Dear Employer / Manager,

The Irish barbering sector is a vibrant and creative sector that is highly visible, creating meaningful employment and delivering a sought-after service in an area of high demand. Yet from an educational perspective, the point of entry into the sector is not catered for by a National Barbering Apprenticeship program that offers a qualification that is mapped to the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ).

The Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation (HABIC), Image Skillnet, Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board, the Barber Society of Ireland, and various other industry stakeholders have come together to form a consortium to investigate the potential for the development of a new National Barbering Apprenticeship. (You can read more about this on Page 2).

To strengthen this application we need your help!  We are asking employers to take 10 minutes to air their views on this subject, to get a true national reflection of the needs and demands of the sector.

The survey asks 12 questions. All are relevant to establishing the need, demand and long-term viability of a National Barbering Apprenticeship program. Therefore, we kindly ask that you complete all sections.

All responses will be held in the strictest confidence and used only to demonstrate industry support and strengthen the apprenticeship application.

Thank you for taking the time to complete this industry survey.

Margaret O’Rourke Doherty
Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation - HABIC

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* 1. What is your position within the salon?

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* 2. Please outline the number of barbershops you own or manage?

 
I own or manage 

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* 3. Do you currently employ staff within your shop? Please outline your staffing numbers below.

 
What is the TOTAL number of staff currently employed in the business?
How many senior barbers are currently employed in the business?
How many junior barbers are currently employed in the business?
How many trainee barbers are currently employed in the business?

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* 4. If you employ trainee barbers, please detail how long your CURRENT trainee barbers spend training before they are deemed qualified?

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* 5. Do you feel there is a need for a National Barbering Apprenticeship?

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* 6. Please rate and describe your level of satisfaction with the current level of education and training within the barbering sector. Please include details within the comment section below.

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* 7. Please outline which time duration you feel will work best for both employer and the apprentice to enable the delivery of the required learning outcomes for the apprenticeship.

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* 8. The proposed level of qualification for a National Barbering Apprenticeship is Level 6 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). 
In your opinion, what level of qualification do you feel is most suitable to award someone who has successfully completed a barbering apprenticeship? (for reference a Leaving Cert Applied is a Level 4, and a Leaving Certificate is a Level 5).

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* 9. Please identify your willingness to partake in a National Barbering Apprenticeship as detailed in the introduction section of this survey.

  YES NO
Would you be willing to engage with a National Barbering Apprenticeship?
Would you be willing to sign up to a National Apprenticeship Code?
Would you be willing to cover the apprentice's wage both on and off-the-job?
Would you be willing to release the apprentice for the off-the-job training?
Would you be willing to mentor and support apprentices employed in your shop?
Would you be willing to partake in a training day for employers in order to meet the required learning outcomes.

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* 10. As an employer, your input into the curriculum for the National Barbering Apprenticeship is vital, and it is a direct reflection of the needs of the industry. The curriculum is proposed to be modular in design.

The modules that are proposed to be included are as follows:

Communication and customer service.
Safe working practices.
Client consultation.
Shampoo, condition and treatment of the hair and scalp.
Cutting using scissors and clipper techniques.
Advanced cutting techniques.
Styling and finishing.
Cutting and grooming of facial hair.
Shaving skills.
Shop operations and awareness.
Personal development and professional etiquette.
Retail knowledge and skills.

Please outline any other areas or suggestions that you feel are relevant to the module design.

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* 11. In terms of delivery of the off-the-job training (i.e. in the college), please outline which options you feel will work best for both employer and apprentice to deliver the required learning outcomes for the apprentice.

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* 12. If you have any additional information, comments or suggestions please outline them in the comment section below.

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* 13. If you would like to be kept informed of any information relating to the National Barbering Apprenticeship then please complete your information below.

T