Hair Professional Apprenticeship

There are two distinctly different job roles within the hair professional or hairdressing occupational profile: Hairdresser and Barber. Hairdressers will be able to shampoo and condition hair, cut hair using a range of techniques, style and finish hair to create variety of looks, and colour and lighten hair for ladies and men. Barbers will be able to shampoo and condition hair, cut hair using barbering techniques, style and finish hair, cut facial hair into shape and provide shaving services for men.

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  • Entry Requirements

    • 16 years or over.
    • Please contact our Apprenticeship team for further entry requirements.
  • Typical Job Titles

    Barber/ Hairdresser, Junior Stylist, Assistant, Shampooist, Clolourist, Apprentice etc.

  • Duration

    Typically 24 months

  • Level

    2

  • Delivery

    A minimum of 30 hours of on the job training at work place per week including a day/ block release to study theory at our Uxbridge/Hayes/ Harrow campus.

  • Employers Involved in Creating this Standard

    Richard Ward Hair and Metrospa, Urban Retreat, Regis UK, SAKS, Toni & Guy, Philosophy Hairdressing, UR Beautiful Ltd, Fusion Hair & Beauty, Rogers of Chell Barber Shops, Phaze 1 Hair and Nail and Beauty Lounge Ltd, That Nail Place, Armonia, RG Hairdressing, Alan D Hairdressing, Andrew Collinge, Lady PJ Hairdressing, Rubies Hairdressing and The Master Barber Shop.

Key Responsibilities

In Hair Professional Apprenticeship, Hairdressers and barbers must be able to work with all hair types ranging from straight hair to very curly, wiry hair. They also need to be able to carry out consultations with clients, demonstrate the professionalism, values, behaviours, communication skills and safe working practices associated with their role and be able to work without supervision to a high level of precision, with exceptional client care skills.

English and Maths

Apprentices without level 1 English and maths will need to achieve this level and take the test for level 1 English and maths prior to taking the end-point assessment.

Professional Body Alignment and Registration Statement

Achievement of the standard makes an apprentice eligible for State Registration with the Hair Council.

Course Outline

During the apprenticeship programme, an apprentice will require to spend minimum 30 hours of on-the-job training that includes:

  1. Mandatory core knowledge and skills modules the fundamental knowledge, through a combination of online learning and practical classroom workshops and will choose the occupational option route for hairdressing or barbering
  2. Level 2 English & Maths
  3. A work-based portfolio to demonstrate the skills you have learnt at work related projects and
  4. An end-point assessment.

Mandatory core knowledge and skills modules included in this programme are:

All apprentices will complete the core skills and knowledge (Part 1) and will choose the occupational option route for hairdressing or barbering (Part 2) – Mandatory core skills and knowledge for hairdressing and barbering:

