National Hairdressing Apprenticeship available from January

The new National Hairdressing Apprenticeship will be available in a number of locations across Dublin from January 2021 following a collaboration with the City of Dublin Education and Training Board (CDETB).

The new programme has been developed as a new statutory apprenticeship by a consortium of industry and education providers, with Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board as the lead co-ordinating provider. Education and Training Boards in Cork, Kerry, Waterford and Wexford, Cavan and Monaghan are also on board to support the delivery of the apprenticeship.

It is the first of its kind for the hairdressing industry in Ireland, providing apprentices who complete the programme with a Level 6 Major Award on the National Framework of Qualifications, with certification awarded by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI).

Aimed at school leavers who have completed their Leaving Certificate, early school leavers who have at least two years' full-time salon experience and mature applicants who wish to pursue a career in hairdressing, the three year programme will offer training on a day-release basis with students placed in the salon environment for a four days a week under the guidance of a salon mentor. 

Suzanne Kiely, National Programme Co-ordinator for the new National Hairdressing Apprenticeship, comments: 

“This apprenticeship heralds a positive change in approach to the education and training of hairdressers in Ireland. It is a real game-changer for the industry in Ireland and now represents the national standard for hairdressers in Ireland. The programme is an innovative employer-led undertaking, which has its finger on the pulse of what is required by the hairdressing industry of today.” 

Coláiste Dhúlaigh College of Further Education in Kilbarrack is one of the locations where City of Dublin Education and Training Board will offer the new programme. Kevin Cahill, responsible for its apprenticeship training, says:

“While the new structure will provide challenges for the industry, I believe that Irish hairdressing is more than ready for them and it will be fantastic to see apprentice hairdressers here finish with a qualification that is both nationally and internationally recognised.” He continued: “I believe this will have incredible long-term benefits not only for the apprentices but also for the employers and the quality of recruits coming into the industry.”

Employers who wish to register an apprentice must first be approved by SOLAS, the Further Education and Training Authority, with an Apprenticeship Incentivisation Scheme available for employers. Salons should register interest online.