Hairdressing
Hairdressing is a creative, fashionable and exciting industry. You will meet new people everyday and will require energy and enthusiasm. Hairdressing is an extremely fast paced industry and you will need to be able to work within a team
Apprenticeship in Hairdressing
A hairdressing Apprenticeship covers all the basic skills that you need to become a professional hairdresser. A key element of the Apprenticeship is the employment and or support of an employer.
Who is it suitable for?
An apprenticeship in hairdressing is suitable for someone who is confident, creative and enjoys meeting new people. Having a keen interest in fashion is key as hairstyles follow the latest trends. It is also important that you are well presented and take pride in your appearance.
Hairdressers spend a lot of time on their feet so you will need lots of stamina and be able to stand for long periods of time. Your working hours will vary and almost always include some weekend work and late nights so you will need to be flexible and comfortable in an ever changing environment.
What types of opportunities are there?
A career in hairdressing can provide opportunities in theatre, tv and film, it can include working with platform artists, photographers, models and actors. You may wish to travel and work on cruise ships or in hotels across the world.
You may want to consider sales, technical support or marketing, perhaps through a hairdressing product manufacturer.
Styling takes place in small local independent salons, large national and international chains, franchise salons, hospitals and care homes and also freelance or mobile businesses.
What can I earn?
An employed apprentice must receive a minimum of £95 per week. Once employed average salaries will be around £16,000 per annum, but the sky's the limit.
If you don't become employed straight away you may be entitled to Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) we can help you apply for this.
How will I learn?
Every Apprentice has an individually agree learning programme that takes account of your preferred learning style (do you like projects or working electronically, are you a practical, visual learner etc) and to meet the needs of your employer.
Each apprentice has a named tutor who will meet with you to deliver knowledge and practical skill development, this may be in one of our centres in a small group, at your place of work in a small groups or one to one in a suitable environment.
You will also be provided with the means to access learning on line which will enable you to study, revise and progress at your own pace.
Some apprentices require extra, specialist support for maths, ICT or communication and we provide additional tutors to help with this in a way that meets your needs.
All apprentices must have at least 6 hours a week to work towards their qualifications; this may take place at one of our training centres or at the employer's premises.
We do not work with employers who are not fully committed to supporting your learning and development.
How long does the Apprenticeship programme last?
This is agreed with you and recorded on your Individual Learning Plan (ILP) which is developed with you after carrying out some initial assessment.
It is generally expected that an apprenticeship will take 18 months to 2 years and the Advanced level a further year, however many Apprentices complete in much less time and depends often upon the amount of practise and experience you receive from your employer.
What is the difference between Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprentice?
Most learners enter as a 16 or 17 year old and begin as an Apprentice, this means they are a salon junior and develop a broad range of hairdressing skills to achieve a competent level of performance, a bit like learning to drive, as you gain skills you practise and become more confident.
As an apprentice you will be targeted to achieve:
• NVQ Level 2
• Functional skills in Communication level 1
• Functional skills in Maths level 1
• Functional skills in ICT level 1
• Knowledge of Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR)
• Acknowledged for Personal Learning and Thinking skills
About 40% of learners who achieve apprenticeship standard go on to the advanced level and are targeted to achieve:
• NVQ Level 3
• Functional skills in Communication level 2
• Functional skills in Maths level 2
• Functional skills in ICT level 2
• Knowledge of Employment Rights and Responsibilities (ERR)
• Acknowledged for Personal Learning and Thinking skills
At this level your skills have developed to enable you to be creative and design styles and to demonstrate supervisory skills and financial awareness. You can choose optional units to develop specialist areas such as colour correction or long hair work.
What happens after completion?
Continued employment
You are likely to remain in employment with the employer who supported your training.
Secure employment elsewhere
You may feel you want to be employed in another salon or type of salon, your qualifications as an apprentice will put you in a good position to do this.
Further training
Your apprenticeship can lead to further training such a university or specialist area such as trichology.