What is an Apprenticeship?

As an apprenticeship you are employed as full-time members of staff and typically work for an employer three to four days a week. One or two days a week is spent at college, studying for nationally-recognised qualifications in the same profession as the apprenticeship.

• You must find your own employer.
• Some employers may require GCSEs on entry.
• It might be possible to do an apprenticeship with a current employer.
• You work all year round, but your College classes run from September to July.

Employers pay for the day the apprentice is in college, meaning you will receive a full-time wage at least  in accordance with the national minimum wage

Details and restrictions

• Apprentices must be aged 16 or above. There is no upper age limit, which means you can start an apprenticeship at any stage of your career.
• Potential apprentices can be existing or new employees including graduates or about to take up a permanent paid employment offer. An existing employee must be in a new job that requires a substantial amount of learning and skills development.  You must be employed by a company that has a base in Northern Ireland and is registered as an employer with HMRC and be contracted to work a minimum of 21 hours per week with one employer.

You will be allocated a personal tutor to help you throughout the course. The College also offers learning support and guidance.

Continuous assessment throughout the course and online portfolio building.

The Level 3 apprenticeship is aimed at those individuals who wish to build and develop their existing hairdressing skills. These are some of the advanced and creative units you will undertake:

• Contribute to the Planning & Implementation of Promotional Activities - plan an activity such as the hairdressing competition and implement it
• Creatively cut hair - creating restyle cuts including a precision cut
• Colour hair using a variety of techniques & Colour Correction - lightening hair and use of toners, resolve basic colour problems, creative colour techniques and corrective colouring using different types of products
• Creatively styling and dressing long hair - using conventional and non-conventional items and the use of accessories and added hair

What will I gain? 

• NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Hairdressing.
• Good practical skills.
• The ability to work as part of a team.
• Essential Skills in Numeracy, Literacy and ICT 
• Access to the Digital Learning Environment (DLE)

Following successful completion of the Level 3 ApprenticeshipsNI you may be able to progress to higher education – HNC/HND/Higher Level Apprenticeship – or employment in the field you have studied in.

• You must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course.
• You must be in paid employment at least 21 hours per week including college day release.
• Apply online and attend an information session.
• Take part in an aptitude test (if applicable).

All relevant paperwork should be uploaded to the admissions portal prior to being considered for an apprenticeship, this should include your:

• Employer response form
• Vision verification form (Electrical Installation only)
• One form of official photographic ID
• Official proof of your National Insurance number eg Letter from HMRC

To access the forms and for further details visit our Apprenticeship page