Trailblazer apprenticeships will boost standards

To celebrate the 11^th National Apprenticeship Week (5th to 9th March 2018), the NHF has highlighted how barbershop owners in England can benefit from the new Trailblazer apprenticeship standards. Apprenticeship frameworks are being replaced by government-approved ‘Trailblazer’ standards which include a wider range of skills, making apprentices much more ‘salon ready’ by the end of their programmes than the older framework apprenticeships.

Andrew Collinge, an NHF member and a member of the Trailblazer Steering Group, already has over 70 learners on the new level 2 hair professional Trailblazer standards.  “There is an expectation and a demand from employers that this new standard will produce a higher level of training and a more accomplished qualified hairdresser,"  he said. Mike Fenton from Francesco Group, also a member of the Trailblazer Steering Group, said: “The end test will highlight those who have the true ability to be a hairdresser and identify those with true passion."

The NHF’s CEO, Hilary Hall explains: “If a salon or barbershop business has fewer than 50 employees, the employer and training provider will each receive a payment of £1,000 for every 16 to 18-year-old apprentice (or 19-24-year-old who has been in care or has a local authority care plan) they take on. The downside is that employers will have to contribute 10% (around £900) towards the cost of training and assessment for older apprentices.”

A free apprenticeship guide is available to NHF Members and non-members and can be downloaded here www.nhf.info/apprenticeship