In a nutshell
What are the qualifications about?
Gain the skills you need to work in a hairdressing salon or barber shop - everything from shampooing, cutting, perming and colouring to demonstrating techniques to others. A Hairdressing NVQ gives you the techniques and experience to start or develop your career in the hair industry
Who are they for?
A Hairdressing NVQ is for anyone who's serious about a hairdressing or barbering career. There are options to suit individual needs and aspirations - and if you're already working in hairdressing, you could develop your skills to become a senior stylist.
Why choose City & Guilds?
A City & Guilds qualification is proof that you have the right skills to do your job well - which is why so many employers look for people who have one. You can be confident your qualification is well respected within your industry.
City & Guilds qualifications are engaging and rewarding, and can lead to a whole range of fulfilling careers - including many of the UK's happiest professions.
Fast facts
| Qual. number: | 3008 |
|---|---|
| Type: | N/SVQ |
| Level: | 1, 2 and 3 |
| Size: | Award, Certificate and Diploma |
| Purpose: | TBC |
| Credits: | TBC |
| 197 - 554 | |
| Duration: | 6 months - 2 years |
| Fundable? | Yes. See the Learning Aims Database |
| Last registration: | 31/08/2014 |
Your questions
... if you're taking these qualifications
- What sorts of things do they cover?
Depending on the level you choose, you'll cover things like:
- shampooing, blow drying, plaiting and twisting
- cutting and styling hair
- greeting customers and running the salon reception
- advising customers on hairstyles and colours that would suit them
- colouring and dressing long hair
- perming and hair extensions.
- How will I learn and be assessed?
To get an NVQ, you need to show you've got a particular set of skills. You usually work with your training provider to review your current skills and find the best way to gain new ones - perhaps by trying new things at work, or by studying.
NVQs are assessed at work or in a realistic working environment. For each unit your assessor observes you carrying out different services and checks your understanding, this information will be recorded in your log book, which then provides formal evidence of your learning.
For a Hairdressing NVQ, you'll do hairdressing practice, learn the knowledge required and organise your own study - you'll record your achievements in a logbook packed with hints and tips from industry experts.
You might also do online courses, quizzes and games from our SmartScreen service.
- Which level is right for me?
Level 1
You're looking to be a hairdressing assistant.Level 2
You want to be a junior stylist.Level 3
You already have hairdressing or barbering qualification and want to become a senior stylist. - How long do they take?
A Hairdressing NVQ usually takes:
- 1 year full time or
- 2 years part time.
This is a rough guide - each centre decides its own timescales and you can often learn at your own pace.
- What jobs could they lead to?
A Hairdressing NVQ can jump-start your career in hairdressing - with a Level 1 hairdressing qualification you can get your first salon assistant job, and with the higher levels you could become a stylist and go on to be a salon manager.
To run your own salon or specialise in particular hair types or hairdressing treatments, you might want to think about these other qualifications too:
- Level 3 Certificates and Diplomas in Hairdressing - update and learn new skills and techniques
- Higher Professional Certificate / Diploma in Technical Salon Management - the skills to run your own hair salon.
- Award in Contact Dermatitis Prevention - the techniques to protect customers from infection.
To offer beauty treatments like nail services and spa therapy, take a look at our beauty therapy qualifications.
... if you're delivering these qualifications
- How would we deliver and assess them?
These NVQs are assessed in the workplace or a realistic working environment. The qualifications are likely to call for a variety of assessment methods and the national occupational standards define what is to be assessed. The evidence requirements will detail how many performances and aspects of the range must be demonstrated. Methods of assessment include:
- Observation of performance
- Questioning
- Knowledge assessments with both online e-assessment and paper tests available.
The learners will need an environment where they can develop their knowledge and practice their skills.
- What resources do we need?
Learners will need to be in a hairdressing salon or provided with a realistic working environment.
You'll be provided with an Assessor's Guide and Question Packs. To help develop the learners' knowledge and skills we have developed dedicated online support - SmartScreen.co.uk which offers materials such as schemes of work, lesson plans, handouts, worksheets and interactive activities. You can also access fantastic visual resources - videos, galleries, animations and more - by subscribing to our Learnxtra service.
- How can we get approval to offer them?
New to City & Guilds?
First become a centre - then you can apply for qualification approval.Already a centre?
If you're already approved to offer the N/SVQs in Hairdressing and Barbering (3014, 3015), then you may apply for approval for the new qualifications in Hairdressing/Barbering/Combined Hair types (3008, 3009) using the fast-track approval form, available from www.cityandguilds.com/hairandbeauty. - Are there any learner eligibility requirements?
There are no age limits or entry requirements for you to take these qualifications.
- Do these qualifications replace any others?
No, these qualifications don't directly replace any others.
e-learning support
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Online tutor and learning support available (SmartScreen) What is this?
Related subject areas
- Hairdressing
- Beauty therapy, spa therapy and nail services
- Complementary therapies
- Hairdressing
- Beauty therapy, spa therapy and nail services
- Complementary therapies
Related qualifications
Related careers
- Salon assistant
- Stylist, or
- Salon manager
