love to see training institutions better prepare students with realistic expectations of their skillset, preparing them to join a salon in a starting role, encouraging them to continue learning post-graduation as every great therapist knows that a spirit of learning is the key to industry growth and success.”
Isobella Outtram, Founder at Sukha Skin and Wellness (QLD)
“As an employer, I look for therapists who are not only skilled but deeply teachable, with a desire to support clients beyond the aesthetic. At Sukha, we believe that beauty therapy is not just about skin – it’s about holding space for women to breathe, feel, and reconnect with themselves. Emotional intelligence, intuition, and the ability to adapt to a client’s energy are just as important as technical skill.
I would love to see modern education institutions integrate more holistic and wellness-based training into their curricula, encouraging future therapists to understand the nervous system, emotional regulation, and the power of presence. Even offering wellness electives would create more well-rounded graduates equipped for the evolving needs of today’s clients. Our industry is changing, and our education should evolve with it.”
Gabrielle Ingle, Founder & Director at Blanc Spa (VIC)
“Spa work is intimate. Clients arrive not just for a treatment, but for how they want to feel – safe, seen and supported. At Blanc Spa, we look for therapists who can hold space with calm, empathy and professionalism. Emotional intelligence and self-awareness matter as much as technical aptitude. Client experience is everything. Therapists who approach their work with curiosity, intention and commitment to growth create trust-based relationships that evolve over time. Adopting a long-term lens not only leads to better business outcomes – it cultivates confidence, purpose and a more fulfilling career.
Blanc Spa values therapists who understand their ‘why’ – why they chose this path, and why presence matters. Education providers could support this by embedding reflective practice, client psychology and real-world experience into the curriculum. Technique lays the foundation, but it’s how a therapist shows up that builds lasting trust. That’s what clients remember, and what truly elevates a therapist.”
Samantha Tink, Owner at Natural Soul Beauty (SA)
“I have been employing staff for over ten years and during this time I have learnt about myself as a boss and in finding the ones who suit my business. I’m still learning and I think I always will when it comes to employing staff. I’ve had staff who are being trained while they are working for me, qualified and not experienced, and some with plenty of years of experience. Some have held a Certificate II, through to a Diploma from a TAFE or a college. It doesn’t matter what kind of certificate they have, as I still need to work with them. I have had the incorrect assumption that because they are Diploma-qualified, they may not need that one-on-one help, but they do.
I think modern education is still missing out on the ‘fussy’ tips, and being able to really watch students. It can be as easy as in how they are holding the nail clippers, or in how they are pulling a wax strip.”
Georgie Westley, Co-Founder The Agency of Skin and Ink (VIC)
“When I’m hiring, I am looking at personality, presentation and vocabulary. I think speech is extremely important – clear and articulate to me, is important. I also look not only at qualifications, but also experience. If there is someone that can prove their knowledge and skills from in-salon training, yet only hold a Certificate III or short course credentials, I will often hire them if I see potential over someone who has done a Diploma, but doesn’t seem to have much drive or ambition. I’m always open to getting my team educated to fill any gaps in training and upskill them. This may be controversial, but I see that the proof is in the hands, not necessarily the paper.
I certainly think modern education can, at times, lack current and skilled trainers. Many trainers may have to do ‘pd’s’ to stay ‘current’, however a course every few months doesn’t amount to hands-on clients. Trainers who work on the tools a couple days a week are always better educators, I believe. An experience is what you make it. It’s not usually the institution that needs to change – it’s the person doing the course who [comes in with a] closed mind or with unrealistic expectations. The majority of skill comes from in-salon training and ongoing hands-on client work. Perhaps training facilities look at holding support workshops in units of self-love, positivity and motivation?”
Melissa Young, Founder at Melissa Young Beauty (NSW)
“I prioritise candidates who hold a minimum of a Diploma in Beauty Therapy, reflecting the specialised services offered at my salon. This educational foundation is essential for ensuring that therapists possess a comprehensive understanding of the industry. I particularly value beauty colleges that provide students with practical experience through their student clinics. This hands-on training is invaluable, as it allows new therapists to transition smoothly into their first professional roles with a solid base of practical experience.
To further support skill development, my salon offers extensive training for all staff members. This includes mandatory training sessions several times a year, along with a full day of in-house training every 6-8 weeks as a refresher. When hiring, I focus on ensuring that candidates align with our core values and possess a personality that complements our team, as I believe skills can always be developed further. Modern educational institutions could enhance their programs by increasing opportunities for practical, real-world experience, better preparing graduates for the demands of the workplace.”
Amy Jean, Founder & Creative Director at Amy Jean Brows (Australia wide)
“When expanding my team and hiring emerging artists, I place high value on those who show a genuine eagerness to learn and grow; attitude is everything. While training the foundations is essential, it’s often one-on-one education that shapes an artist’s potential. We find the most success when training is structured for the individual, building on their natural strengths and previous experience, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach.
Education institutions can prepare students by focusing more on real-world case studies, one-on-one training, and nurturing confidence in communication and technique. Beauty is such a personal industry and we operate in close proximity to the client – empathy, precision and adaptability is hard to teach in a crowded classroom. Personalised mentorship makes all the difference in preparing emerging artists for the workplace and optimum client experience.”
Bee Czarnota, Founder at The BEETOX Method™ (VIC)
“My business growth has genuinely been capped by this very issue. When hiring, I look for candidates with certification in beauty or dermal therapy, but more importantly, a genuine passion for biology and wellness. To truly understand the intricacies of the lymphatic system and how we complement more typical beauty treatments, therapists need a deeper awareness of the body, not just the skin.
Right now, no formal beauty or dermal training covers the breadth of knowledge required to create real impact in the lymphatic space. That gap led me to create The Lymphatic Wellness Academy – a professional training space that equips therapists to work holistically and with confidence. Modern education could better support graduates by expanding beyond textbook beauty to include functional anatomy, wellness principles, and hands-on experience that mirrors real client needs. The future of beauty lies in integration, and education is where it begins.”
Images: Supplied
This article originally appeared in the Issue 02 2025 print issue of Professional Beauty magazine. Read it here.
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