02 Mar 2021
This qualification is being withdrawn
The operational end date (last date for new starts) of this qualification is 31/07/2021 and the certification end date is 31/07/2022.
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 the decision to withdraw the Entry Level Diploma in the Skills for the Hair and Beauty Sector (Entry 3) qualification. The Operational End Date of the qualification will be the 31/07/2021 and the Certification End Date will be the 31/07/2022. The E3 Diploma qualification specification covers just this qualification until it’s withdrawal.
Please refer to the new Skills for the Hair and Beauty Sector qualification specification for further details of our updated E3 to L1 qualifications.
Rules of Combination
Learners must complete the three mandatory units from Group M, totalling 6 credits. In addition, they must complete a minimum of 14 credits from Group O1 (Optional units: Hair and Beauty) and 17 further credits from either Group O1 or Group O2 (Optional units: Employability Skills). Learners cannot include more than one unit with the same or similar title. For full details see list of barred units which can be found in the qualification specification.
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 maximum of 17 credits may be completed from this group
Applying for a Job
Applying for a Job
Assessing own Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills
Assessing own Personal, Learning and Thinking Skills
Building Working Relationships with Colleagues
Career Planning
Career Planning
Career Progression
Career Progression
Conduct at Work
Effective Communication in the Workplace
Effective Communication in the Workplace
Effectiveness at Work
Effectiveness at Work
Exploring Entrepreneurship
Exploring Entrepreneurship
Exploring and Presenting Enterprise Ideas
Exploring and Presenting Enterprise Ideas
Interview Skills
Interview Skills
Introduction to Self-Employment
Introduction to Self-Employment
Learning from Work Placement
Learning from Work Placement
Positive Attitudes and Behaviours at Work
Preparing for Work Placement
Preparing for Work Placement
Preparing for an Interview
Preparing for an Interview
Searching for a Job
Searching for a Job
Setting and Meeting Targets at Work
Skills for Creative Thinkers
Skills for Creative Thinkers
Skills for Effective Participants
Skills for Effective Participants
Skills for Independent Enquirers
Skills for Independent Enquirers
Skills for Reflective Learners
Skills for Reflective Learners
Skills for Self Managers
Skills for Self Managers
Skills for Team Workers
Skills for Team Workers
Solving Work-related Problems
Solving Work-related Problems
Time Management
Using ICT in the Workplace
Using ICT in the Workplace
Using Numeracy Skills in the Workplace
Using Numeracy Skills in the Workplace
Work in a customer-friendly way
Work in a customer-friendly way
Working in a Team
Working in a Team
Working with Colleagues
A minimum of 14 credits must be completed from this group
Basic Make-up Application
Bridal and Special Occasion Hairstyles
Create a Hair and Beauty Image
Create an Image using Colour for the Hair and Beauty Sector
Displaying Merchandise
Evening Make Up
Hair Plaiting
Hand Care
Handling Stock in a Retail Environment
Nail Art Application
Plaiting and Twisting Hair
Salon Reception Duties
Setting up for Hair and Beauty Services
Shampoo and Conditioning
Skin Care
Styling Men's Hair
Styling Women's Hair
Themed Face Painting
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 hair and beauty sector who intend to access level 1 qualifications but will need a fairly extensive learning programme before they are ready to do so
• Young people and adults with little or no prior attainment, including those with learning difficulties and/or disabilities, who wish to work in the hair and beauty sector but need a fairly extensive grounding in the subject and an opportunity to develop more general workplace skills, over an extended period of time, before applying for work.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification provides a wide range of basic, introductory skills, as well as core knowledge, relevant to hair and beauty, alongside generic employability skills which are needed both in the hair and beauty 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 make-up application, hair styling, skin care, nail care) alongside generic employability skills (such as self-management skills, solving work related problems 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 Diploma if before progressing to employment (with further training where possible) or to a Level 1 qualification, they need an extended introduction to the sector including the opportunity to build up a range of skills and knowledge, explore a number of potential job roles in the sector, and gain a set of more generic workplace skills. The Diploma will be suitable for learners who would benefit from an extended period of time working at Entry level, up to 2 years, before they are ready for Level 1.
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, nail technician.
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
From 1st July 2021, the Hub will be replaced by a new Find a learning aim (FALA) service. This service is currently in BETA so if you experience any issues with finding funding details, please double check on the Hub above, or contact your account manager.
View this qualification on the ESFA’s Find a learning aim website
How to find a learning aim
If you’re not sure how to use the new find a learning aim website, we’ve created a handy walkthrough to help you:
How to Use: Find a learning Aim
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.
Related Qualifications
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Award In Skills for the Hair and Beauty Sector (Entry 3)
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Certificate In Skills for the Hair and Beauty Sector (Entry 3)
- Gateway Qualifications Level 1 Diploma In Skills for the Hair and Beauty Sector
- Gateway Qualifications Entry Level Diploma In Vocational Studies (Entry 3)