• QQI Level 4 Major Award, or recognised equivalent (for example Leaving Certificate) or two years full-time experience working within a salon.

• CEFRL B2+ level of English (where English is not a first language).

Non-Standard Entry

In a case where an applicant does not meet the educational requirements specified above, they must satisfactorily complete an informative panel interview facilitated by the Programme Manager.

Advanced Entry

Where applicable, advanced entry is permitted into Year 2 only through the Recognition of Prior Learning process.

Training to be agreed between employer, apprentice and local ETB.

The proposed ratio is 80% on-the-job training with the employer and 20% off-the-job training with an education provider.

Stage 1 / Year 1

• Induction
• Health and Safety
• Client Consultation
• Shampooing, Conditioning and Treatments
• Styling and Finishing 1
• Salon Reception and ICT Skills
• Colour 1
• Cutting 1

Stage 2 / Year 2

• Customer Service and Retail
• Styling and Finishing 2
• Colour 2
• Cutting 2
• Team-Leadership
• Career in Action

Stage 3 / Year 3

• Perming and Neutralising Hair
• Cutting 3
• Colour 3
• Styling and Finishing 3
• Capstone Module

Learning outcomes will consist of:

• Specialised and thorough knowledge of the theory and ethos of the hairdressing craft
• The ability to safely and effectively exercise their craft observing technical and environmental standards and regulations
• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of macro and micro environmental social and economic considerations
• The ability to diagnose and resolve problems or challenges through innovative responses and solutions
• Plan and develop evidence informed creative strategies in order to be able to respond to familiar and unfamiliar contexts they encounter
• The ability to communicate and interact effectively and exercise appropriate leadership within the workplace environment
• Exercise independence and judgment in the completion of a wide range of work and learning activities
• Exercise initiative and self-reliance in the workplace exhibiting accountability for work outputs and decisions made in the learning environment
• Demonstrate an ability to work effectively in groups, exercise supervision and leadership in occupational roles, contributing to the development and improvement of the work of others
• Exercise personal responsibility for independent learning and provide support to others in identifying their learning needs
• Articulate impressions, perceptions and interpretations from experiences of work and learning, demonstrating an awareness of a range of social, sectoral and contextual issues as appropriate to the hairdressing industry

The training is provided by the following institutions:

• Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board
• Donegal Education and Training Board
• Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board
• Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board
• Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board
• Waterford and Wexford Education and Training Board
• Louth and Meath Education and Training Board
• Cavan and Monaghan Education and Training Board
• Laois and Offaly Education and Training Board
• Tipperary Education and Training Board
• Longford and Westmeath Education and Training Board
• City of Dublin Education and Training Board
• Kildare and Wicklow Education and Training Board
• Kilkenny and Carlow Education and Training Board
• Kerry Education and Training Board
• Cork Education and Training Board

 FET Colleges

• Colaiste Dhulaigh College of Further Education
• Crumlin College of Further Education
• Cork College of FET, Douglas Street Campus (St. John’s Central College, Cork)
• Waterford College of Further Education
• Mayo College of Further Education
• Enniscorthy Vocational College of Further Education, Wexford
• Limerick College of Further Education

 

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.  Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

Enterprising

Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.

Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.  Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

Qualities

As a hairdresser, interpersonal skills are vital. You need to be friendly, polite, sociable and able to talk to customers easily.

Practical skills are important too - you should be able to work well with your hands, and undertake detailed, intricate work.

A creative, artistic sense and an eye for colour and form is needed. An interest in fashion and style is important, as is self-presentation. You should be well groomed.   As a hairdresser, you need to be fit and able to stand for long periods. The use of treatments that contain chemicals may affect you if you have sensitive skin. In some cases, the treatments can cause problems for people with allergies.

 

Hairdressers, also known as stylists, typically work in hair salons, although freelancing and mobile hair salons are becoming increasingly popular.

Hairdressing involves shampooing, conditioning, cutting, styling, blow-drying and setting hair. Hairdressers may also perm, colour and bleach hair, or diagnose problems with the hair and scalp and suggest suitable treatments. A key part of the hair stylist's role is to talk to their client to find out what they would like to have done to their hair.   

Men's hairdressers or barbers, also trim beards and moustaches. Some specialist hairdressers fit wigs. Hairdressers also advise customers about styling products and may be required to carry out reception duties in the salon. Hairdressers, especially trainees, are also required to sweep the floor, launder towels and sterilise the styling implements used in the salon.  In a small salon, stylists may do all these tasks on their own. In larger salons, where there are several members of staff, a trainee or a junior stylist may assist the more senior hairdressers.    

Hairdressers need to be aware of new trends in hairdressing, new styles, techniques and treatments. Qualified hairdressers are responsible for their own clients. Hairdressing is a very sociable job. The stylist aims to establish a good relationship with clients in order to maintain their business and build up a strong client base. They need to be skilled in the various tasks and techniques involved in cutting, perming or colouring a client’s hair. Many products are used in the hairdressing business, some of which contain chemicals. Hairdressers need to understand the effect that these can have on the clients' hair.    

