Gateway is a work experience programme for secondary school students thinking about a future career in hair.
Students spend up to two days a week in a salon, learning skills and undertaking specifically designed HITO unit standards that can be credited towards NCEA.
The Gateway unit standards can be used towards gaining the National Certificate in Salon Support. This is generally achievable at the end of your first year of a hairdressing apprenticeship.
The time spent in real life learning will give you an opportunity to decide if hairdressing is the right career choice for you.
HITO provides the school with information and resources for the student and verifier.
Benefits to You
- Gain first-hand experience in hairdressing and workplace training without a full time commitment of employment.
- Participating in a “real” work setting, learning the values and expectations required.
- Develop a relationship with HITO that will help if a hairdressing apprenticeship is undertaken later.
- Develop mentors within the industry who can support and encourage your career development.
This opportunity also comes with some responsibilities:
- Do your best while in the salon
- Represent your school in a positive manner while out in the community
- Respect your employer by agreeing to listen and following all instructions
- Use all tools and equipment in a safe and responsible manner.
- Behave in such a way that neither the you nor other people are put at risk by your actions.
- Keep yourself up to speed with the lessons missed while out on placement
- Keep records of the work undertaken while on work experience or working towards the achievement of unit standards detailed in the training plan.
- Achieving a positive learning outcome is what it is all about and that will only happen if you are committed.
You need to be pro-active in your learning, so:
- Ask questions
- Keep up with your training plan
- Record your collection of evidence
- Initiate assessment when appropriate
- Cluster units to make assessment as productive as possible
- Work on the unit standards that are assignment based over a period of time so that you can present them well. Do not rush them at the last moment.
- Familiarise yourself with the requirements of the practical unit standards so you are fully aware of what is expected of you in work placement.
- Encourage friends and family to come as clients to the salon so you can have plenty of opportunity to collect evidence. (Refer to Collection of Evidence sheet.)
- Show initiative by looking for jobs that need to be done or working on a mannequin if there is a quiet time in the salon.
Your school and HITO are there to support you. If you have any concerns you should raise them with your school liaison person in the first instance. It is always best to deal with any situations as soon as possible.
All students who participate in the Hairdressing Gateway Programme receive a certificate showing their unit standard achievement.
For further information on this programme talk with your Gateway Co-ordinator, School Careers Advisor or call Amanda at the Hairdressing ITO on 04 499 1180 or email at
“The HITO Gateway Programme has helped me in many ways. I was able to experience first hand what it would be like in the hairdressing industry. The HITO Gateway Programme has helped me make my decision for 2010. I would like to be part of the Hairdressing Industry and gain an apprenticeship, working towards the National Qualification” Mary Cressey – Gateway Student
