Apprenticeship is defined as a programme of structured education and training. It formally combines and alternates learning in the workplace with learning in an education or training centre. Apprenticeship is a dual system, a blended combination of on-the-job employer-based training and off-the-job training. Only apprenticeships approved by SOLAS, the further education and training authority, are recognised by the Department of Education and Skills.
To become an apprentice in Ireland you must be hired by an employer. Apprentices get a formal contract of employment as part of their apprenticeship. Taking up a job with a company does not mean that you have started an apprenticeship, check with your employer if you have started a SOLAS approved apprenticeship. If you are still uncertain contact SOLAS or your local Education and Training Board (ETB) office for clarity.
The duration of the National Hairdressing apprenticeship is a minimum of 3 years.
Anyone interested in becoming an apprentice must firstly secure employment with a salon directly, the salon then contacts us to register their apprentice.
Yes. The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship is a statutory apprenticeship, certified by Quality and Qualifications Ireland at Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications.
The QQI Level 6 qualification is a nationally recognised qualification in Ireland. This qualification is also recognised internationally.
The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship is currently being offered at the following locations:
- Coláiste Dhúlaigh Killbarrack, Dublin
- Crumlin College of Further Education, Dublin
- Finglas Training Centre, Dublin
- College of FET, Mallow Campus, Cork
- College of FET, Douglas Street Campus, Cork
- Cavan Institute, Cavan
- Tallaght Training Centre, Dublin
- Sallynoggin College of Further Education, Dublin
- GRETB FET Centre, Roscommon
- Galway Technical Institute, Galway
- Kerry College, Monavalley Campus, Kerry
- Naas Hair & Beauty Academy, Kildare
- Wicklow Hair & Beauty Academy, Wicklow
- College of FET, Raheen Campus
- College of FET, Ennis Campus
- Regional Skills & Training Centre, Dundalk, Louth
- Dunboyne Institute, Meath
- Portlaoise Institute, Portlaoise
- Templemore College of Further Education, Tipperary
- Enniscorthy Community College, Wexford
- Waterford College of Further Education, Waterford
The programme will be expanded further across Ireland, subject to employer demand.
The ratio is 80% on-the-job training with the employer and 20% off-the-job training with an education provider.
The employer pays the apprentice both on-the-job and off-the-job for the duration of the apprenticeship. In all cases, the rate of pay is agreed between the employer and the apprentice.
All certification and qualification costs are paid by the education and training provider.
A comprehensive range of information on Apprenticeships in Ireland is available at www.apprenticeship.ie.
Employer FAQs
No. There is no cost to register the apprentice with SOLAS.
In all cases, the rate of pay is agreed between the employer and the apprentice. SOLAS and the ETBs do not interfere or make any recommendations with regard to apprentice salaries.
The off-the-job training is provided free of charge to the employer and apprentice.
- Request to become an employer on the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship programme
- Complete an Expression of Interest form
- The Expression of Interest form is available on the NHA website
- The National Hairdressing Apprenticeship team will contact the employer to verify the application details
- Visit from the Provider Subject Matter Expert
The Subject Matter Expert will support the salon and will:
- Telephone to make an appointment for a site visit to the salon
- Visit to discuss the salon facilities required to train an apprentice and discuss the requirements of the workplace mentor
- Determine employer capacity to deliver the on-the-job training and forward a report to the Senior Training Advisor/SOLAS Authorised Officer
- Visit from the Senior Training Advisor/SOLAS Authorised Officer
- The Senior Training Advisor/Authorised Officer will telephone to make an appointment for a visit to the salon to complete a Suitability to Train form
- This is part of the formal statutory employer approval process
- The Senior Training Advisor/Authorised Officer will guide and assist the employer with the suitability to train process
- If suitable, the Senior Training Advisor/Authorised Officer recommends the employer to SOLAS for statutory approval to train apprentices
- Suitability to Train Approval
- The employer will be contacted to confirm approval through a formal SOLAS communication
- Where an employer is not approved, the Senior Training Advisor/ Authorised Officer will advise the employer on the next steps
- Apprentice Registration
- The employer will submit an Apprentice Registration Form
- This form is available from the Senior Training Advisor/Authorised Officer
The employer can submit an expression of interest to take on an apprentice by going to the hairdressingapprenticeship.ie website and completing the Expression of Interest form. Once they submit their details they will be contacted by the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship team to initiate the registration process.
Workplace Mentors will be experienced hairdressers. They will occupy a role in the workplace that corresponds to a senior hairdresser level. They will be appointed by the employer, approved by the Senior Training Advisor/Authorised Officer. Their role is to guide the apprentice through their apprenticeship as part of a normal salon day or week. A workplace mentor may share with an apprentice information about his or her own career path, as well as provide guidance, motivation, emotional support, and role modelling.
Employers and Workplace Mentors will be briefed on the Workplace Assessment by the programme team in collaboration with the Consortium Steering Group. They will be trained to ensure that they understand their responsibility in relation to training and assessing an apprentice on-the-job, to industry and awarding body standard. They can be responsible for mentoring and assessing apprentices in the workplace.
The Workplace Mentor needs to have 5 years of post qualification experience as a senior stylist. They do not need to hold a formal certificate in hairdressing.
The Workplace Mentor must attend mandatory Workplace Mentor Training workshops. These workshops are provided by the Education and Training Boards free of charge.
- Senior Training Advisors/SOLAS Authorised Officers are available to guide and assist employers through the approval and registration process.
- The National Apprenticeship Programme Co-ordinator and local Education and Training Board Programme Leaders are available to offer clarity and support where needed.
- Training and resource material is available for Workplace Mentors. Workplace Mentors and employers are also offered assistance from the Senior Training Advisors/SOLAS Authorised Officers, Programme Leaders and the National Apprenticeship Programme Co-ordinator as appropriate.
- Free off-the-job training of apprentices. Education Providers do not charge for any part of the off-the-job training.