Apprenticeship in Hairdressing

• You’re employed by a salon and trained by a qualified professional while working.
• You learn by doing — perform client consultation, cutting, colouring and more.
• It is recommended that your employer/trainer allocates at least 2 hours per week to your training.
• You will have access to online resources and be sent theory assessments to complete.
• A HITO Sales and Training Advisor will visit regularly to assess progress and support your learning.
• Practical Assessments will take place at set points so you can demonstrate what you have learned.
• Professional Development workshops will take place throughout the year to build your skills and learn from industry experts.
• If you have any issues contact a member of the team!

Graduates of this qualification will have skills in:

• Modern styling methods and advanced cutting techniques
• Colour theory leading to professional colouring applications
• Client consultation and communication skills that build lasting relationships
• Salon operations and business management
• Health and safety in professional salon environments
• Product knowledge and retail sales techniques
• Customer service excellence and client retention strategies
• Industry trends and continuing professional development for a future-proofed career

This work-based Commercial Hairdressing programme is designed for those that want to enter the hair industry, or individuals currently employed in a salon who want to formalise their skills with proper qualifications.

• Be 16 years of age or older at the time of enrolment.
• Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident or hold a valid visa that entitles you to work and study in New Zealand for the duration of the programme.
• Be employed in a commercial barbershop, working a minimum of 20 hours per week.
• The employment agreement must comply with New Zealand employment law.
• Learners for whom English is not their first language must have an IELTS (Academic or General) score of 5.0 with no band score lower than 5.0, or equivalent.

• The employer’s workplace must be a safe and healthy environment.
• The employer must be committed to training and mentorship or provide a qualified trainer with the necessary industry experience to lead the training.
• Must allow the apprentice sufficient time and resources to undertake all required training and assessments.

Graduates will have the capacity to be employed as Senior Stylists, Salon manager, Salon owner or sales representative.

Tuition Fees: Total programme fee is $6004, which includes training resources, materials, assessments, HITO support and administration.
HITO issues annual invoices for $1715. Invoices can be paid in instalments for each training year.

You may be eligible for final year Fees Free funding. To see if you are eligible visit www.ird.govt.nz/fees-free

Additional Costs: Trainees may be charged additional fees including but not limited to, more than two transfers, extra assessments needed due to fault of the trainee (trainees may retake one resit of their final assessment for free), and assessment appeals.

Equipment: We recommend apprentices have access to a laptop or computer and internet to be able to complete their online learning. This is not advisable on a mobile phone.

Refund Policy: All HITO fees are non-refundable. Refunds will be issued for overpayments or payments made in error.