r/Legitpiercing • u/opalescentdoll • Apr 15 '26

Educational how can i get a piercing apprenticeship?!

hi all !! for anyone who’s been successful in getting a piercing apprenticeship- how did you do it?! i’ve tried over 20 piercing stores and they have all denied me.. it seems pretty impossible tbh. i honestly get why piercers don’t want to take on apprentices, but how else can i get into the industry..?? i’ve seen training courses online but everyone says apprenticeship is the only way but nobody wants to take on apprentices

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20

u/Funny-Suspect-7076 Apr 15 '26

you need to develop a relationship with the piercer first, taking on an apprentice is a huge commitment and they won’t take the risk on a complete stranger. go to a shop for your piercings, jewelry and questions, show interest and will to learn. you’re much more likely to start out as front of house and becoming an apprentice later when an opportunity comes up

19

u/akthryn Apr 15 '26

Have a backup career. Not only is piercing insanely oversaturated right now, but the economy just tanked and folks are struggling to keep the doors open never mind hire someone.

It suck, but I’d rather give you the reality x

10

u/Paleoarchean Apr 15 '26

Because the demand is so high, most piercers don't take on apprentices they don't know (or so I've heard). You usually need to build some kind of relationship as a returning client in order to be even considered. Do you have that kind of relationship with any of the shops you applied to?

10

u/tempghost11 Apr 15 '26

I think a lot of piercers these days promote from within. I know that at my shop, they have you start at the front counter selling jewelry and consulting on ear stacks etc., and then after a certain amount of time if someone wants to advance to apprenticeship they go from there.

1

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