Collage showing dye being washed out of a client's hair and an apprentice standing at a sink with shelves of hair produce behind. Apprenticeships logo

Hair Professional Apprenticeship

Qualification: Intermediate
Level 2

There are start dates for this apprenticeship throughout the year. Please apply and our apprenticeship team will be in contact with you to discuss.

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About this apprenticeship

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The Hair Professional apprenticeship is for those looking for a rewarding career in hairdressing.

Hairdressers provide hair cutting, styling and grooming services for men and women.  You will learn how to carry out consultations with clients, work with different hair types, demonstrate exceptional client care skills, safe working practices associated with your role and be able to work without supervision.

View our apprenticeship vacancies

In addition to learning quality skills in hair cutting, styling and colouring services, you will learn how to carry out consultations with clients, work with different hair types, demonstrate exceptional client care skills, safe working practices associated with your role and be able to work to a high level of precision without supervision.

You will acquire and develop the appropriate skills, knowledge and behaviours required for a hairdressing role. This will include how to:

  • Conduct client consultations
  • Shampoo, condition and treat the hair and scalp
  • Cut hair using a range of techniques
  • Style and finish hair using a range of techniques to create a variety of looks
  • Colour and lighten hair using a range of techniques
  • Perm hair
  • Communicate effectively and confidently
  • Maintain effective, hygienic and safe working practices

You will be expected to work independently and take responsibility for the outcomes of your work, with support from your employer and City College as the training provider.

More detailed information can be found on the apprenticeship standard website (new window).

Upon successful completion of your apprenticeship you will achieve a Level 2 Diploma for Hair Professionals qualification.

As an apprentice, you can expect to undertake work based learning with an employer and be paid a wage.

You will attend college on a weekly basis to ensure you get the support you need to succeed.  The rest of the training will take place in the workplace with in-house training provided by the employer.  You will be assigned an assessor who will help guide you through the entire apprenticeship.

Training at City College will give you a huge advantage as you will learn in our purpose-built hair salon, Kudos.  You will learn with industry-standard equipment working under supervision and with real clients to give you a wealth of experience. We have industry expert tutors, who will be on hand to teach and guide you through your apprenticeship as well as answer any questions you may have.

Candidates will typically have a minimum of GCSEs at grade 3/D or above (or equivalent) which must include English and maths. Evidence of this will need to be provided prior to starting your apprenticeship. Candidates without GCSE grade 4/C or above in English and maths (or level 2 functional skills) will need to take the tests for this level prior to taking their End Point Assessment (EPA).

To start an apprenticeship you will need an employer who is willing to take you on as an apprentice.  If you already have an employer please contact us.  If you don't have an employer already, view our current apprenticeship vacancies.

You will be required to attend a College interview prior to enrolling onto an apprenticeship.

You must be eligible to work in the United Kingdom.

  • Fees:
  • Course Length: 24 months
  • Campus: Main campus

The hair professional apprenticeship is an excellent pathway to employment in a salon as a Hairdresser.

In addition to hair salons, employers can range from the film or television industries, luxury cruise ships, hotels and the exciting world of fashion.

Information for Employers

Off-the-job training

Each apprenticeship must include 20% off-the-job training, which amounts to 20% of the apprentice’s contracted employment hours across the whole apprenticeship.  Off-the-job training is any learning undertaken outside of the normal day-to-day working environment and leads towards the achievement of the apprenticeship.  Examples of this would be shadowing colleagues, attending supplier meetings, taking external courses etc.

End Point Assessment

Each apprentice will need to undertake an End Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of their apprenticeship.  It measures the skills, knowledge and behaviours each apprentice has developed.  

An apprentice can only take this assessment once all other aspects of the apprenticeship have been completed.  An apprentice needs to be completely ready to take this assessment and the employer and assessor will decide when the time is right.  A declaration will be signed by both the employer, apprentice and assessor.  If the apprentice fails the assessment, then there will be a re-sit charge, which is generally paid by the employer.

The EPA Consists of:

1) Observation of practical assessment (maximum of 6 hrs) - A minimum of two models is required for the learner to work on. The models can be familiar to the Apprentice.                                                                                              

2) Oral Questioning - Covered throughout the observation.           

NOTE: The End-point-assessment can take place at the employer’s salon, a training provider's salon or a registered Apprentice Assessment Organisation. The plan is to use the college salon for EPAs, 6 Apprentices at a time to ensure cost effective assessments are planned.