Qualifications You Need to Become a Hairdressing Assessor
A hairdressing assessor is critical when it comes to the education of hair and beauty. This is a job that involves guiding and teaching the next generation of hair and beauty professionals. As an assessor, you’ll be assessing the essential skills and knowledge they need. As well as giving them the confidence to enter the workforce. You’ll be an important part of their learning journey, so having the correct qualifications and experience is crucial! Don’t worry, we’re here to take you through the qualifications needed to become a hairdressing assessor.
From academic qualifications to specialised training. We cover it in our guide, making it easier for you to change your career and become an assessor. First, let’s have a look at what a hairdressing assessor is. 
What is a Hairdressing Assessor?
Hairdressing assessors play a vital role in the beauty industry. They’re professionals who evaluate and assess their learner’s knowledge, skills, and behaviours or KSBs for short. Making sure the trainee hairdressers are competent in their role. This is also an individual who has advanced knowledge and skills in the industry. They’d also make sure that industry standards are met, making sure their learners go through their qualifications. As a hairdressing assessor, you’ll have plenty of responsibilities. These may include:
- Evaluation and assessment,
- Providing constructive feedback,
- Ensuring compliance,
- Supporting learners and
- Encouraging professionalism.
Additionally, hairdressing assessors can be mentors and role models for their students. As a hairdressing assessor, you’ll play an important role in maintaining standards in the hair and beauty industry.
What Qualifications do I need?
Qualifications and experience are essential when you decide to become a hairdressing assessor. To begin with, you need academic qualifications. Quite a lot of employers will want you to have a minimum of a Level 2 in Hairdressing or a Level 3 Qualification in Hairdressing. These academic qualifications act as a base for your initial learning and development. Having your basic knowledge and skills down.
Specialised Training
Some hairdressers go on to further their skills by getting a degree or relevant in fields relating to hairstyling processes and industry standards. This can be advanced further by going into specialist training. This training could be for a particular type of treatment. For example, colouring, hair extensions, weaves, perms, scalp treatments, and more. This depends on what you want to be known for as a specialist.
Teaching and Assessment Qualifications
Hairdressing assessors are required by employers to have teaching and assessing qualifications. The Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA) is great if you want to take apprentices through their NVQs. This means you’ll be assessing trainee hairdressers and taking them through the qualifications. The CAVA course will help you become a fully qualified assessor. The Level 3 Award in Education and Training (AET) is when you want to teach or train learners. This could be in further education, small classes, or community learning. Often, both courses go hand in hand and benefit from each other.
On-Going Professional Development
Professional qualifications are required, but it’s good practice to also complete CPD. CPD stands for continuous professional development. This is the process of continuing your skills and knowledge by keeping up-to-date with industry practices and procedures. As well as new teaching and assessment methods. Meaning you can provide a better learning experience for your students. This could be in the form of short courses or long-term courses. Depending on your needs and the desired outcomes you want.
Soft Skills
To be an even better hairdressing assessor, you need to have a variety of soft skills. These soft skills are extremely important, as they will help you succeed in your career. They will also help you create an inclusive and ambitious learning environment for your students. Here are the most important soft skills you can have.
- Communication skills: having effective communication is crucial to both teaching and assessing.
- Attention to detail: You need meticulous attention to detail as a hairdresser, so having that as an assessor is also critical.
- Be patient and supportive: as an assessor, you need to be patient and sympathetic to your learners in order to help them achieve their goals.
- Have effective teaching and assessment abilities: It’s critical to be able to organise and deliver effective classes. As well as use the correct assessment methods.
In Summary
Becoming a hairdressing assessor is like creating a masterpiece. You need a mix of book smarts, hands-on experience, and people skills. We’ve looked at what it takes to thrive in this field, covering the essentials like education, experience, qualifications, and the soft skills that matter.
Whether you’re just getting started or honing your craft, remember that being a hairdressing assessor is about more than just grading. It’s about shaping the future of hairdressing. Your qualifications will help you navigate assessment. Ensuring you not only meet the standards but also inspire your learners. Ready to step into the shoes of a Hairdressing Assessor? Enrol on the CAVA or AET courses to start your journey.
If you have any questions or need advice on what course would be right for you, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us either by phone at 01205 805 155 or by email at training@brooksandkirk.ac.uk. We’d be happy to help you start your new career path as an assessor!
