Entry requirements
Individual employers may set any entry requirements but these may typically include:
- Be aged 16+ at the time of enrolment
- Be a UK or European Economic Area (EEA), or have lived in the UK or EEA for the past three consecutive years
- Not already be in full-time education at the point of enrolment
- Not already hold a qualification at the same level or above in the same area that you wish to study
- Apprentices without level 2 Functional Skills in English and maths or an equivalent certificate will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end point assessment.
What apprentices will learn?
There are two distinctly different job roles within this 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. 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.
Professional body alignment and registration statement
Achievement of the standard makes you eligible for State Registration with the Hair Council
The Hair Professionalapprenticeship requires development of the following professional behaviours, skills and knowledge:
Part 1 – Mandatory core skills and knowledge for hairdressing and barbering
| Section | 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 |
| Cutting hair using barbering techniques to create a variety of looks | Use a range of cutting techniques including club cutting, scissor over comb, clipper over comb, outlining, freehand, layering, graduating, texturising, and razor cutting. Create a range of looks and neckline shapes to include flat top, and uniform layer neckline shapes: square, tapered, skin fade, and full neck line | 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, balance and the degree of graduation |
| Style and finish men’s hair | Use styling tools and equipment, blow dry, and finger dry | Current techniques for drying and finishing hair, drying and finishing products, tools and equipment available for drying and finishing men’s hair |
| Cut facial hair into shape | Design and create full beard, partial beard and moustache, identify factors likely to influence the service, establish and follow the cutting guideline(s) to achieve the required effect, ensure the finished look is even, symmetrical and balanced in relation to the client’s facial contours | How to create and follow a guideline for tapered beard lines, beard outlines and moustaches, how to cut different facial hair shapes using cutting techniques, beard and moustache shapes that do not require the use of razors, and create outline and detailing design in hair |
| Shaving services | Prepare the hair and skin for shaving, products, tools and equipment, full shave and partial shave including hot towels, lathering products, face massage, and finishing products | The types of blades available, lathering products, the structure and function of the skin, the scalp and facial skin disorders commonly affecting men, lathering and the function it performs on the skin, in-growing hairs, and the effect of heat on the hair and skin. The use of Personal Protective Equipment. |
| Route 2 – Barbering 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 shampoo, tonics and conditioning products | How shampoos, tonics and conditioning products affect the hair and scalp, and the various effects of conditioning treatments |
Download End-Point Assessment plan
Duration
Typically, this apprenticeship will take 24 months
Qualifications
Outcomes of this standard include:
- VTCT Level 2 Diploma for Hair Professionals (Barbering) – HB2D3 or VTCT Level 2 Diploma for Hair Professionals (Hairdressing) – HB2D4
- Apprentices without Level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end point assessment.
Progression
On successful completion of this qualification a learner can go onto other higher qualifications or work as a Hairdresser/Barber in the industry.
Level
2