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 Nail Services is 58 credits.
The total minimum credit value required for the Level 3 Nail Services is 66 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 and liquids used in Nail Services 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.
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 previous experience of working within the nail services industry.
Entry to the nail services framework is usually at intermediate level with progression to advanced level. In circumstances where previous qualifications or experience have been gained it is possible to enter at advanced level.
Apprenticeship pathway learning programme(s)
Level 2: Nail Services
Level 2: Nail Services Qualifications
Participants must achieve the combined qualification below.
| Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| City & Guilds | C00/0227/9 500/8766/6 | 40 | 400 | Combined | English only |
Please see Annex 1 for the relationship between the competence and knowledge units within the combined qualification.
Essential Skills Wales (ESW)
| Level 2: Nail Services | Level | Minimum Credit Value |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 1 | 6 |
| Application of number | 1 | 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: Nail Services | 381 | 163 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
40 credits for competence and knowledge - Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services
The total amount of training hours for a typical learner, including both on and off-the-job training is 544 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: Nail Services
Level 3: Nail Services Qualifications
Participants must achieve one of the following combined qualifications below.
| Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awarding Body | Qualification No. | Credit Value | Total Qualification Time | Combined / Competence / Knowledge | Qualification Assessment Lanaguage(s) |
| City & Guilds | C00/0980/5 500/8780/0 | 48 | 480 | Combined | English Only |
| VTCT | C00/0211/4 500/9078/1 | 48 | 480 | 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: Nail Services | 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 3: Nail Services | 400 | 171 |
On/Off the Job Qualification details (Minimum Credit & Hours)
48 credits for competence and knowledge - Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services
The total amount of training hours for a typical learner, including both on and off-the-job training is 571 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 1 Essential Skills Wales Digital Literacy
Other additional requirements
None
Progression
Level 2 - Nail Services
Progression into:
- From a preparation for work, non-competency based qualification in Nail Services or Beauty Therapy.
- From the Foundation or Intermediate Level Welsh Baccalaureate Principal Learning in Hair and Beauty Studies.
- Following a Level 1 Nail Services or Beauty Therapy 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 Nail Services apprenticeship programme.
- Into employment as a junior nail technician or other job role in the nail services industry.
Level 3 - Nail Services
Progression into:
- From a preparation for work, non-competency based qualification in nail services or beauty therapy.
- From the Higher Diploma in Hair and Beauty Studies (England only) depending on the ability and potential the applicant or the Welsh Baccalaureate qualification Principal Learning in Hair and Beauty Studies.
- From Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services or Beauty Therapy undertaken via either an Apprenticeship (not available in Spa Therapy) or a full time college based programme.
Progression from:
- Into employment as a nail technician or other job role in the beauty related industry.
- Into higher education such as a Foundation Degree in Beauty Therapy 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 Apprenticeships Guidance.
Further information may be obtained from: Welsh Government
Annex 1 Level 2: Nail Services
Relationship between competence and knowledge qualifications
A Foundation Apprenticeship framework must identify:
The information below refers to the combined qualifications listed in B1 Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services (B1a, B1b, B1c and B1d) and will ensure that the qualification carries 10 credits for each element.
To achieve the full qualification candidates must complete the 8 mandatory units totalling 40 credits.
The knowledge and competence elements of this qualification are separately assessed.
Please see the assessment strategies, which are available on our website www.habia.org.
MANDATORY UNITS
- G4 Fulfil salon reception duties = 3 credits (2 competence 1 knowledge)
- G8 Develop and maintain your effectiveness at work = 3 credits (2 competence 1 knowledge)
- G18 Promote additional services or products to clients = 6 credits (2 competence 4 knowledge)
- G20 Ensure responsibility for actions to reduce risks to health and safety = 4 credits (1 competence 3 knowledge)
- N2 Provide manicure services = 6 credits (3 competence 3 knowledge)
- N3 Provide pedicure services = 6 credits (3 competence 3 knowledge)
- N4 Carry out nail art services = 4 credits (3 competence 1 knowledge)
- N5 Apply and maintain nail enhancements to create a natural finish = 8 credits (6 competence 2 knowledge)
Annex 2 Level 3: Nail Services
Relationship between competence and knowledge qualifications
An Advanced Level Apprenticeship framework must identify:
The information below refers to the combined qualifications listed in B1 Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Nail Services (B1a, B1b, B1c and B1d) and will ensure that the qualification carries 10 credits for each element.
To achieve the full qualification candidates must complete all three mandatory units totalling 24 credits and optional units to a minimum of 24 credits to give an overall total of 48 credits.
The knowledge and competence elements of this qualification are separately assessed.
Please see the assessment strategies which are available on our website www.habia.org.
MANDATORY UNITS
- G22 Monitor procedures to safely control work operations - 4 credits (1 competence 3 knowledge)
- N6 Enhance and maintain nails using UV gel - 10 credits (7 competence 3 knowledge)
- N7 Enhance and maintain nails using liquid and powder - 10 credits (7 competence 3 knowledge)
OPTIONAL UNITS
- G11 Contribute to the financial effectiveness of the business - 4 credits (1 competence 3 knowledge)
- N8 Enhance and maintain nails using wraps - 8 credits (5 competence 3 knowledge)
- N9 Plan and create nail art designs - 6 credits (4 competence 2 knowledge)
- N10 Develop a range of creative nail images - 5 credits (3 competence 2 knowledge)
- N11 Plan and provide airbrush design for nails - 5 credits (3 competence 2 knowledge)
- N12 Prepare and finish nail overlays using electric files - 4 credits (3 competence 1 knowledge)
- H32 Contribute to the planning and implementation of promotional activities - 5 credits (2 competence 3 knowledge)