Hairdressing and Barbering 'Trailblazer' Apprenticeships

The fundamental principle of ‘Trailblazer’ apprenticeships is that developing them is an employer led process; it is a chance for employers to ensure they get an apprenticeship that makes people job-ready. As an industry we are largely made up of SME’s (small/medium size enterprises) but as a sector we are one of the largest employers of apprentices so our involvement and input is critical.

Firstly, I would like to personally thank the many individuals without whose help we wouldn’t be where we are now! They have given their time freely for the greater good of creating a stronger, better apprenticeship system. We have also learnt a lot over the last two years, and with this in mind, we need to refocus the work of the hair and beauty trailblazer groups for the next stage of the process, building on the work already done in creating the hair professional standards.

George Hammer will continue to chair the Beauty Professional Trailblazer apprenticeship group, and I will remain in the chair for Hair Professional Trailblazer, but from now on they will work separately as the standards are at different stages of development.

For the next stage of the Hair Professional group’s work, which includes the implementation of the standards and the development of a new senior hair professional standard, I am looking to refresh the Steering Group of employers to make sure there are opportunities for more employers to get involved. I want to ensure that group is wholly representative of our industry, from micro employers (with 5 or less employees) right the way through to those with groups of salons and those larger employers who make up the minority of our sector.

The group ideally will therefore reflect the whole spectrum of the hairdressing and barbering industry from all over the country and ensure all of us are being heard, listened to and valued in coming up with what we think should be the next standard for ‘Hair Professionals’ to aspire to. The work of the Steering group will then pass to the Implementation Group who are tasked with the very important job of deciding how what we want will be delivered.

If you would like to be part of the Steering Group, the Implementation Group or working groups, I would like to hear from you. Places are limited, but by registering your interest you will automatically become part of our consultation group, so you will still have your say.

It is likely that there will be around 6 meetings per year maximum that will take place on Mondays and many will be held in London (depending on the group demographic). This work is entirely voluntary, but travel expenses are paid by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.

If you’d like to find out more, have a look at our structure plan which sets out the roles and responsibilities.

Hellen Ward
July 2016

To register your interest please contact enquiries@nhf.info or caroline.larissey@habia.org
by no later than 31 August 2016. Please include the following information:

Your name
Your salon/barbershop name
Best phone number to contact you on
A description of your salon/barbershop – how many people you employ, where you’re located, the type of business you run
Which group(s) you want to be on
What you would be bringing to that group (skills and experience)

Shortlisting will be carried out during September. Successful applicants will be contacted by Friday 23 September. The first Steering Group meeting will be held in London on Monday 31 October starting at 12 noon (venue tbc). Please make a note of this date in your diary.

For further information regarding the different groups download document here.