In a bid to meet the needs of the UK’s diverse community, all new hairdressers will have to learn how to work with Black hair as part of their training.
In the recent review of the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for hairdressing, afro and textured hair have now been included into one cutting and styling practice standard for all hair types.
At current, many qualifications in hairdressing don’t require trainees to be educated on afro and textured hair. This means that many people who go on to work in the industry are unable to style afro hair, leaving Black people as a largely uncatered demographic.
Awarding organisations will now have to align their curriculums with the new and updated terms of the NOS so that trainees experience working with Black hair.
Helena Grzesk, Chief Operating Officer at the British Beauty Council – who worked closely with the Hair & Beauty Industry Authority {Habia) to support the revised NOS – said: “We share Habia’s belief that the hair and beauty industry can and should be truly inclusive. But until now, tens of thousands of hairdressers have no qualifications in cutting and styling Afro and textured hair.
“We have supported the industry and Habia, ever since we launched in 2018, for the standards to reflect and represent the diverse range of hair types and textures of clients across the hair and beauty sector.
“Our aim is to amplify and celebrate the voices of all the communities the industry serves to ensure each and every one of us feels seen, heard, valued and excited to engage with the beauty industry.”
Joan Scott, chair of Habia says: “The change to the standards is not just about hair – it is about having the knowledge to treat anybody that walks through the door be it with life issues, disability or hair style.
“But cutting and styling different hair types was such a key part of the review. Afro and textured hair is now embedded, with all hair types, within one national practice standard and going forward will just be part of what hairdressers do.”
[Image by Okrasiuk via Shutterstock]