Apprenticeship Overview
The Level 2 Beauty & Make‑Up Consultant Apprenticeship prepares apprentices to work confidently in fast‑paced retail environments such as department stores, beauty counters, pharmacies and specialist cosmetic retailers. Apprentices learn how to demonstrate, promote and recommend a wide range of beauty products including make‑up, skincare, nail care and perfumery, while delivering exceptional customer service and supporting brand sales targets.
This 12‑month programme combines paid employment with structured practical training delivered by Achievement Training’s specialist Beauty Retail team. Apprentices develop the product knowledge, sales techniques and professional behaviours needed to represent your brand and contribute positively to your commercial goals.
Occupational profile
A Beauty & Make‑Up Consultant typically works in a retail environment and uses their product knowledge to demonstrate, promote and recommend beauty products in line with brand guidelines, legal requirements and organisational protocols. They work independently and as part of a team, supported by a department or counter manager, to deliver exceptional customer service while achieving sales and profit targets.
Consultants are trained to demonstrate professionalism, strong work ethic, curiosity and commitment to continual professional development.
What a Beauty & Make‑Up Consultant Is Trained to Deliver
Apprentices learn how to provide exceptional customer service while confidently promoting and selling beauty products in line with brand guidelines and organisational protocols. They develop the skills to act as a professional brand ambassador, presenting the right retail image and etiquette at all times.
Throughout the apprenticeship, consultants build strong product knowledge, including:
- Eyelash and eyebrow products
- Facial skincare products
- Nail care products
- Perfumery recommendations
They are trained to identify customer requirements, select suitable products and tools, and apply a range of demonstration techniques to promote and sell beauty retail items. Consultants learn how to instruct customers on correct skincare routines and make‑up application, ensuring advice is accurate, safe and aligned with brand standards.
Professional behaviours are a key part of the programme. Apprentices learn to maintain confidentiality, uphold customer rights, and follow safe working practices in line with legal and organisational requirements. By the end of the apprenticeship, they are confident, knowledgeable retail professionals who can deliver high‑quality service in a fast‑paced beauty environment.
Why Employers Choose Achievement Training
Achievement Training works closely with retail employers to develop consultants who are:
- Confident brand ambassadors who meet beauty retail image and etiquette standards.
- Skilled in delivering personalised product demonstrations and recommendations.
- Able to support sales targets through informed advice, promotions and customer engagement.
- Trained to work safely, professionally and in line with legal and organisational requirements.
- Supported through regular assessor visits, progress reviews and structured off‑the‑job learning.
Programme Structure
Duration
12 months (excluding End‑Point Assessment period).
Delivery Model
Training is delivered primarily in the workplace, supported by:
- Regular assessor visits
- Professional discussions
- Practical observations
- At least 6 hours per week of off‑the‑job training
Apprentices complete the full Level 2 Beauty & Make‑Up Consultant standard before progressing to EPA.
End‑Point Assessment (EPA)
The EPA includes two assessment methods:
- Multiple‑choice test
- Observation of practice
Each component is graded Fail, Pass or Distinction, ensuring apprentices meet national occupational standards.
Candidates for this course should be working in a related sector.
All applications will be reviewed on an individual basis. If you have experience or previous knowledge that will support your application please remember to include it.
Individuals without level 1 English and maths, aged 16-18, will be required to complete the Level 2 functional skills qualifications prior to taking the end-point assessment.
Under new rules, apprentices aged 19 and over will no longer be required to achieve a Level 2 functional skills qualification in English and Maths to complete their apprenticeship. Although, the decision will be at the employers discretion, and apprentices are encouraged to discuss these requirements with their employer or training provider.
As an employer that doesn’t pay the apprenticeship levy, you pay just 5% towards the cost of training and assessing an apprentice.
The government will pay the rest up to the funding band maximum.
You’ll pay the training provider directly and agree on a payment schedule.
If you employ fewer than 50 employees, the government will pay 100% of the apprenticeship training costs up to the funding band maximum for apprentices aged:
- 16 to 21
- 19 to 24 with an education, health and care plan provided by their local authority or has been in the care of their local authority
Paying employer National Insurance contributions
Employers may not need to pay Class 1 National Insurance contributions for an apprentice, if the apprentice is:
- under 25 years old
- on an approved UK government apprenticeship standard or framework (these can differ depending on country)
- earns less than £967 a week (£50,270 a year)
The apprentice, as an employee, will continue to pay Class 1 insurance contributions through their salary, this will only benefit the employer.
Read HMRC’s guidance on paying National Insurance contributions.
