The content of these Pathways have been agreed by SkillsActive Habia. These are the only apprenticeship Pathways in the Hair & Beauty sector approved for use in Wales that are eligible for Welsh Government funding.
Learning Programme Content
The Learning Programme provision shall comprise of three mandatory elements:
- Qualifications,
- Essential Skills
- On/off the job training
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 2 Barbering is 71 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Barbering is 84 credits.
Entry requirements
There are no nationally agreed minimum entry requirements or previous experience requirements, but the following selection criteria may be used as guidance.
Because the industry has high client expectations and relies on repeat business, importance is given to:
- Appropriate personal presentation including clothing, hair and personal hygiene.
- Practical, organisational and social skills.
- Attention to detail and cleanliness.
- A good sense of humour/amicable nature and communication skills whether dealing face to face with clients or speaking on the telephone.
- Willingness to work flexible hours/days as agreed in the employment contract.
- A high degree of dexterity and coordination.
- Potential apprentices with a predisposition to certain skin conditions or allergies, such as occupational dermatitis, eczema or asthma, need to understand that some of the chemicals, liquids and aerosols used in hairdressing may have significant effects on their health.
- Colour blindness would restrict opportunities in the wide use of artificial colouring products and services in the industry. Units relating to colouring hair require the ability to recognise very subtle tones, shades and changes in a range of colours to ensure the safe and effective use of the chemicals used on hair.
Apprentices must always be interviewed by their potential employer and learning provider.
They may deem enthusiasm and passion for the subject to be more important than formal qualifications. It is for this reason that the Hair and Beauty Sector has chosen not to be overly prescriptive about entry requirements.
It is advantageous to have had previous experience of working within the Beauty Therapy, barbering or hairdressing industry.
Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)
Level 2: Barbering
Level 2: Barbering Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following combined qualifications below.
| Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Barbering | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| City & Guilds | C00/0711/4 601/5699/5 | 53 | 530 | Combined | English Only |
| VTCT | C00/0710/2 601/5887/6 | 53 | 530 | Combined | English-Welsh |
Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 2: Barbering | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 1 | 6 |
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2: Barbering | 308 | 409 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
53 credits for competence and knowledge - Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Barbering
The total amount of training hours for a typical learner, including both on and off-the-job guided learning is 838 hours.
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
6 credits/45 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits/45 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
6 credits/45 GLH for Level 1 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Level 3: Barbering
Level 3: Barbering Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following combined qualifications below.
| Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Barbering | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| City & Guilds | C00/0711/6 601/5698/3 | 66 | 660 | Combined | English Only |
| VTCT | C00/0710/4 601/5888/8 | 66 | 660 | Combined | English-Welsh |
Please see Annex 2 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 3: Barbering | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 2 | 6 |
| Application of number | 2 | 6 |
| Digital literacy | 2 | 6 |
On/Off the Job training
| Pathway | Minimum On the Job Training Hours | Minimum Off the Job Training Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3: Barbering | 368 | 470 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
66 credits for competence and knowledge - Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Barbering
The total amount of training hours for a typical learner, including both on and off-the-job guided learning is 717 hours.
On/Off the Job Essential Skills details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
6 credits/45 GLH for Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Communication
6 credits/45 GLH for Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Application of Number
6 credits/45 GLH for Level 2 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Other additional requirements
None
Progression
Level 2 - Barbering
Progression into:
- From a preparation for work, non-competency based qualification in barbering or hairdressing
- From the Welsh Baccalaureate Principal Learning in Hair and Beauty Studies.
- Following a Level 1 Barbering or Hairdressing programme.
- Direct entry from school or college.
- Direct entry from another occupation.
Progression from:
- To the Advanced Level Welsh Baccalaureate Principal Learning in Hair and Beauty Studies. To the Level 3 Barbering or Hairdressing apprenticeship.
- Into employment as a junior barber or other job roles in the barbering related industries.
Level 3 - Barbering
Routes into:
- From a preparation for work, non-competency based qualification in barbering or hairdressing.
- From the Advanced Level Welsh Baccalaureate qualification Principal Learning in Hair and Beauty Studies.
- Following the completion of Level 2 in Barbering, Barbering African type hair or Hairdressing via either an apprenticeship or full time college based programme.
Routes from:
- Into employment as a barber or other job roles in the barbering related industries.
- Into the Higher Apprenticeship in Hairdressing
- Into higher education such as a Foundation degree in Hairdressing and Salon Management or other programmes.
Equality and diversity
It is important that apprenticeship Pathways are inclusive and can demonstrate an active approach to identifying and removing barriers to entry and progression. Pathways should advance equality of opportunity between persons who share protected characteristics and those persons who do not as identified in the Equality Act 2010.
