A hairdressing apprenticeship or barbering apprenticeship is an excellent way to kickstart an exciting career. An apprenticeship gives you hands-on experience as you master your trade. You will learn how to shampoo, style, colour and cut hair like a professional. Additionally, you receive structured training on giving style advice and dealing with customers; learning to become a successful Hairdresser or Barber.
If you have a creative flair, enjoy keeping up with the latest fashion trends and love working with people, then Hairdressing or Barbering could be for you. You get to work with a diverse range of clients with different styles and requirements. In addition, working as a Hairdresser or Barber puts you in a vibrant, fast-paced and exciting environment where no two days are the same.
Many career opportunities open up after qualifying as a Barber or Hairdresser. Apart from working in a salon or barbershop, you could work in a health spa, TV, film, or theatre. You could also take additional courses to specialise in a particular area of hair care or beauty therapy.
In this article, you will learn all you need to know about Hairdressing and Barbering apprenticeships.
Why Choose a Hairdressing or Barbering Apprenticeship?
Most people become hairstylists, hairdressers, or barbers because they have a passion for hair, style, and image. Choosing an apprenticeship gives you fantastic opportunities to receive training on the job. Additionally, you also earn while you learn so are guaranteed to be paid at least the apprentice minimum wage.
Another reason to choose a Hairdressing apprenticeship or Barbering apprenticeship is that you’ll have a diverse range of career choices open to you. Hairstyling, colouring, cutting, wet shaving and styling facial hair are always in demand. So, you have almost guaranteed work security after qualifying. In addition, your career is not just limited to the UK. People will always need their hair cut, no matter where they live or what language they speak.
Hairdressing and Barbering Apprenticeships
An Alan d apprenticeship program involves working full-time for a minimum of 30 hours per week in a salon or barbershop. There, you learn your hairdressing or barbering skills from a hair professional. You will also attend one of our hair academies either one week per month or on day-release programme to learn key skills to broaden your knowledge and techniques.
While working in a salon or barbershop, hairdressing and barber apprentices will be washing clients’ hair, tidying up, and other tasks such as restocking towels or hair products, or maybe answering phones.
At the completion of your apprenticeship, you will receive your NVQ qualification. During the apprenticeship, you will be assessed to track your progress. If you show particular skills and perform well, you could complete the End-Point-Assessment (EPA) in less than the standard time. This industry-recognised certificate will allow you to further your career as a barber or hairdresser.
If your new to hairdressing or barbering, then our NVQ Level 2 Hairdressing and NVQ Level 2 Barbering apprenticeships are ideal, starting from the basics and helping you to kickstart your career. For those more experienced, or who have already completed the NVQ Level 2 qualification, we have an advanced hairdressing apprenticeship – NVQ Level 3.
What Is a Hairdressing Apprenticeship Like?
A Hairdressing apprenticeship equips you with the necessary skills to cut, style, and colour men and women’s hair.
During the NVQ Level 2 program, you will have a three-week induction where you learn the principles of cutting and styling hair. Then, for four weeks, you cut hair on dummy heads and live models. During this training, you also learn about shampooing, salon etiquette and client care.
After completing the first part of the hairdressing apprenticeship, you will learn about perming, styling and setting long hair and colouring. Then the remainder of the course helps prepare you for the EPA. The typical length of time to complete the apprenticeship is 18 months.
If you opt for the NVQ Level 3 Hairdressing Apprenticeship, you will develop your existing hairdressing skills further by focusing on the creative side of the industry. You will learn the latest styling and cutting techniques, advanced colour theory and practical colouring as well as conditioning and strengthening treatments. You’ll be expected to conduct trend-research as part of the programme.
What Is a Barbering Apprenticeship Like?
A barbering apprenticeship gives you the skills to cut and style men’s hair, as well as trimming, styling and shaving facial hair.
The start of our barbering NVQ Level 2 program is like the hairdressing apprenticeship. But you will then learn the techniques to cut and style men’s hair on live and dummy models. This training involves using clippers, scissors, trimmers, and razors. In addition, you also learn the essentials for barbershop etiquette, customer service, and shampooing.
The typical time to complete the barbering apprenticeship is 15 months.
Entry Requirements
There are no qualifications required to apply to an Alan d hairdressing or barbering apprenticeship. We simply require all hairdressing apprentices and barbering apprentices to have a keen eye for style, a passion for fashion and a positive attitude. After all, people will rely on you to achieve the image they want.
How to Fund a Hairdressing or Barbering Apprenticeship
Apprenticeships are government-funded. This means that you can start training and earning money in a salon or barbershop without worrying about the cost.
We will receive funding for the apprenticeship directly from the government.
What Happens After Completing a Hairdressing or Barbering Apprenticeship
Qualifying with a Level 2 NVQ Diploma can help you to start a lucrative career in the hair industry. Most of our newly qualified hairdressing apprentices and barbering apprentices secure a permanent job in the salon or barbershop where they received training. However, with demand growing in the sector, it is not difficult to find opportunities in other salons and barbershops.
It is also possible to take specialised courses to focus on a specific niche in the industry. For example, Alan d offers advanced private courses in long hair and wet shaving. Very often, having a specialty allows you to broaden your customer base and charge more for your services.
Hairdressing and Barbering Apprenticeships in London and Ipswich
If you are thinking of pursuing a career in hairdressing or barbering, call us for more information. All our apprenticeships can be taken at either our London Hair Academy or Ipswich Hair Academy and require a minimum of 30 hours a week working in a salon or barbershop. For more information about our courses and hair academies, contact us today via our online form or call 0800 500 3147.