ITS a Hair Thing - May 2023

End Point Assessment Success!

Congratulations! to Ella from Stone and Molly from Inspirations who both successfully passed their EPAs with DISTINCTIONS!

Off the job training

Over the last few months, we have published a series of articles about off-the-job. We have covered what off-the training is, myth busters, common questions, and off-the-job Vs on-the job.

For the final article, we thought an overview would be beneficial. Please see this DfE webinar from a couple of years ago which goes over what we have already covered in a bit more depth.

Employers: What is off-the-job and how does it work (webinar) - YouTube

Contracts of employment

The ITS Admin team are having to chase receipt of an apprentice’s contract of employment multiple times before receiving. In fact, we still have some outstanding from sign ups that occurred in November last year.

It is a funding rules requirement that we hold evidence to confirm apprentices’ eligibility for their apprenticeship. The contract will evidence that the apprentice is employed by you, that employment will last at least until the end of the apprenticeship (including End Point Assessment) and that they are being paid a lawful wage; all of which are funding rules requirements. If we are audited and the ESFA cannot find the evidence, they may decide that the apprentice is ineligible for an apprenticeship and claw back all funding (including incentives you receive). We think that it is important to explain why we need the contracts and the possible repercussions if you fail to send them.

We would really appreciate if you could take note and send scanned copies of contracts as soon as possible after we request them. Thank you.

Important to note: going forward, we will need the contract of employment before we sign up your apprentices.

Employer/ISA Survey 2023 – REMINDER!

The ITS Employer/ISA Survey 2023 is live and awaiting your input! Thank you if you have already completed it, your feedback is important to us. If you have not replied, please do so asap.

The survey will take no more than 5 minutes, so please help us to help you by sharing your thoughts. Closing date is 31st May ’23.

Click here or scan the QR code to complete the survey.

Encouraging apprentices’ maths development

Maths and numbers are central to many tasks we all do every day as hairdressers. Often it is the case with our apprentices that they feel they are ‘bad at maths’ because they didn’t do well at it at school. However, our Trainer/Assessors aim to support apprentices develop their maths skills and remind them that they are using these skills all the time at work, probably without realising it!

It would be really helpful if you could support this message and promote the importance of apprentices developing their maths skills.

Here are 10 ways you are using maths in hairdressing without even knowing it:

1. Planning time

Even simple tasks such as booking appointments involve a basic grasp of how numbers work, especially to estimate how much time you’ll need with each client throughout the day so you don’t overrun with appointments.

2. Stock management and ordering supplies

Running out of products is every hairdresser’s worst nightmare, so being able to manage your stock accurately and order enough of the right products is really important. If you can count and do basic sums involved in stock control, you can do maths.

3. Taking payments and giving change

This is probably the most obvious way you use maths in the salon every day. Understanding how treatments are priced so you know what to charge customers and what change to give them is vital to your work.

4. Colour treatments

Understanding quantities is an important part of any hairdresser’s job, particularly when it comes to colour treatments. To select the right developer and measure the right proportion of products to get the results your client wants, knowing how volume and ratios work is essential.

5. Sectioning hair for colouring, cutting and styling

Being able to section hair means having to understand shape and space, a key concept of the maths learning we all do at school. If you can section your clients’ hair properly, you can do maths!

6. Getting the cut right

A haircut is more than just knowing how to use a pair of scissors. Understanding angles, lengths and shapes are key maths concepts that are the most important part of getting a haircut right. You wouldn’t be able to give a client the perfect asymmetric bob without them.

7. Washing hair

Neither you nor your client wants their scalp scalded! Understanding temperature to make sure it’s just right involves a knowledge of maths, as does estimating how much shampoo, conditioner and treatments your client needs for their hair.

8. Interpreting numbers

Many products you use in the salon are numbered to indicate their strength or colour. Being able to interpret these numbers and knowing what they mean is a part of mathematical understanding, so if you get it then you can do maths!

9. Running a salon

As with running any business, maths skills are essential to calculating profits and outgoings, including rent, bills and paying your stylists. Even if you’re not running the salon, you’ll still need to check you’ve been paid correctly and understand your payslip.

10. Spatial skills

If you’re considering starting a salon or you’ve already opened your own, making decisions about the design of your space will have involved more maths than you’d think. Understanding the space, measuring for fixtures and fittings, and working out how many workstations and sinks to fit – all involve mathematical understanding.

UK labour markets

The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee in Parliament published a report last week on the back of their inquiry in 2022 into post-pandemic economic growth: UK labour markets.

