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

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

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

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.