HITO offers a range of qualifications to suit every level of hairdressing,from after school work to salon management. Listed below is an outline of each qualification. Click on the headings to get more detailed information.

GATEWAY Programme

This is a basic introduction to the hairdressing industry for students still at school. There are a number of unit standards that can be achieved and is a great stepping stone for everyone who would like to follow a career inthe hairdressing or barbering industry.

The National Certificate in Salon Support

This is an introductory qualification to the hairdressing industry. It will enable you to provide basic hairdressing services under the supervision of a senior stylist. You will also learn about customer service, product sales and reception. This qualification can lead to the National Certificate in Hairdressing (Professional Stylist).

The National Certificate in Barbering

This will teach you how to cut hair using barbering techniques, wet shave and cut facial hair, and also how to find out what a customer wants and decide how to achieve this. This qualification can lead to the National Certificate in Barbering or Hairdressing (Professional Stylist).

The National Certificate in Hairdressing (Professional Stylist)

This recognises people who have demonstrated competence in the knowledge and skills required by industry to practice hairdressing. Holders of this qualification will be able to run an efficient columnin a professional hairdressing salon. This qualification can lead to the National Certificate in Hairdressing Management.

The National Certificate in Hairdressing Managementwith strands in Assessment of Hairdressing, Tutoring in Hairdressingand Salon Management (includes the Limited Credit Programme)

This provides the skills and knowledge required for management or training in the hairdressing industry. It also gives hairdressers the opportunity to specialise in areas such as Workplace Assessment, Tutoring or Salon Management.

Qualification by Experience

HITO offers the Qualification by Experience (QbyE) programme which allows people with industry experience to have their hairdressing or barbering experience evaluated towards gaining a National Qualification with the support of HITO.