September 12th 2019 marks an important day for the Irish hairdressing industry. Long an important employer for creative, ambitious young school leavers, it has, up until now, never had a recognised qualification despite the thousands who join the industry annually. That has now changed thanks to the collaborative work of a group of dedicated industry leaders, the National Hairdressing Apprenticeship consortium , who together with a panel of education experts launched the first ever National Hairdressing Apprenticeship in 2019. The success of this programme has led to its validation by Quality Qualifications Ireland, the national body which oversees the validation of apprenticeships. This validation represents a massive boost for the industry, as it means that the apprenticeship is now formally included in the National Framework of Qualifications at level 6, the equivalent of a certificate level awarded in third level institutions.
The importance of this standard cannot be overstated as it will put hairdressing on a par with other industries, making it immediately more attractive to those looking to join this incredibly dynamic industry. The consortium will be holding a series of information evenings throughout the country. For more information, please see www. hairdressingcouncil.ie