Mobile hairdressing businesses and freelancing have become popular in recent years, where the stylist goes to peoples' homes (e.g. for brides on the morning of their wedding), or to hospitals and residential care institutions. In fact, as long as you have your scissors and your comb, and are skilled in using them, you can work pretty much anywhere, from a nursing home, to a cruise liner.

By the end of your training, you will be able to:

• Carry out consultations with clients and demonstrate excellent communication skills

• Demonstrate safe working practices associated with your role

• Cut, colour and lighten hair

• Perm hair

• Blow dry hair in different styles

• Execute delicate and professional up-styles

• Professionally shampoo and condition hair

• Manage salon receptions and provide excellent customer care

 

On successful completion of this programme, Hairdressing Apprentices will be awarded with a QQI Level 6 Qualification in Hairdressing.

Graduates have a range of options including working in a salon, working as a freelance or mobile hairdresser or even starting their own hairdressing business.

Some may also use the Level 6 Qualification as a stepping stone into a Higher Education Institute to further their studies.

Qualified hair stylists have diverse career opportunities available to them. Many work in a salon as a stylist or advance to specialise as a Senior Stylist, Senior Colour Technician, Master Colour Technician, Style Director, Salon Manager or Salon Owner.

Note: People in employment have a number of options for both Educational and Career Progression. It might also be possible to gain promotion within your existing company. 

By using your existing qualifications and your experience you might to able to secure an alternative position in a more senior role in another company. It may also be possible to set up your own company based again on your existing qualifications and experience.  Whatever route you decide to take remember education is a lifelong pursuit and you can always continue to up skill and/or retrain, whatever your age.  Links to some educational and enterprise supports can be found below.   

Career Progression Useful Links:  

Achievement of this award will enable the learner to progress to other appropriate programmes leading to awards at the next or higher levels of the NFQ. These routes will be explored further as part of the programme development process. Typical progression may include progression into management programmes at Level 7 and 8 on the NFQ.

A specific collaboration between Synergy Hair Group, LCETB and the University of Limerick has provided a progression route for qualified hair stylists to progress to a Certificate in Management - NFQ Level 6, with further progression opportunities to a NFQ Level 7 in Management. Routes to other NFQ programmes are currently under negotiation with industry partners, to include sciences, health and safety, social media, and accounting for business. Progression may also be through other industry led progression routes which will be presented to the qualified apprentices as they become available.

The most typical progression route for qualified hair stylists however is progression into owning their own salons.

You may also decide to embark on a partial award or to up skill in a particular area by undertaking a short specialised course.   Depending on your skills, knowledge and experience some of the opportunities below might be appropriate to help develop your Career pathway.   

• Springboard & conversion courses  
• Skillnet Sector learning network courses
• Skills to advance Local ETB Board
• Further education training centres Fetchcourses
• Post graduate education Search Post Graduate options

Enterprise and Self-Employment Support:

On completion of an apprenticeship if you feel you have the appropriate knowledge, skills and experience you may decide to set up your own business. The links below might be useful to support you’re here

• Local Enterprise Offices, For profit Local enterprise support
• Local Area partnerships For profit enterprise support
• Social entrepreneurs: Not-for-profit enterprise support
• Franchising: Developing your business under an established franchise 

Anyone interested in becoming an apprentice hairdresser must firstly secure employment with a salon. Salons may advertise vacancies through various channels

The employer will then start the apprentice registration process with SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority. 

To find an apprenticeship, you can search apprenticeship vacancies and a list of currently approved apprentice employers on the Apprenticeship Jobs & Employers Portal. You can search for vacancies by location, and employers in each apprenticeship.

Use this link to explore a list of Approved Employers by Region and by Apprenticeship type.

During the registration process the applicant will be required to provide:

• A copy of a relevant NFQ Level 4 qualification, such as Leaving Certificate Applied, a QQI Level 4 Major Award, or recognised equivalent.
• Where a Level 4 standard of education has not been achieved, proof of two years full-time employment within a salon is required, that is, a letter from an employer/s
• In the case where an applicant does not meet the educational requirements specified above, they must satisfactorily complete an informative panel interview
• CEFRL B2+ level of proficiency in English (where English is not a first language).

This apprenticeship is managed by Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board. If you are interested in a Hairdressing Apprenticeship you should make contact with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board via the contact details below.

The first group of Recognition of Prior Learning applicants for the Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Hairdressing were recently briefed on the programme - see the presentation here.

Eamonn Gardiner
National Apprenticeship Programme Co-ordinator
Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board
Tel: 086-1040902
Email: [email protected]

Full eligibility criteria for this apprenticeship are available on the Hairdressing Apprenticeship website.

Finding an employer and securing your apprenticeship

Finding an employer or registering your interest with an official Coordinating Provider is one of the first things you need to do to start an apprenticeship.

Online Jobsites

Here are some direct links to employment websites that frequently list apprenticeship vacancies.

Note: These websites may include vacancies that are not QQI accredited Apprenticeships.

As an apprentice, you earn while you learn. The employer pays you a salary while you are being trained on-the-job and off-the-job. The rate of pay is agreed between you and your employer.

Apprentices are not required to pay a student contribution for this apprenticeship.