Level Three Advanced Standard Creative Hair Professional Apprenticeship
An Advanced and Creative Hair Professional demonstrates professionalism by maintaining confidentiality and discretion
Course Summary

Course Information for Students
Who is this course for?
An Advanced and Creative Hair Professional:
- demonstrates professionalism by maintaining confidentiality and discretion
- researches fashion forward trends, using the results to create, plan and promote a collection of hairstyle looks that reflects their own individuality
- analyses the factors that influence the design and creation of the collection of hairstyle looks, including the target audience
- designs a range of looks to create a fashion forward collection of hairstyle looks
- maintains effective and safe methods of working
- uses and adapts a range of sectioning and cutting guidelines, creative and precision techniques and technical skills to create and enhance the collection of hairstyle looks
- carries out precision and personalised cutting tailored to individual client characteristics
- formulates imaginative and creative advanced colour conversion services to change the depth and tone of the hair
- uses a range of creative finishing and dressing techniques and advanced creative colouring techniques to enhance the collection of hairstyle looks
- presents, showcases and promotes their skills though their collection of hairstyle looks via a variety of media types and platforms
- provides a smoothing and strengthening service to clients
- carries out in-depth consultation and complex analysis of the hair
- uses and applies products, tools and equipment in accordance with legal requirements, manufacturers’ instructions and salon policy
- provides advice on future services and products
- evaluates the results of the service to improve further practice
Typical job roles include creative hair stylists, advanced senior stylists, senior hair professionals or specialist technicians.
Entry Requirements
You need a Level 2 NVQ (VRQ Level 2 will not be accepted) Hair qualification plus Functional Skills Maths and English at Level 1 minimum or GCSEs graded C/4 or above.
You should be employed for more than 30 hours per week in a role that offers opportunities to work with creative styles.
What will you learn?
The apprenticeship entails:
- Level 2 Maths and English
- End-point assessment
- 20% off-the-job training
How will you learn?
The apprenticeship will be delivered in the workplace and on-site.
What will you need to bring with you?
For apprentices over the age of 19, there is a 5% cost to the employer.
You will need a hairdressing kit.
How will you be assessed?
- Observations
- Questions
- Product evidence, including photos and videos
- On-course exams and the external end-point assessment
Where next?
Further Study
You can advance to leadership, management and team leading qualifications.
Careers
You could progress to roles such as salon manager and head stylist or consider teaching or assessing careers.
Who do you contact for more information?
For more information contact Derby College on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk
Is there any financial support available?
Course Information for Employers
Apprenticeship summary
An Advanced and Creative Hair Professional:
- demonstrates professionalism by maintaining confidentiality and discretion
- researches fashion forward trends, using the results to create, plan and promote a collection of hairstyle looks that reflects their own individuality
- analyses the factors that influence the design and creation of the collection of hairstyle looks, including the target audience
- designs a range of looks to create a fashion forward collection of hairstyle looks
- maintains effective and safe methods of working
- uses and adapts a range of sectioning and cutting guidelines, creative and precision techniques, and technical skills to create and enhance the collection of hairstyle looks
- carries out precision and personalised cutting tailored to individual client characteristics
- formulates imaginative and creative advanced colour conversion services to change the depth and tone of the hair
- uses a range of creative finishing and dressing techniques as well as advanced creative colouring techniques to enhance the collection of hairstyle looks
- presents, showcases and promotes their skills though their collection of hairstyle looks via a variety of media types and platforms
- provides a smoothing and strengthening service to clients
- carries out in-depth consultation and complex analysis of the hair
- uses and applies products, tools and equipment in accordance with legal requirements, manufacturers’ instructions and salon policy
- provides advice on future services and products
- evaluates the results of the service to improve further practice
The apprenticeship leads to typical job roles such as creative hair stylist, advanced senior stylist, senior hair professional or specialist technician. It entails:
- Level 2 Maths and English
- 20% off-the-job training at a minimum
- An end-point assessment
Are they any entry requirements for my apprentice?
The apprentice needs:
- A Level 2 NVQ Hair qualification (VRQ will not be accepted)
- Functional Skills Maths and English at Level 1 minimum or GCSEs at grade C/4 or above
- To be employed for more than 30 hours
- To work in a role which offers opportunities to work with creative styles
What is required from the employer in the workplace?
- Full support and training
- A contract minimum of 30 hours
- Paid time at College for theory and practical sessions in creative hair
- Paid time at College to complete Functional Skills
Behaviours expected within the role
The following behaviours underpin the delivery of services for Advanced and Creative Hair Professionals, ensuring that clients/customers receive a positive impression of the organisation and the individual:
- Facilitates safe working practices: ensuring safety of self and others and challenging safety issues
- Problem solving: working to identify and ensure issues are resolved and demonstrating a tenacious approach
- Flexible and adaptable: showing flexibility to the changing working environment and demands, while demonstrating and encouraging curiosity to foster new ways of thinking and working
- Creativity: demonstrating individual flair and imagination using fashion forward trends in hair and approaches to their work
- Professional Development: promoting their own professional development and embracing continual development and improvement.
What qualification will my apprentice gain?
- Maths and English Functional Skills Level 2
- Diploma in Creative Hair
- End-point assessment
What will the assessment look like?
- Observations
- Products of work
- Questioning and professional discussion
Will my apprentice need to come into college?
Yes – if they are not exempt from Functional Skills. This can be in a block week or on a weekly basis. It should be paid time away from work.
If the salon does not provide training in all the aspects of the course, it is advisable for the apprentice to attend practical sessions.
The student must attend theory classes as paid time away from work.
Is there any specialist equipment required?
They need hairdressing kit.
What progression can my apprentice expect after completion of their apprenticeship?
They can progress to management and team leading qualifications.
What job roles will this apprenticeship be suitable for?
- Salon owner
- Lead stylist
- Teacher (additional qualifications will be required)
- Assessor (additional qualifications will be required)
Will the college help me find an apprentice?
You may already have someone in your organisation or someone has come to you direct asking for an apprenticeship, but if you don’t we have a free recruitment service to help you hire the best candidate for your organisation from our talent pool and external advertising through social media and the national apprenticeship services website
Contact us
If you are an employer and you would like to know more, please email businessenquiries@derby-college.ac.uk or call 01332 387421
Career Information
This course could lead to one of these careers...
Hairdressers and Barbers
£12887
Hairdressing and Beauty Salon Managers and Proprietors
£22022
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Course Information Last Updated On: November 4, 2021 11:04 am