The benefits of recent apprenticeship changes

To celebrate the 11th National Apprentice Week this week The NHF are looking at the way in which salon and barbershop owners can benefit from the new Trailblazer apprenticeship standards. Chairperson of the Trailblazer Steering group for hairdressing and barbering apprenticeships , Hellen Ward said: “Apprenticeship frameworks are being phased out in England and 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 also commented: “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. Judging by the quality of work being achieved by our new Apprentices, this certainly seems to be the case and as a result we are also seeing a greater confidence from them.” Andrew already has over 70 learners on the new level 2 hair professional Trailblazer standards. 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 to 24-year-old who has been in care or has a local authority care plan) they take on. A downside is that employers will have to contribute 10% (around £900) towards the cost of training and assessment for older apprentices.” For hairdressing and barbering employers in England who are thinking of taking on apprentices, the NHF’s Guide to Apprenticeships provides further information on the standards and funding as well as practical tips on selecting a training provider and recruiting apprentices. The guide is free for NHF Members and non-members and can be downloaded here www.nhf.info/apprenticeship