Hairdressing - Apprenticeship Level 2

What is an Apprenticeship?

As an apprenticeship you are employed as full-time members of staff and typically work for an employer three to four days a week. One or two days a week is spent at college, studying for nationally-recognised qualifications in the same profession as the apprenticeship.

• You must find your own employer.

• Some employers may require GCSEs on entry.

• It might be possible to do an apprenticeship with a current employer.

• You work all year round, but your College classes run from September to July.

Employers pay for the day the apprentice is in college, meaning you will receive a full-time wage at least  in accordance with the national minimum wage

Details and restrictions

• Apprentices must be aged 16 or above. There is no upper age limit, which means you can start an apprenticeship at any stage of your career.

• Potential apprentices can be existing or new employees including graduates or about to take up a permanent paid employment offer. An existing employee must be in a new job that requires a substantial amount of learning and skills development.  You must be employed by a company that has a base in Northern Ireland and is registered as an employer with HMRC and be contracted to work a minimum of 21 hours per week with one employer.

Course Content

The Level 2 Apprenticeship in Hairdressing  provides you with the opportunity to learn and implement the core basic skills needed in today’s hairdressing industry.

Units undertaken include:

• Shampoo, condition and treat the hair and scalp

• Colour and lighten hair using a range of techniques

• Style and finish hair using a range of techniques to create a variety of looks

• Cut hair using a range of techniques to create a variety of looks

• Health & Safety

What will I gain? 

• NVQ Level 2 Diploma in Hairdressing.

• Good practical skills.

• The ability to work as part of a team.

• Essential Skills in Numeracy, Literacy and ICT 

• Access to the Digital Learning Environment (DLE)

Special Features

You will be allocated a personal tutor to help you throughout the course. The College also offers learning support and guidance.

Entry Requirements

You must:

• Have attained the minimum school leaving age of 16 

• Have or be about to take up permanent paid employment with a Northern Ireland-based company and be contracted to work a minimum of 21 hours per week (including day release/ off- the-job training) with one employer.

• Have the potential to successfully complete all the requirements of the appropriate Level 2/Level 3 Apprenticeship Framework.

• Meet any health requirements (eg colour vision) specific to the occupation of their choice.

• Have achieved any necessary entry academic qualifications (eg GCSE) determined by the relevant sector for the apprenticeship and approved by the Department for the Economy.

• Pass any entry tests specified by the relevant sector/employer and approved by the Department for the Economy.

• Attend an information session.

In addition if you are an existing employee you must be:

• In permanent remunerative employment with a Northern Ireland-based company from day one of the apprenticeship.

• Contracted to work a minimum of 21 hours per week (including day release/off-the-job training) with one employer; and meet all the other eligibility criteria as set out above.

All relevant paperwork should be uploaded to the admissions portal prior to being considered for an apprenticeship, this should include your:

• Employer response form

• Vision verification form (Electrical Installation only)

• One form of official photographic ID

• Official proof of your National Insurance number eg Letter from HMRC

Careers/Progression

• Following successful completion of the Level 2 ApprenticeshipsNI you may be able to progress to an ApprenticeshipsNI Level 3 or employment in the field you have studied in.

Assessment Methods

Continuous assessment throughout the course and online portfolio building.

Course Update

Please note from September 2025, all Ballymena courses are planned to move to the new Ballymena campus at Farm Lodge.