14 March 2023
Hair, Barbering and Beauty Therapy T Levels Postponed until 2024
The NHBF welcomes the announcement from the Department of Education that the launch of T Levels in Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy will be postponed from September 2023 until September 2024. The NHBF says we need more time as a sector to introduce the T Levels to employers and educate salon owners on T levels, so they understand that T Levels will provide a broad education offering across the sector, not a replacement for the NVQ.
Read the full press release here
How T Level students can progress after an industry placement
Industry placements provide an excellent progression opportunity. They give you:
- a way to build entry-level skills - even before you employ a young person
- an opportunity to make sure that a young person is developing the skills, workplace behaviours, and experience you need
- a chance to build a talent pipeline for junior positions, apprenticeships, and internships.
T Level students can develop to become an integral part of your workforce with skills and knowledge that is directly relevant to your industry and recruitment needs.
Additionally, by working with local schools, colleges and training providers delivering T Levels, you can avoid many recruitment-related costs and tap into a pool of exciting young people making decisions about their future.
Working with employers, the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education is designing progression profiles to show opportunities available to T Level students upon completion, including apprenticeships and employment.
Planning your industry placement
This article summarises the stages you'll need to consider once the right student and education provider has been selected. This is where you'll agree on working arrangements and plan projects and tasks through the placement.
Tips for planning projects and tasks
- Make them interesting and challenging to develop a breadth of skills
- Vary tasks throughout the placement to motivate and build a broad range of skills
- Develop the student's practical skills to support their chosen career path
- Be realistic. Don't overload or give students complex tasks
- Supervise and mentor students, especially early in the placement
- Reflect the role by setting a broad range of tasks
You can find more resources to help set projects and tasks for each skill area here.
Industry placement models
There are three typical models for industry placement: day release, block and mixed. You can design a mix of all models to suit your business needs. To find out which model is best for you, click here.
Plan industry placements – T Levels and industry placement support for employers
Deposit Return Scheme – FAQs
Zero Waste Scotland has compiled a list of frequently asked questions (FAQS) to help answer your questions about Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme. A deposit return scheme works by charging anyone who buys a drink a small deposit for the bottle or can that it comes in. They get this money back when they return the bottle or can to a collection point to be recycled. The scheme will go live for consumers on August 16 2023.
The FAQs include information on:
- what the scheme is
- why Scotland is introducing the scheme
- how the scheme works
- what drinks will and won't be included in the scheme
- the role of drinks producers in the scheme and how they can register
- the role of retailers and hospitality businesses
Business Energy Scotland service will support SMEs on path to net zero from April 2022
The Scottish Government's energy efficiency support and advice service for Scotland's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) will continue as Business Energy Scotland from April 1 2022.
Business Energy Scotland will provide a substantial free advice and support package to Scottish SMEs to help improve energy efficiency and decarbonise heating in their premises. The two main offers of support are:
- An initial energy opportunities assessment to identify where and how savings can be made.
- A comprehensive report including a potential site visit to highlight possible improvements and sources of funding.
Until April 1, SMEs can contact the Energy Efficiency Business Support service for advice and information at https://energy.zerowastescotland.org.uk/
Campaigning for you in Scotland
NHBF received a letter from Tom Arthur, MSP, Public Finance, Planning and Community Wealth Minister in Scotland, in response to a letter attaching results from the quarterly State of the Industry survey results. He clarified that the survey report provides 'valuable insight' into the challenges currently experienced in the hair and beauty sector and 'will help inform the Scottish Government's work'.
The Scottish Government agrees with our calls for further support from the UK Government related to energy prices, staff and skills shortages and VAT reduction. The Scottish Government find the cut to support on energy bills' very concerning' and have requested a meeting with the UK Government to discuss. It's useful that the Scottish Government is putting pressure on the UK Government to support energy bills for businesses in Scotland further.