Introduction to the Hair and Barbering Sector – Level 1

Required qualifications

Routes to vocational studies/Gateway programmes

Or

2 x GCSE’s grade 2 or equivalent

What skills will I develop?

This qualification, you will allow you to develop a sound knowledge of health and safety whilst working in the hair industry. You will also develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of each unit.

The purpose of this qualification is to develop your skills in hairdressing and will provide you with the foundation for further learning. It will also enable you to perform your own services and to assist others in the salon. You will build confidence and demonstrate a professional approach when working in a salon whilst experiencing a junior role.

Careers

There are currently nearly 9,000 jobs for hairdressing/barbering within the West midlands and this is predicted to grow in the next 3 years.

Level 1 will only allow you to assist others in the salon and carryout out simple services excluding technical services such as colouring or cutting. However, when you have successfully completed this qualification will have the opportunity to progress to the following level 2 qualifications:

Level 2 Diploma in women’s hairdressing or level 2 Certificate in barbering.

This will help you on the road to becoming a fully qualified hairdresser/barber.

Work experience

For level 1, learners are expected to carry out 30 hours work experience over the academic year. This will be industry based but more information can be provided once learners start the course.

Benefits of work experience:

Work Experience placements assist learners in their transition from school/college to work and aim to:

• Provide learners with an opportunity to put college knowledge and skills into a real salon environment
• Give learners an insight as to what it is like to work in a realistic environment
• Prepare learners for the demands and expectations of the working world
• Help learners make informed career decisions on what their career path with entail
• Helps learners mature, build confidence, resilience and those ‘all important’ life skills.
• Collaboration between college and employer so that we can meet their needs
• Provide learners with appropriate knowledge, skills and attitudes concerning both paid and unpaid work

English and maths

Depending on personal grades you will be carrying out 3 hours each for English and maths unless you have a grade 4 or above in which embedded activities will be included.

English and maths will also be embedded into the course whereby we look at how they naturally occur. Maths and numbers are central to many tasks we all do every day and hairdressing is no exception. Although you might think you’re “bad at maths” because you didn’t do well at it at school, you’re using it all the time at work, probably without realising it. We will look at ratios, percentages, angles, time, verbal and written communication and much more!