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Key Skills

Key Skills are a collection of competencies that are part of our everyday lives. They cover the skills that we need to be a success in our work and personal lives.

Key Skills for the Hairdressing Apprenticeship and Advanced Apprenticeship cover:

  • Communication

  • Application of Number

Application of Number work, helped by trainer/assessor
reception duties task for Communication

All Apprentices have the opportunity to prove their competence in the above Key Skills, either by providing evidence of the required standard achieved at GCSE level (an A* to C) or by completing the Key Skills project work and online tests. Key Skills learning is geared to tasks normally undertaken in the work-place,so it is very much part of the vocational learning process.

For instance, everyday salon tasks such as measuring and calculating are competencies that can be put towards the Application of Number key skill. Proof of key skill competence is important to employers because they recognise your ability to operate effectively in your work role. Key Skills projects are 'salon-friendly', e.g. Charting the sales of products, which are the best-sellers and which stock items stay on the shelves.

Each key skill unit is available at levels 1 to 5. The complexity of each skill increases with each level, but in hairdressing only levels 1 and (for the Advanced Apprenticeship) 2 need to be achieved.

Learning Support

Before starting the training programme, each learner takes part in an assessment to identify whether or not they need extra help to overcome particular learning difficulties or problems. This may be because of missing out on a particular skill because of absence, or they may be dyslexic, or have a visual or hearing problem for which they have not received help.

If the need for extra help is identified, training programmes are then tailored to suit individual learners' needs. This is done through discussion with between the learner and the Learning Support Mentor who will put together a structured support programme based on guidelines set by the Basic Skills Agency.

As with our other programmes, if you are aged between 16-18, the support is government funded. As learners take responsibility for themselves, they often welcome the chance to work witha professional on a one-to-one basis in a relaxed and unthreatening environment.

product stock recording as part of Application of Number project

More information about Key Skills can be found on a fun site which has games and practice tests to help get you in the zone for the online tests. To go there, click on the image below, and be prepared to enjoy learning!" In addition you will receive practice tests from ITS Ltd, and your trainer/assessor is there to help.

link to Key Skills practice site