Review finds that hair and beauty qualifications in Wales are meeting the needs of learners
Qualifications Wales has completed a review of post-16 vocational qualifications in hair and beauty, identifying strengths as well as some areas that require attention.
This is part of a programme of focussed reviews, covering a range of vocational sectors, that are designed to identify key themes and strengthen provision to support learners, providers and employers.
The review of the hair and beauty sector involved interviews with a wide range of stakeholders and survey responses from learners across the country, finding that the range of qualifications at levels 1, 2 and 3 is generally sufficient to meet the needs of learners and employers.
Responses from the learner survey indicated that 91% of learners found the qualifications they are studying to be interesting and engaging.
Key findings
Qualification range - Wales currently offers 98 designated hair and beauty qualifications at level 3 and below. Most providers felt the range was sufficient and accessible to all learners. Learners also told us that they find the qualifications interesting and engaging.
Demand for aesthetics - There is high demand for level 4 aesthetic qualifications, such as microneedling and chemical peels. Providers want these included in apprenticeship frameworks to better reflect industry needs.
Welsh-medium provision - While 56 qualifications are available in Welsh, there is a shortage of teaching resources and online assessments in Cymraeg.
Assessment challenges - Learners and providers raised concerns about the use of complex language in some online multiple-choice test questions, and the lack of parity between assessment volumes in hairdressing and beauty qualifications.
Entrepreneurship and self-employment - With many learners aiming to become self-employed, stakeholders recommended including business and social media marketing content in qualifications to better prepare learners for real-world challenges.
Inclusivity and representation - Employers praised efforts to include textured hair training as part of the content in hairdressing qualifications and highlighted the importance of inclusive content to support diverse learners and clients.
Next steps
Whilst our review of Hair and Beauty qualifications in Wales identified many strengths, we also identified some areas that require our attention.
We uncovered that there is demand for more level 4 aesthetic qualifications, therefore we have explored the designation of aesthetic qualifications in Wales with relevant awarding bodies. Representatives from VTCT told us they are in the process of offering additional aesthetic qualifications.
Discussions with awarding bodies have also taken place about increasing the availability of online multiple-choice tests in Cymraeg. They have confirmed that they are addressing this, with bilingual online tests expected by September 2026.
We have also discussed developing content to support entrepreneurship and self-employment. Awarding bodies have confirmed that they have relevant qualifications that could be added to the programme of learning to support learners into self-employment.
Vicki Stockton, Qualifications Manager at Qualifications Wales said:
"This sector plays a vital role in our communities and local economies. We’re committed to ensuring qualifications remain relevant, inclusive, and accessible.”
“Providing young people with access to a range of quality qualifications in this area is significant to support them to develop careers in this industry.”
“Through our sector review, we’ve worked with awarding bodies and other stakeholders to address the issues that we identified, including making sure that online tests are available bilingually. We have asked awarding bodies to review and simplify the language used in online tests. Additionally, we’ve worked with stakeholders to support them to deliver training on type 4, textured hair. Awarding bodies clarified that training on textured hair can be simulated using practice heads, improving accessibility and inclusivity.”
“The actions we’ve outlined in response to this review will help learners progress and succeed in a rapidly changing industry. We will continue to work with stakeholders to help embed the full findings of the review.”