National Apprenticeship Week: The NHBF highlights the advantages of recent apprenticeship changes

To celebrate the 11^th National Apprenticeship Week (5 to 9 March 2018), the NHBF highlights how salon and barbershop owners in England can benefit from the new Trailblazer apprenticeship standards and the cash incentives for employers to take on young apprentices.  

Hellen Ward, chair of the Trailblazer Steering group for hairdressing and barbering apprenticeships said, “Apprenticeship frameworks are being phased out in England and replaced by government-approved ‘Trailblazer’ standards which include a wider range of skills, making apprentices much more ‘salon ready’ by the end of their programmes than the older framework apprenticeships.”

Andrew Collinge, an NHBF member and a member of the Trailblazer Steering Group, already has over 70 learners on the new level 2 hair professional Trailblazer standards.  He said, “There is an expectation and a demand from employers that this new standard will produce a higher level of training and a more accomplished qualified hairdresser. Judging by the quality of work being achieved by our new Apprentices, this certainly seems to be the case and as a result we are also seeing a greater confidence from them.”

The Francesco Group, another member of the Trailblazer Steering Group, has also adopted the new hair professional standards.  Mike Fenton from Francesco Group, Sandbach said, “The end test will highlight those who have the true ability to be a hairdresser and identify those with true passion” while Helen Derbyshire from Francesco Group Buxton said, “The new standards make the apprentice prove their worth and that makes the industry stronger.” 

The NHBF’s CEO, Hilary Hall explains, “If a salon or barbershop business has fewer than 50 employees, the employer and training provider will each receive a payment of £1,000 for every 16 to 18-year-old apprentice (or 19-24-year-old who has been in care or has a local authority care plan) they take on.  The downside is that employers will have to contribute 10% (around £900) towards the cost of training and assessment for older apprentices.” 

The NHBF's Apprenticeship Guide:  

For hairdressing and barbering employers in England who are thinking of taking on apprentices, the NHBF’s Guide to Apprenticeships provides further information on the standards and funding as well as practical tips on selecting a training provider and recruiting apprentices. The guide is free for NHBF Members and non-members and can be downloaded here.