Part 1 - Core Skills and Knowledge

The apprentice will be able to: The apprentice will know and understand:
Professionalism and values Demonstrate professionalism and a passion for the industry; have a commitment to quality, a positive attitude and team working; work under pressure; observe time management and self-management; show a willingness to learn; complete services in a commercially viable time and to a high standard; meet organisational and industry standards of appearance; observe professional ethics Industry codes of practice and ethics; quality assurance systems; time management principles; self-management principles; commercially viable times for the completion of services; industry and organisational standards of appearance; the importance of continuing professional development, equality and diversity.
Behaviours and communication Greet clients in a friendly manner; choose the most appropriate way of communicating with clients; be helpful and courteous at all times; adapt behaviour in response to each client; respond promptly to clients seeking assistance; establish client expectations and needs; explain clearly any reasons why the client’s needs or expectations cannot be met; willingly undertake wider salon duties, including reception duties where appropriate Industry standards of behaviour; how to meet and greet clients; verbal and non-verbal communication techniques; client care principles and practices; how to maintain rapport with clients; the role of the reception area; making appointments; taking payments; who to refer to with different types of enquiries; Sale of Goods and Services Act and the Data Protection Act; how to provide advice and recommendations on the products and services provided in the salon
Safe working practices Maintain effective, hygienic and safe working methods; adhere to workplace, suppliers’ or manufacturers’ instructions for the safe use of equipment, materials and products; meet legal and organisational requirements; maintain the client’s modesty, privacy and comfort; minimise risks of cross-infection, injury or fatigue; promote environmental and sustainable working practices; ensure personal hygiene and protection meets industry, organisational and local authority requirements; and correctly use Personal Protective Equipment. Legal and organisational requirements; use of tools, equipment, materials and products; adherence to workplace cleaning, disinfection, sterilisation, supplier or manufacturer’s instructions; waste disposal; client preparation and protection; direct and indirect cross-infection; methods that promote environmental and sustainable working practices; reducing risk of injury to self and others; posture, personal hygiene, protection; health and safety legislation and practice
Consultation Creatively assess the client’s requirements; examine the hair, skin and scalp; facial characteristics including face shape, skin tone, hair colour, lifestyle and suitability; conduct visual checks and any necessary tests on the hair, skin and scalp; advise clients on services or products; identify the client’s hair characteristics and hair classification; advise clients on hair maintenance and management Visual aids for client consultation; salon procedures and manufacturers' instructions for conducting tests; the types and purposes of tests; how lifestyle factors limit or affect services; incompatibility of previous services and products used; hair, skin and scalp problems; suspected infections or infestations; hair characteristics and classifications; basic structure of hair and skin; the growth cycle of hair; services or products available for use in the salon or for retail; legal responsibilities; salon pricing structures

Part 2 – Mandatory occupational routes for hairdressing or barbering (choose one route)

Route 1 – Hairdressing skills The apprentice will be able to competently : The apprentice will know and understand:
Shampoo, condition and treat the hair and scalp Use products and tools, use massage techniques, use shampoo and conditioning products How shampoos and conditioning products affect the hair and scalp, when and how to use different massage techniques, and the various effects of conditioning treatments
Cut hair using a range of techniques to create a variety of looks Use a range of cutting techniques including one length, fringe cutting, precision cutting techniques, scissor over comb, texturising, layering techniques, graduation and clipper work How and when to use different cutting techniques and relevant tools and the effects achieved, weight distribution and working with the natural growth patterns of the hair, cutting angles and resulting weight distribution, and balance and the degree of graduation
Style and finish hair using a range of techniques to create a variety of looks Use a range of styling tools and equipment to create a look including blow drying, hair-up styles, setting and dressing, finger drying, plaiting/braiding and twisting and using additional hair Current techniques for drying and finishing hair, drying and finishing products, tools and equipment available for drying and finishing men and women’s hair, hair-up styles, setting and dressing, finger drying, plaiting/braiding and twisting, and using additional hair
Colour and lighten hair using a range of techniques Complete a range of woven highlights including T-section, half head. Full head using temporary, semi-permanent, quasi-permanent, permanent colour application, and basic colour change (depth and tone) techniques The principles of colour selection, how the natural pigment within hair affects the choice of colour and colouring products, the effect of different colouring and lightening products on the hair structure, and when to use the different types of lighteners and toners available
Options (choose one)
Perming hair Use a range of products and techniques including sectioning and winding, taking into account critical influencing factors The effects of perms and neutralisers on the hair structure, products and equipment, contra- indications to perming hair and tests required throughout the perming and neutralising processes
Hair relaxing treatments and techniques Use a range of products and techniques including sectioning, winding, relaxing and post relaxing products The effects of relaxers on the hair structure, products and equipment, application and development of relaxers and post relaxing products; contra-indications to relaxing hair and tests required before and throughout the relaxing and post relaxing processes
Hair extension services Attach a range of extensions; cutting and finishing extensions; maintaining and removing extensions Hair growth, influencing factors and contra-indications, types of hair extensions and products, application and removal techniques, principles for blending hair
Route 2– Barbering skills The apprentice will be able to competently : The apprentice will know and understand:
Shampoo, condition and treat Use products and tools, use shampoo, tonics and conditioning How shampoos, tonics and conditioning products affect the hair and scalp, and the various