NVQs/SVQs in Hairdressing
Thorough training is essential for today's competitive market and NVQs/SVQs are qualifications about work, based upon standards developed by hairdressers for hairdressers.
For new entrants to hairdressing, having an NVQ/SVQ shows employers that you can do the job to the high standard that industry requires.
If you are an experienced hairdresser, gaining an NVQ/SVQ is the best way to update your skills and have them recognised.
Over 60% of salon staff are qualified to NVQ/SVQ standards.
Back to TopLevel 1
Level 1 is an introduction to the hairdressing industry. It is suitable for:
School pupil work experience
Junior staff induction
>By working towards Level 1 standards you are covering the basic skills needed in every salon by all hairdressers. While you are learning you will be under the supervision of more experienced staff in the salon. After 6 months to a year you will have a good insight into the world of hairdressing and could be starting your Level 2.
Back to TopLevel 2
Level 2 is aimed at Stylists and Barbers and covers the basic skills and knowledge required to become a competent hairdresser. Level 2 is the minimum requirement for being a State Registered Hairdresser. These include:
Blow-drying
Cutting
Colouring
Perming
African Caribbean Services
Health & Safety
Barbering
Reception
Back to TopLevel 3
Level 3 is the key outcome for the Modern Apprenticeship. It is a high level qualification expanding on technical hairdressing skills, roles and responsibilities within the salon. It is aimed at Technicians, Barbers and Senior Stylists and covers:
Fashion cutting
Perming
Training
Cutting
African Caribbean Services
Supervisory Skills
Improving systems
Colouring
Back to TopLevel 4
Level 4 is aimed at Salon Managers. It is based on nationally recognised standards developed by the Management & Enterprise National Training Organisation. It includes business planning, marketing, personnel and financial planning for salons and salon groups of all sizes.
Back to TopKey Skills(Core skills in Scotland)
Key skills are seen by employers as essential to making someone employable. It enables them to make an effective contribution to the business through being able to apply knowledge and technical skills. Key Skills are what make people employable. They are an integral part of Modern Apprenticeships and National Traineeships.
Back to TopAdditional Skill Components
Additional Skill Components are an integral part of the Modern Apprenticeship and National Traineeship. They provide further flexibility for employers and trainees to design a training programme which will suite their needs, eg:
Customer service
Beauty Therapy
Foreign Language
Customer Care
Retailing
Competition Work
Photography
Wigmaking/Postiche
Extra Hairdressing units (following HTB guidance)
Manufacturer courses
Health & Safety
Back to TopTraining in England and Wales
All young people are issued with a National Learning Credit in their final year at school. They can use this to purchase training through four different options if they choose to leave school:
Careerships
National Traineeships
Modern Apprenticeships
Full time course at college
Back to TopCareerships
The main outcome will be NVQ Level 2 for the majority of young people. For those with special needs NVQ Level 1 may be supported by individual TECs.
You can progress on to National Traineeships or Modern Apprenticeships.
KEY FEATURES:
Level 1-2 in Hairdressing
No Key Skills (not formally covered)
Employed Status not mandatory
Back to TopNational Traineeships
National Traineeships offer young people the chance to get the qualifications and experience needed for a successful career. Each National Trainee will receive a wage or allowance. The National Traineeship provides a structured training programme applicable across the country.
CONTACT:
The Training and Enterprise Council.
KEY FEATURES:
Designed by employers to ensure young people have the skills employers need
Funding assistance available through TECs
No fixed timespan, approximately 2.5 years
Target qualification is NVQ 2
Nationally agreed framework
THREE MAIN OUTCOMES:
1. Level 2 NVQ in Hairdressing
2. Key skills in Application of Number, Communication and Information Technology.
3. An Additional Skill Component.
Back to TopModern Apprenticeships
The Modern Apprenticeship combines the best of Traditional Apprenticeships with the best aspects of Modern Training Systems. Modern Apprentices wil become tomorrow's technicians, supervisors, salon managers and high-flying stylists.
CONTACT:
Training and Enterprise Council.
KEY FEATURES:
Target qualification is NVQ Level 3
No fixed time span but likely to last 3.5 years
Nationally agreed and set framework
Funding assistance is available through TECs
THREE MAIN OUTCOMES:
1. Level 2 & 3 NVQ/SVQ in Hairdressing
2. Key skills in Communication, Application of Number, Problem Solving, Working with Others, Improving Own Learning and Information Technology.
3. An Additional Skill Component.
Back to TopScotland Skillseekers
Prior to leaving school young people are informed about Skillseekers, which is a mechanism used to release funding for job training. Every Skillseeker will work towards an industry recognised Vocational Qualification. Skillseekers is available to all school leavers aged 16 and 17 years old. It is also available to 18 year olds who are leaving school or college to enter the job market for the first time.
Modern Apprenticeships within Skillseekers
Developed by HTB Scotland, the Modern Apprenticeship in Hairdressing is a new option within Skillseekers which leads to SVQ/NVQ Level 3. With the Skillseekers Modern Apprenticeship you can train for a career, study for a qualification and get paid all at the same time.
CONTACT:
Your Local Enterprise Company (LEC).
SKILLSEEKERS OUTCOMES:
Level 2 SVQ/NVQ in Hairdressing
No Core Skills
Usually Employed Status
MODERN APPRENTICESHIP OUTCOMES:
Level 2 and 3 SVQ/NVQ in Hairdressing
Core Skills: Information Technology, Communication, Use of Number, Personal Skills, Problem Solving
One or more Additional Skill Components
Back to TopNorthern Ireland (Jobskills and Modern Apprenticeships)
The Modern Apprenticeship within Jobskills covers all aspects of hairdressing needed to succeed in the industry. Successful Modern Apprentices will become the high flyers and top stylists of the future. The Jobskills Modern Apprenticeship in Hairdressing is primarily aimed at 16-17 year old school and college leavers.
CONTACT:
Your local Training and Employment Agency office.
JOBSKILLS OUTCOMES:
Level 2 NVQ in Hairdressing
MODERN APPRENTICESHIP OUTCOMES:
Level 2 and 3 NVQ in Hairdressing
Key Skills: Communication, Numeracy, Personal Skills, Problem Solving
One or more Additional Skill Components
Back to TopTraditional Apprenticeships
Some employers still offer traditional apprenticeships and provide their own training. You need to make sure that this includes assessment at a minimum of NVQ/SVQ Level 2 through an approved assessment centre.
Back to TopFulltime Courses
Full time hairdressing courses are available through colleges of further education and some private training providers. Find out whether the tuition fees are paid for you and how much work experience you will get in a salon. If you have to pay the fees yourself ask about tax relief and if Career Development Loans are available. Check if the course leads to a full NVQ or SVQ (an HNC is also available in Scotland). For shorter specialist courses unit credits may be given for certains parts of an NVQ/SVQ.
Back to TopNew Deal
The New Deal aims to help young people aged 18+ who have been unemployed for 6 months or more and receiving Jobseekers Allowance, to find work and to improve their prospects of remaining in sustained employment.
In addition, certain groups of your people will be able to choose the New Deal before reaching six months of unemployment. Such groups will include people with disabilities, ex offenders and lone parents.
New Deal will provide a range of help including a gateway process which includes assistance with job search, careers advice and preparation for the range of New Deal options.
CONTACT:
The Employment Service.
Further InformationCAREERS IN HAIDRESSING CD ROM
Available in all Careers Offices, Public Libraries and Secondary Schools.