The report shows that vacancies are still above pre-pandemic levels and that these shortages hamper growth. Some of the recommendations to the Government include:

• Establish a Ministry of Labour and appoint a new Minister of State for Labour in the Cabinet Office with authority to convene and coordinate labour market policy across Whitehall.
• The Government to reconsider the need for an Employment Bill to address gaps in employment protections.
• Build on the Spring Budget proposals and find ways to support older workers 50+ to remain in work.
• The 'returnships' scheme for retaining older workers in the labour market is welcome. However, they must offer a decent training package and value, recognise older workers' skills, and provide flexible working opportunities to maximise take-up.

Help for Households Cost of Living information

The Government is providing further financial support to help households cope with the rising cost of living. Millions of eligible people on means-tested benefits and tax credits will receive three Cost of Living Payments totalling £900 over 2023/2024. The first payment of £301 will be made between 25 April and 17 May, with the second and third payments of £300 and £299 to be made in Autumn 2023 and Spring 2024, respectively. Eligibility criteria apply, and the payment will be issued automatically to eligible recipients' accounts.

For more information, go to the Cost of Living Payment page on gov. UK.

Understanding apprenticeship benefits and funding

This tool explores how hiring an apprentice can benefit businesses. Employers can calculate an estimate of how much government funding could be available towards their apprentices training costs – found here.

Step By Step Employer Guide to Apprenticeships

The Apprenticeships service has created a guide to help employers understand all the steps involved in delivering a successful apprenticeship, from finding a training provider to tips on supporting their apprentice’s wellbeing – find out more here.

Advanced and Creative Hair Professional - Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard

The Advanced and Creative Hair Professional (ACHP) is the Level 3 progression route for apprentices following achievement of the Hair Professional – Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard (or equivalent).

*Apprentices must achieve Level 2 Functional Skills (or equivalent) before joining programme. Please contact your T/A or the ITS Office to discuss how we can support you with this.

An Advanced and Creative Hair Professional

Advanced and Creative Hair Professionals are creative, passionate, and driven professionals who work without supervision, managing themselves and others when required. They provide a quality service, whilst working to the highest standards and continuously developing their personal and professional skills.

An Advanced and Creative Hair Professional works in the hair industry, which is one of the largest, most trusted and fashion forward professions. They take ownership of their work and client lists, accept responsibility, are proactive, flexible and adaptable, plan their work and time, they aim for excellence by taking exceptional pride in their work and industry. The work environment can be varied in size, style and ambiance, from a bespoke salon, the media industry, cruise ships, product houses and manufacturers to luxury high-end hair salon. They are highly skilled and experienced individual professionals who deliver hair fashion forward trends, which are innovative styles inspired by current images and their own creativity, individual flair, imagination and interpretation.

What does the apprenticeship cover?

The apprenticeship is made up of Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours. Knowledge and skills are taught within the workplace. You will need to generate a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate the following skills:

• 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 adapt 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 creative advanced colour conversion services to change the depth and tone of the hair
• uses a range of creative finishing and dressing techniques, 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 strengthening service to clients
• carries out in-depth consultation and complex analysis of the hair
• uses and applies the 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

You will be taught about expected behaviours for the industry and general employment.

End point assessment is the final stage of your apprenticeship and you must pass this to achieve your apprenticeship. It is the chance to show the skills, knowledge and behaviours you have gained throughout your apprenticeship.

Typical Job Roles:

Creative hair stylists, Advanced senior stylists, Senior hair professional or Specialist technicians

Entry requirements:

Apprentices must have previously completed the Hair Professional or equivalent qualification, Level 2 maths and English Functional Skills or equivalent qualification, and be employed in a partner salon for more than 30 hours, working a full column of clients.

Duration of the apprenticeship:

Typical duration to gateway 14-22 months

Level:

3

Congratulations! to the following apprentices who reached gateway in April:

Ellie West

Congratulations! to the following apprentices who are on track to achieve timely:

Billy Knight
Bethany Doyle
Emma Freeman
Aimee Lamb
Lydia Gander
April Stanford
Megan Wray
Lauren Ritchie
Charna Waterman
Grace Wakeling
Rhiannon Martin
Connie Gillard
Kinsie James
Katie Knight
Ellie Brown
Tanika Hughes
Valentina Visiloi
Sydnie Harwood
Kayleigh Punter
Dior Dunn
Sharna Byde
Ellie Johnston
Kayleigh Garrett
Lily Murphy

Welcome! to the following apprentices who joined programme in April:

Summer Hopkins

Apprentice of the month!

Another month of incredible talent! and once again, an extremely hard task to select this month’s winner. Team ITS extends huge congratulations Poppy Wells at Mova, Staines (Slide 4) who has been voted Apprentice of the Month!

Kind regards
Lauren Pullen
Head of Provision
Inter Training Services Ltd
Mobile: 07875 303317
Web: www.its-ltd.net

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