The government has announced that it will not be introducing the Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy (HBBT) T Level to the hair sector and will not be pursuing hair or barbering specialisms in future T Levels. 

In a move welcomed by the National Hair & Beauty Federation, the government made the decision following feedback from employers in hairdressing and barbering. They have argued that the best route for learners into their industry is through completion of an existing apprenticeship, or through a Level 2 classroom-based provision that will get them into the salon faster than a two-year Level 3 programme. 

The decision not to roll out the HBBT T Level will also mean that, from September 2024, there will also be no T Level Foundation Year for the hair and beauty route.  

However, in beauty, the sector told the government that a good quality Level 3 classroom-based progression route is desirable. Therefore, the government has announced it will explore introducing a T Level which focuses on the beauty sector, with an emphasis on science, with an expectation that this could be introduced after 2025.  

Level 2 will continue as planned with the development of technical qualifications which are aligned to relevant standards in hair and beauty and will provide a classroom-based alternative to the apprenticeship. These technical qualifications would be available for teaching from September 2026.  

The NHBF has been informed that while there will be a development in technical qualifications against relevant hairdressing standards at Level 3 this area will not be reformed until at least 2027. In the meantime, the Department for Education will continue to fund existing qualifications, which means that learners can continue to be enrolled on to existing provision.  

Caroline Larissey, NHBF chief executive, said: “Following several meetings, where we outlined the concerns of our Members, we are pleased that the Minister has listened and taken on board our recommendations to support our sector, by focusing on a Beauty T Level and no longer introducing a combined Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy T Level.”  

“Employers from hair salons and barbershops will always prefer that a prospective employee should enter the sector via a “job ready” route or qualification, such as an apprenticeship or through an equivalent college-based Level 2 qualification.” 

The government says it is taking steps to raise standards and funding for apprenticeships to ensure high quality training provision, working with hair employers to potentially improve assessment for the Level 2 Hair Professional apprenticeship, which, together with the funding uplift, aims to increase quality and completion rates. 

There was a 57 per cent funding uplift for the Level 2 Hairdressing Professional standard (from £7,000 to £11,000) last year, with a 28 per cent funding uplift for the Level 2 Barbering apprenticeship (from £7,000 to £9,000).  

Alongside this, it is also working with employers via the Hair Professional Apprenticeship Steering group, supported by the NHBF, to review the Level 3 Advanced and Creative Hair Professional Occupational Standard and apprenticeship. This review will ensure that the apprenticeship continues to meet employer needs, and supports progression from Level 2, ensuring hair professionals can build lasting careers in the sector. 

The update follows the Secretary of State for Education’s announcement in March 2023 of the decision to delay the delivery of the Hairdressing, Barbering and Beauty Therapy (HBBT) T Level to September 2024. It had originally been slated to start in September 2024.