The Protected characteristics identified in the Equality Act are age, disability, gender re-assignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity. Marriage and civil partnership is also included although only in respect of the requirement to eliminate discrimination in employment.
Training providers and employers MUST also comply with the other duty under the Equality Act 2010 to ensure that applicants are not discriminated against in terms of entry to the industry based upon those nine protected characteristics.
Apprenticeships in the sector aims to promote diversity, equal opportunity and inclusion by offering a high quality learning experience.
The delivery of the Apprenticeship must be in a setting free from prejudice and discrimination where all learners can contribute fully and freely and feel valued.
Employers/providers must be able to demonstrate their selection, recruitment and employment practices are in line with the Equality Act 2010 and there are no overt or covert discriminatory practices in relation to any of the protected characteristics.
Employment responsibilities and rights
Employment Responsibilities and Rights (ERR) is no longer compulsory. But it is recommended that all apprentices (especially the 16 years -18 year group) receive a company induction programme.
Responsibilities
It is the responsibility of the Training Provider/Employer to ensure that the requirements of this pathway are delivered in accordance with the Welsh Government/Medr Apprenticeships Guidance.
Further information may be obtained from: Medr
Annex 1 Level 2: Barbering
Relationship between competence and knowledge qualifications
The information below refers to the combined qualifications listed in Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Barbering and will ensure that the qualification carries 10 credits for each element.
Candidates must complete 7 mandatory units totalling 44 credits and optional units to a minimum of 9 credits to give an overall total of 53 credits to achieve the full qualification.
MANDATORY UNITS
- CB2 Cut men's hair using basic techniques - 12 credits (7 Competence 5 Knowledge)
- CB3 Cut facial hair to shape using basic techniques - 5 credits (2 Competence 3 Knowledge)
- CB4 Dry and finish men’s hair - 5 credits (3 Competence 2 Knowledge)
- CB5 Create basic outlines and detailing in hair - 6 credits (2 Competence 4 Knowledge)
- CHB9 Advise and consult with clients - 8 credits (3 Competence 5 Knowledge)
- CHB11 Shampoo, condition and treat the hair and scalp - 5 credits (3 Competence 2 Knowledge)
- CHB12 Develop and maintain your effectiveness at work - 3 credits (2 Competence 1 Knowledge)
OPTIONAL UNITS
- AH2 Relax hair - 9 credits (4 Competence 5 Knowledge)
- CB1 Assist with shaving services - 5 credits (2 Competence 3 Knowledge)
- CB6 Colour and lighten men's hair - 14 credits (6 Competence 8 Knowledge)
- CH5 Perm and neutralise hair - 10 credits (5 Competence 5 Knowledge)
- CH6 Plait and twist hair - 5 credits (2 Competence 2 Knowledge)
- CH7 Temporarily attach hair to enhance a style - 3 credits (2 Competence 1 Knowledge)
- CHB13 Fulfil salon reception duties - 6 credits (4 Competence 2 Knowledge)
Annex 2 Level 3: Barbering
Relationship between competence and knowledge qualifications
This refers to the combined qualifications listed in Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Barbering and will ensure that the qualification carries 10 credits for each element.
Candidates must complete all 4 mandatory units totalling 40 credits and optional units to a minimum of 26 credits to give an overall total of 66 credits to achieve the full qualification.
MANDATORY UNITS
- 25 CHB14 Provide client consultation services - 8 credits (3 Competence 5 Knowledge)
- CB10 Provide shaving services - 11 credits (5 Competence 6 Knowledge)
- CB8 Design and create a range of facial hair shapes - 7 credits (3 Competence 4 Knowledge) CB7 Creatively cut hair using a combination of barbering techniques - 14 credits (8 Competence 6 Knowledge)
OPTIONAL UNITS
- AH7 Provide a variety of relaxing services - 9 credits (5 Competence 4 Knowledge)
- CB9 Design and create patterns in hair - 12 credits (6 Competence 6 Knowledge)
- CH11 Hair colour correction services 15 credits (7 Competence 8 Knowledge)
- CHB15 Develop, enhance and evaluate your creative hairdressing skills - 9 credits (4 Competence 5 Knowledge)
- CHB16 Provide specialist hair and scalp treatments - 12 credits (4 Competence 8 Knowledge) CH5 Perm and neutralise hair - 10 credits (5 Competence 5 Knowledge)
- CB6 Colour and lighten men's hair - 14 credits (6 Competence 8 Knowledge)
- CHB17 Contribute to the planning and implementation of promotional activities - 10 credits (3 Competence 7 Knowledge)
- CHB18 Contribute to the financial effectiveness of the business - 7 credits (4 Competence 3 Knowledge)
- CHB13 Fulfil salon reception duties - 6 credits (4 Competence 2 Knowledge)