10 Aug 2020
Key Facts
Qualification purpose
Prepare for further learning or training and/or develop knowledge and/or skills in a subject area
Qualification Grading Type
Pass
Assessment Methods
Why choose this qualification?
These qualifications are intended to provide learners with a broad introduction to the hair and beauty sector, equipping learners with underpinning knowledge and skills specific to the sector alongside a range of transferable employability skills. They are designed to support progression to further learning and ultimately to work in hair and beauty or other related sectors.
The Skills for Hair and Beauty qualifications form part of our Suite of Skills qualifications that cover a number of sectors and are available at Entry 3, Level 1 and Level 2. The employability skills units are common across the suite, enabling easy transfer of credits between qualifications and supporting opportunities for cross-faculty working.
The qualifications have been developed with the support of a number of further education colleges, training providers and adult and community learning providers. They have been designed to be consistent with the principles for study programmes for 16-19 year olds but are also relevant, particularly in the case of the smaller qualifications, for adults including the unemployed. These qualifications are also suitable for pre 16 learners.
Changes to our “Skills for…” qualifications
The recent review of our Vocational qualifications has resulted in changes to qualifications in the Hair and Beauty sector that will come in to effect as of the 1st August 2020. Please refer to the new Skills for the Hair and Beauty Sector qualification specification or unit spreadsheet for further details.
Rules of Combination
Learners must complete the three mandatory units from the Mandatory Group (M), totalling 6 credits. In addition, they must complete a minimum of 6 credits from Group O1 (Optional units - Hair and Beauty) and 6 further credits from either Group O1 or Group O2 (Optional units - Employability Skills, English and Maths). Learners cannot include more than one unit with the same or similar title.
Units
A minimum of 6 credits must be completed from this group
Health and Safety in the Salon Environment
Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector
Presenting a Professional Image in a Salon
A minimum of 6 credits must be completed from this group.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Basic Make-up Application
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Create a Hair and Beauty Image
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Create an Image using Colour for the Hair and Beauty Sector
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Evening Make Up
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Hair Plaiting
Plaiting and Twisting Hair
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Hand Care
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Nail Art Application
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Salon Reception Duties
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Setting up for Hair and Beauty Services
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Shampoo and Conditioning
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Skin Care
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Styling Men's Hair
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Styling Women's Hair
A maximum of 6 credits may be completed from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
A maximum of 6 credits may be completed from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Applying for a Job
Career Planning
Communication Skills for Work
Conduct at Work
Customer service skills
Digital Skills for Work
Exploring Entrepreneurship
Exploring and Presenting Enterprise Ideas
Health and Safety in the Workplace
Interview Skills
Introduction to Self-Employment
Making the Most of Work Placement
Negotiation Skills
Numeracy Skills for Work
Searching for a Job
Self-Management Skills for Work
Setting and Meeting Work-Related Targets
Skills for Creative Thinkers
Skills for Effective Participants
Skills for Independent Enquirers
Skills for Reflective Learners
Solving Work-Related Problems
Time Management
Working Safely
Working in a Team
Working with Colleagues
A maximum of 6 credits may be completed from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Engage in Discussion
Engage in Discussion
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Listen and Respond
Listen and Respond
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Read for Information
Read for Information
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Read for Purpose and Meaning
Read for Purpose and Meaning
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Speak to Communicate
Speak to Communicate
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Write Accurately
Write with Accuracy
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Write to Communicate
Write to Communicate
A maximum of 6 credits may be completed from group O2a, O2b and O2c.
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Making Calculations
Making Calculations
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Money, Time and Temperature
Money, Time and Temperature
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Numbers, Decimals, Fractions and Percentages
Using Whole Numbers, Decimals, Fractions and Percentages
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Numerical Relationships, Algebra and Ratios
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using and Communicating Data
Using and Communicating Data
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using Probability
Learners may choose 1 unit from this group.
Using Size, Shape and Measures
Using Size, Shape and Space
What is the purpose of this qualification?
It is anticipated that this qualification will be of specific relevance to:
• Young people interested in a career in the hospitality and catering sector who intend, but are not yet ready, to access level 1 qualifications
• Young people and adults, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, who wish to work in the hospitality and catering sector but need a grounding in the subject and an opportunity to develop more general workplace skills, usually over a one year period, before applying for work.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification provides a range of basic, introductory skills, as well as core knowledge, relevant to hospitality and catering, alongside generic employability skills which are needed both in the hospitality and catering sector and across other sectors. Mandatory units include:
• Introduction to the Hair and Beauty Sector
• Presenting a professional image in a salon
• Health and Safety in the Salon Environment
Optional units include knowledge and skills relevant to different job roles in the sector (such as hand care, hair styling,) alongside generic employability skills (such as self-management skills and working in at team).
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
This qualification is part of a suite which includes an Award, Certificate and Diploma. Learners should take the Certificate if they need a broad introduction to the sector, as well as more generic workplace skills, before progressing to employment (with further training where possible) or to a Level 1 qualification, as illustrated in the target learner profiles provided above.
Which sector does this qualification support?
This qualification could lead to an entry-level role in hair and beauty such as beauty salon assistant, hair salon assistant.
What are the progression options?
Learners can progress to a Level 1 certificate or diploma in Hair and Beauty, including Gateway Qualifications’ Level 1 Certificate and Diploma in Skills for the Hair and Beauty Sector as well as other Level 1 qualifications such as Hairdressing, Beauty Therapy, Barbering.
Progression & Entry Requirements
Learners do not need any prior qualifications or a specific level of attainment to take this qualification. It is available to learners of any age.Funding information
Learning Aims Search
The Hub provides a Learning Aims Search which you can use to check the funding status of any qualification or unit.
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Hub website
We have done our best to collate and summarise the key information, and wherever possible we alert our providers to changes in funding policy.
This funding information is provided in good faith and it is always advisable to check directly with the funding agencies before committing to delivery.
The following support materials will help you to deliver this qualification.
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Related Qualifications
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award In Skills for the Hair and Beauty Sector (Entry 3)
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Diploma In Skills for the Hair and Beauty Sector (Entry 3)
- Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Certificate In Skills for the Hair and Beauty Sector
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Certificate In Vocational Studies (Entry 3)