HITO Schools Gateway Programmes

Careers in the beauty, barbering and hairdressing industries promise real opportunity, excitement and diversity. HITO’s Gateway programme is a great way for secondary school students to experience first-hand what it’s like to work in these industries.

HITO offers three work-based programmes and four theory-only programmes.

Work-based programmes

Level Credits Cost (incl.GST)
Hairdressing 2 22 $475
Beauty Therapy 2 20 $475
Barbering 2 20 $475

Students enrolled in work-based programmes spend time in a salon, clinic or barbershop learning practical skills to support the theory workbooks. 

Theory-only programmes

Level Credits Cost (incl.GST)
Hairdressing 2 22 $475
Hairdressing and Beauty 2, 3 20 $475
Hairdressing Reduced Credit 2 9 $250
Beauty Reduced Credit 3 10 $250

No work placement is required for these programmes.

How it works

Step 1: Register with HITO

  • Contact us to register one or more of your students for a Gateway programme.
  • We’ll send the appropriate enrolment forms out to you along with a Memorandum of Understanding. You and your students will need to complete these and return them to us via email: support@hito.org.nz.
  • Arrange payment from your school.

Step 2: Find a placement

  • Contact local businesses or other schools in your area. They may either be willing to take on a student or know of a workplace that will.
  • A business must have a qualified staff member who can supervise the student. This doesn’t have to be the owner.
  • Our Sales and Training Advisors may be able to assist if they know of an employer seeking a Gateway student.
  • If a student already has a placement organised, that’s great – it means they’re ready to get started.

Step 3: Start the programme

  • We’ll send you all the necessary training materials for your student to start their Gateway placement.
  • Students work through the unit workbooks and assessments. Practical units need to be verified by a qualified professional in the workplace.
  • When a student completes a unit, the school’s Gateway coordinator should send a copy to HITO for marking.
  • An assessor marks the unit.
  • When the student has passed, HITO will register the unit with NZQA.
  • HITO will send your school a Confirmation of Achievement.

Units

Hairdressing – work-based
Hairdressing Gateway students learn a variety of practical skills within the salon environment, including communicating with customers and preparing salon equipment, which are supported by additional theory.

Unit Level Credits
Practical
21938 Converse and interact with clients and operators in a salon environment 2 3
21937 Assist an operator in a salon environment 2 4
21935 Maintain order and supplies in a hairdressing or barbering salon environment 2 5
28026 Present a personal fashion image for work in a hairdressing salon environment 2 3
Theory
21940 Demonstrate knowledge of workplace requirements for employment in salon 2 5
28025 Demonstrate knowledge of the client journey in a salon 2 2
Total 22

Barbering – work-based
Barbering Gateway students learn how to assist with a variety of basic barbering tasks and how to be a productive barbershop employee. Their practical learning is supported by theory.

Unit Level Credits
Practical
21938 Converse and interact with clients and operators in a salon environment 2 3
21935 Maintain order and supplies in a hairdressing or barbering salon environment 2 5
19808 Select and maintain barbering tools and equipment 2 4
21936 Protect the client for hairdressing services in a salon environment 2 1
Theory
21940 Demonstrate knowledge of workplace requirements for employment in salon 2 5
28025 Demonstrate knowledge of the client journey in a salon 2 2
Total 20

Beauty therapy – work-based
Beauty therapy Gateway students learn a variety of basic beauty skills, including maintaining stock, assisting senior operators, and presenting themselves suitably in the workplace. Students spend time in the clinic learning practical skills which are supported by additional theory.

Unit Level Credits
Practical
21938 Converse and interact with clients and operators in a salon environment 2 3
27637 Maintain order and supplies for a commercial beauty salon 2 4
27638 Provide client service and care and assist the operator to prepare for service in a beauty salon environment 2 3
27639 Apply knowledge of basic beauty concepts to maintain personal presentation for a commercial beauty salon 2 3
Theory
21940 Demonstrate knowledge of workplace requirements for employment in salon 2 5
28025 Demonstrate knowledge of the client journey in a salon 2 2
Total 20

Hairdressing – theory

Unit Level Credits
28025 Demonstrate knowledge of the client journey in a salon 2 2
2891 Demonstrate knowledge of hair fashion over time 2 5
2873 Demonstrate knowledge of trichology 2 8
25439 Demonstrate knowledge of sustainability concepts for a salon 2 2
21940 Demonstrate knowledge of workplace requirements for employment in salon 2 5
Total 22

Hairdressing and Beauty – theory

Unit Level Credits
27644 Demonstrate knowledge of makeup and design theory 3 4
28844 Demonstrate knowledge of professional behaviour and legal requirements for a salon 3 3
27645 Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and functions of the face, and of facial skin types and conditions 3 6
2891 Demonstrate knowledge of hair fashion over time 2 5
25439 Demonstrate knowledge of sustainability concepts for a salon 2 2
Total 20

Hairdressing – reduced credit theory

Unit Level Credits
28025 Demonstrate knowledge of the client journey in a salon 2 2
2891 Demonstrate knowledge of hair fashion over time 2 5
25439 Demonstrate knowledge of sustainability concepts for a salon 2 2
Total 9

Beauty Therapy – reduced credit theory

Unit Level Credits
27644 Demonstrate knowledge of makeup and design theory 3 4
27645 Demonstrate knowledge of the structure and functions of the face, and of facial skin types and conditions 3 6
Total 10

Forms

Schools – Download the Memorandum of Understanding for the HITO Schools Gateway Programme from our Resources page. You need to fill out one form per school.

Students –  Download the Student Enrolment Form for the 2021 HITO Schools Gateway Programme from our Resources page. You need to fill out one form per student.

Resources

Got a question? Visit our FAQ page or contact HITO on (04) 499 1180 or support@hito.org.nz.

FAQs

Apprenticeships

If your student has enjoyed their Gateway programme, an apprenticeship could be their next step.

Apprenticeships are the smart choice for young people who want a recognised tertiary qualification in the hair and beauty industry.

Students can start an apprenticeship straight from school, or any time during the school year, from the age of 16.

Find out more about hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy apprenticeships.

HITO