Although different types of apprenticeship are available and there are differences between England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, all apprenticeships follow the same basic pattern:

≠  A work-based qualification that is designed to ensure the apprentice is “job-ready”, such as the Level 2 Hair Professional Standard with routes available in Hairdressing or Barbering and Level 3 Advanced and Creative Hair Professional.

≠  Transferable skill qualifications such as Maths and English

≠  Hair Professional (Level 2) apprentices will be eligible for state registration with the Hair Council.


The Trailblazer Apprenticeship Standards have equivalent educational levels:

≠  Hair Professional (Level 2) is equivalent to GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C).

≠  Advanced and Creative Hair Professional (Level 3) is equivalent to A-Levels at grades A to E.