Occupational Summary
A Level 2 apprenticeship as a Hairdressing Professional prepares apprentices to work as a Hair professional, Hair stylist, Hairdresser or Stylist. Apprentices carry out comprehensive client consultations and deliver a range of hairdressing services to create a variety of looks, applying applicable industry tests and safe working practices. They uphold legal, industry and organisation standards and procedures, manage client care and retail selling, promote themselves and their salon, plan and prioritise work and time, take responsibility for their client lists, and work independently while collaborating with a diverse range of clients and salon colleagues.
The programme is defined by 66 knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs), has a typical duration of 24 months and a maximum funding band of £11,000. End-point assessment is via a knowledge test, a practical assessment and a professional discussion, underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.
View official Skills England source text
This occupation is found in the hair and beauty sector. The work environment is always customer facing, can be varied in size, style and ambiance, from a small micro salon, to a large high street premises. The broad purpose of the occupation is to provide a range of hairdressing services that meet client requirements, that are based on a comprehensive consultation, applicable industry tests, whilst maintaining exceptional client care skills, safe working practices, meeting legal, industry and organisation standards, procedures and protocols. Hairdressing Professionals are creative, passionate, and driven professionals who work without supervision. They provide a quality service, whilst working to the highest standards and continuously developing their personal and professional skills. A Hairdressing Professional works in the hairdressing 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. In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with a wide and diverse range of clients, the salon team, other associated hair and beauty professionals. They should also be able to promote themselves, their organisation, products and services using a variety of channels. An employee in this occupation will be responsible for demonstrating industry standards of professionalism, values, behaviours, communication skills, team work, retail and selling skills for clients. Completing a range of hairdressing services to create a variety of looks.
What's in the Delivery Pack?
Every section is tailored specifically to the ST0213 standard, using official KSB data, the published assessment plan, and sector-specific context.
KSB Interpretations
Plain-English interpretation of every Knowledge, Skill and Behaviour
EPA Preparation
End-point assessment readiness, gateway checklist and method guidance
Delivery Risks
Occupation-specific risks, mitigations and early warning signs
Delivery Model Options
Model-selection guide comparing day release, block release and front-loaded approaches
On/Off-the-Job Mapping
Which KSBs are best taught by the provider vs developed in the workplace
Initial Assessment & RPL
Starting points, prior learning recognition and programme adaptation
English, Maths & Digital
Where functional skills embed naturally and standalone qualification guidance
Employer Engagement Guide
Employer commitments, progress reviews and workplace engagement guidance
Get the ST0213 Delivery Guide
Unlock all 8 AI-powered sections — KSB interpretations, EPA preparation, delivery risks, employer engagement, and more. Tailored to Hairdressing professional.
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Qualifications & Recognition
Mandated Qualifications
City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma for Hair Professionals - Hairdressing 603/1379/1 (Level 2)
This is an existing qualification that is required for insurance purposes, as there are no statutory or regulatory requirements.
TQUK Level 2 Diploma for Hair Professionals (Hairdressing) (RQF) 603/3101/X (Level 2)
This is an existing qualification that is required for insurance purposes, as there are no statutory or regulatory requirements.
VTCT Skills Level 2 Diploma for Hair Professionals (Hairdressing) 603/1323/7 (Level 2)
This is an existing qualification that is required for insurance purposes, as there are no statutory or regulatory requirements.
English & Maths
English and maths qualifications must be completed in line with the apprenticeship funding rules .
Typical Job Titles
Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours
Knowledge
39- K1: Legal, organisational and health and safety regulations relevant to hairdressing businesses.
- K2: How to maintain effective and safe methods of working and infection control when completing hairdressing services.
- K3: Incidents, problems and accidents that can occur in the workplace and the actions to take, responsibilities for reportin...
- K4: The types of risk, work related injury and ill health associated with hairdressing (e.g. physical injuries, posture, dis...
- K5: How to mitigate, conduct and implement a health and safety risk assessment of self and others in the workplace.
- + 34 more items
Skills
20- S1: Adhere to legal and organisational requirements for the safe use of products, tools, materials and equipment.
- S2: Apply safe, hygienic, and effective methods of working and infection control, while completing hairdressing services.
- S3: Use communication and etiquette that meets industry requirements, suits and is appropriate to the organisation.
- S4: Maintain the client’s confidentiality and comfort (modesty, privacy) at the start and during the service.
- S5: Advise clients (new and regular) pre, during and after service on the maintenance of the look, complementary services an...
- + 15 more items
Behaviours
7- B1: Facilitates safe working practices, ensures safety of self and others, challenges safety issues.
- B2: Flexible and adaptable to changing working environments and demands, demonstrates forward thinking to adopting new ways ...
- B3: Communicates and behaves appropriately, is always helpful and courteous and adapts behaviour in response to each client ...
- B4: Demonstrates professionalism and a passion for the industry with a commitment to quality whilst working to complete serv...
- B5: Meets organisational and industry standards of appearance and maintains a positive attitude, observes professional ethic...
- + 2 more items
Duties (10)
Provide a positive impression of yourself, organisation and the hairdressing industry.
Adhere to health and safety, infection control, legal, industry and organisational requirements, industry protocols and manufacturer instructions.
Advise, consult, examine and analyse the hair, skin and scalp.
Shampoo, condition and treat hair and scalp.
Cut hair using a range of techniques to create a variety of looks.
Style, set, dress and finish hair using a variety of techniques to create a variety of looks.
Change the hair classification type by one classification using chemical services
Perform a range of chemical services to change the colour depth and tone.
Use, apply and recommend a range of products, tools and equipment for a range of services.
Maintain up to date knowledge and skills of new and emerging hairstyles, trends, techniques, products, tools and equipment.
End-Point Assessment
Assessment Plan
Type: HTML
Version & Source
- Version
- 1.2
- Standard, end-point assessment plan and funding revised
- Last changed
- 22 May 2023
- Earliest start
- 22 May 2023
- Approved for delivery
- 21 Dec 2016
- EQA Provider
- Ofqual
- Sector Subject Area
- 7.3 Service enterprises
- Trailblazer
- TB0044
- Last checked
- 11 Mar 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What knowledge, skills and behaviours are in the ST0213 standard?▼
The Hairdressing professional apprenticeship has 39 knowledge items, 20 skills, and 7 behaviours that apprentices must demonstrate.
How long is the Hairdressing professional apprenticeship?▼
The typical duration is 24 months, with a maximum funding band of £11,000.
What does a delivery guide for ST0213 include?▼
The KSB Planner delivery guide includes plain-English KSB interpretations, EPA preparation guidance, delivery risk analysis, on/off-the-job mapping, employer engagement strategies, and more — all tailored to ST0213.
Data sourced from Skills England. KSB Planner delivery guides are an interpretation and planning aid based on official published source material — not an official regulator-issued document.