How it works

Students enrolled in Gateway spend one day per week (for a minimum of 10 weeks) doing work experience in a barbershop, beauty therapy clinic or hair salon. This time can be spread throughout the school year or completed during term breaks.

HITO provide students with a training manual that they are required to complete with the help of their workplace trainer. The manual contains written assignments and practical tasks that must be verified by the trainer.

Once a student has completed a unit, the Gateway Co-ordinator emails a copy to HITO for assessment. HITO will send the school a Confirmation of Achievement and register results with NZQA.

Finding a placement

Gateway students will need a work placement to complete the full programme. 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.

Get started

Ready to get your students into a Gateway programme? Enrolling a student is easy:

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 Gateway programme

We’ll send you all the necessary training materials for your student to start their Gateway placement. Your students will then work through the units contained in the training material and complete a mix of theory and practical units – all with the help of their workplace trainer/supervisor.

Units

All units in the workplace-based Gateway Programme are Level 2.

Hairdressing

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.

21940 Demonstrate knowledge of workplace requirements for employment in salon (5 credits)

28025 Demonstrate knowledge of the client journey in a salon (2 credits)

21938 Converse and interact with clients and operators in a salon environment (3 credits)

21937 Assist an operator in a salon environment (4 credits)

9953 Provide client service and care in a hairdressing or barbering salon (4 credits)

28026 Present a personal fashion image for work in a hairdressing salon environment (3 credits)

Barbering

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.

21940 Demonstrate knowledge of workplace requirements for employment in salon (5 credits)

28025 Demonstrate knowledge of the client journey in a salon (2 credits)

21938 Converse and interact with clients and operators in a salon environment (3 credits)

21935 Maintain order and supplies in a hairdressing or barbering salon environment (5 credits)

19808 Select and maintain barbering tools and equipment (4 credits)

21936 Protect the client for hairdressing services in a salon environment (1 credit)

Beauty therapy

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.

21940 Demonstrate knowledge of workplace requirements for employment in salon (5 credits)

28025 Demonstrate knowledge of the client journey in a salon (2 credits)

27639 Apply knowledge of basic beauty concepts to maintain personal presentation for a commercial beauty salon (3 credits)

21938 Converse and interact with clients and operators in a salon environment (5 credits)

27637 Maintain order and supplies for a commercial beauty salon (4 credits)

27638 Provide client service and care and assist the operator to prepare for service in a beauty salon environment (3 credits)

Theory programmes

In response to an increased demand from schools for digital learning materials during COVID-19 restrictions, we have introduced two theory-only Gateway programmes.

The theory programme at Level 2 has a hairdressing and general workplace focus, while Level 3 has a beauty and general workplace focus. These programmes give students the opportunity to earn NCEA credits and learn about our industries without completing physical work placements.

Forms

Apprenticeships

Ready to get qualified and start your career? Why not become an apprentice? You don’t need any prior experience or qualifications – just a great attitude, awesome style, and a willingness to learn.

Apprentices work and train in a real barbering, beauty, or hair business with a qualified trainer. They get paid, work in a real job, and get an internationally respected qualification. And the best part? Apprentices don’t come out the other end with a massive student loan.

HITO offer apprenticeships in barbering, beauty therapy, and hairdressing.

 Apprentices get paid to train

 Apprentices start their career from day one

 Apprenticeships are hands-on

 Apprentices only pay $30 per week to train

 Apprentices don’t need a student loan

 Apprentices get an internationally respected qualification

 Apprenticeships are flexible

 Apprentices receive full support from HITO

Barbering

Barbering apprentices learn on the job but also attend training outside work for a few days a year.

Barbering apprentices usually start cutting hair quite quickly. They learn about wet shaving, beard shaping, cutting and blow-drying hair. A barbering apprentice works to achieve their New Zealand Certificate in Commercial Barbering Level 4.

Beauty therapy

Beauty therapy apprentices learn about manicure, pedicure, waxing, facials, spray tanning, and more. They learn everything on the job and get fully qualified in all areas of beauty therapy. Apprentices gain the New Zealand Certificate in Beauty Therapy Level 4.

Hairdressing

A hairdressing apprentice works and trains with a qualified trainer in a salon. They also attend training outside work for the first three years. Apprentices start out with basic skills like customer service, then move onto learn more advanced skills including cutting, colouring, perming, and styling skills. A hairdressing apprentice gains their New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Professional Stylist) Level 4.