Selecting projects and activities for Hair and Beauty industry placements
The Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy skill area has 1 T Level: Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy.
Within this T Level, the specialisms that students can pursue will be:
- Barbering
- Hairdressing
- Beauty Therapist
- Massage Therapist
- Nail Services
- Spa Treatment
Identifying placement projects
Look for projects and activities for placement students that:
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line up with your future recruitment needs
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will attract and challenge high-calibre students who are aiming for hair and beauty career
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will give students a real insight into the tasks they will carry out when working in industry
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provide opportunities for students to make a meaningful contribution to live projects, but recognising that they are likely to be new to the world of work and so need to be involved in lower risk or non-critical activities
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allow learning and contribution without being an added burden for their supervisors, or slowing down overall speed of the salon
Below, we’ve described 3 example scenarios of projects and activities that could be suitable for placement students. We encourage you to think about placement opportunities that can offer relevant experience to students and can add value to your organisation.
You can use the planning the content of an industry placement tool to structure industry placement projects and activities, to provide meaningful experience for the student, and to deliver tangible benefits for your organisation.
Industry placement example scenarios
Contents
Barber
A student supported a barber shop over an 18-month period.
In the first part of the placement the student worked with an experienced member of the team, kept the salon clean and tidy, took bookings and prepared clients for barbering.
Over time, with supervision, they worked gradually more independently, shampooing, shaving, cutting and colouring hair.
Projects and activities:
- Make appointments using the barber shop system
- Shampoo, treat and condition hair and scalp using appropriate massage techniques and products
- With support and supervision, lighten, tone and colour hair
- Create a positive brand image using social media to enhance new business, client loyalty and repeat visits
- Whilst being supervised, use creative and precision barbering techniques
Hairdresser
A hair salon offered a placement to an industry placement student.
The student came in for a 2-week block at the start of their placement to understand the business environment and how the hairdressers cut and shampoo hair.
The student then came in 1 day a week as standard, taking on increasingly complex work, building their skills and confidence across the 2 years.
Projects and activities:
- Prepare clients’ hair prior to service
- Provide smoothing and strengthening services
- With supervision, carry out creative and precision cutting, styling and finishing techniques
- Prepare, clean, store and dispose of tools, equipment and products in accordance with legal requirements and manufacturers’ instructions
- Calculate payment required after hair services
Express beauty services
A spa that delivers a range of relaxation services, offered industry placement students an opportunity to gain more experience of delivering express services.
Students worked as part of the welcome team initially, before learning from beauty therapists offering express services. Toward the end of the placement and still with constant supervision, they carried out basic express service therapies.
Projects and activities:
- Greet clients on arrival and provide refreshments and reading materials to those in the waiting room
- Clean, maintain and dispose of equipment and products to maintain high professional standards
- Replenish stock as required by beauty therapists
- Apply and remove a range of nail finishes
- Supported by an experienced therapist, plan, prepare and perform enhancements to the appearance of the eyebrows and lashes on clients
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