Overview
The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship is typically a three-year programme comprising Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3. The programme formally combines and alternates learning in the workplace with learning in an education or training centre. The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship programme is approved by SOLAS, the national Further Education and Training Authority, and recognised by the Department of Education and Skills.
Entry Routes
The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship is typically a three-year programme comprising Stage 1, Stage 2 and Stage 3. The programme formally combines and alternates learning in the workplace with learning in an education or training centre. The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship programme is approved by SOLAS, the national Further Education and Training Authority, and recognised by the Department of Education and Skills.
How to Apply
To apply for entry onto the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship programme, the employer of the applicant must complete and submit the following Expression of Interest form. Separate Expression of Interest forms need to be submitted for each applicant.
Submission of an Expression of Interest form does not obligate an employer to participate on the apprenticeship programme. Additionally, submission of an Expression of Interest form does not guarantee an applicant a place on the programme.
What happens next?
On submission of the Expression of Interest form, employers will be contacted by the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship administration to verify details and provide further information on the programme. Subsequently, employers will be contacted by a teacher/instructor to arrange an onsite visit to review salon facilities and services, supporting employers in the processing of the application.
Advanced Entry applicants will be contacted to arrange a college visit where they will be informed of the advanced entry process.
Workplace Mentors
Employers are required to nominate an appropriate senior stylist as a Workplace Mentor at this stage of the process. Workplace Mentors must meet the following requirements:
- Five or more years’ experience working as a senior stylist
- In full-time employment and based in the same hairdressing salon as the applicant
The workplace mentor could be the employer or a suitably qualified member of staff. They must be working full-time as a senior stylist in the same salon as their apprentice. For the purposes of the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship programme, full-time employment is defined as a minimum of 39 hours per week. The nominated senior stylist must successfully complete the mandatory programme of Workplace Mentor training before the applicant can join the programme.
Registration with SOLAS
Following the teacher/instructor onsite visit, employers will be contacted by a SOLAS Authorised Officer to arrange an onsite visit. SOLAS is the organisation with responsibility for the formal approval of employers and registration of apprentices. The SOLAS Authorised Officer will require documentation (e.g. educational certificates, photo ID, etc.) to back up information provided in the application. Failure to provide required documentation on time may result in a termination of the application.
On successful completion of the application process, the SOLAS Authorised Officer will approve the employer, if applicable, and register the applicant onto the programme.
Note: Submission of the Expression of Interest form and or successful completion of any stage of the admissions process does not guarantee an applicant a place on the programme.
Employer Key Considerations
- Comply with the Apprenticeship Code of Practice for Employers and Apprentices as part of the statutory apprenticeship process
- Familiarise myself with and fulfil my role and responsibilities as an employer as described by the Apprenticeship Code of Practice for Employers and Apprentices
- Employ the apprentice on a full-time contract for the duration of their apprenticeship
- Release the apprentice to attend all the required off-the-job (college) training and education
- Provide access for the apprentice to the range of salon services and activities that will allow the apprentice to gain the experience and develop the skills they need
- Provide the time, facilities and equipment necessary to support the apprentice in respect of both on and off-the-job training
- Provide a suitably qualified workplace mentor with the time, space and resources required to provide training, assessment, support and guidance to the apprentice in the workplace and in college
- Facilitate the workplace mentor’s attendance at all mandatory Workplace Mentor training workshops and events, and at all mandatory meetings with Teachers, and programme delivery and administration staff, both online and in-person
- Provide the apprentice with the required training and sufficient opportunities to practice their learning in the workplace in accordance with the programme schedule
- Pay the apprentice both on-the-job (in the salon) and off-the-job (in college) for the duration of their apprenticeship
- Engage with the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship administration and co-ordinating providers (colleges) in relation to training, programme delivery, feedback surveys and salon visits
- Ensure apprentices are provided with the following supports:
- an in-depth induction
- regular guidance
- networking opportunities
- performance feedback
- wellbeing support