Numbers for the hair professional Trailblazer apprenticeship standards are up, says the NHBF

In the first 6 months of the 2017/18 academic year the picture has changed, with 3,590 learners now started on the new hair professional Trailblazer standards and only 1,220 learners starting on the old ‘framework’ apprenticeships at level 2. This makes the hair professional apprenticeship the fourth most popular Trailblazer apprenticeship after team leaders/supervisors, electricians and customer service.

However, data released by the Department for Education in the last week shows a big drop in the number of new apprentices across all sectors, with an overall loss of over 75,000 on those starting their programmes between August 2017 and January 2018 compared to the same period in the previous year.

NHBF chief executive, Hilary Hall, said:

“It is difficult to tell whether hairdressing apprenticeships are also down compared to previous years because the drop has coincided with the changeover to the new Trailblazer standards, as well as changes to apprenticeship funding.”

There are currently just under 5,000 learners who are on hairdressing Trailblazer or framework apprenticeship programmes compared to just over 8,000 hairdressing apprenticeship starts at level 2 in the last academic year. There is still a lot of ground to make up if the current apprenticeship starts are to reach last year’s levels.

Hellen Ward, chair of the hair professional Trailblazer steering group added:

“The media has focussed on the apprenticeship levy as the main reason for the drop in apprenticeship numbers. But for small businesses who do not have to pay the levy, the mandatory cash contribution of 10% towards the cost of training and assessing apprentices has had a far greater impact. Unless they are taking on a 16-18 year old, finding £900 per apprentice is a significant barrier for a small salon or barbershop.

Wendy Cummins, vice chair of the hair professional Trailblazer steering group added:

“We’re hearing over and over again how difficult it is to recruit 16 year old school leavers onto apprenticeships. There is stiff competition from other employers and the benefits system means parents often encourage learners to stay on at school or college rather than denting their family finances.”

Hilary concluded:

“We strongly urge the government to think beyond the apprenticeship levy as the sole reason for a drop in apprenticeship numbers. We need government policy on apprenticeship funding to recognise and provide more support for the thousands of small and micro businesses who take on apprentices each year.”