Habia Skills Survey of the African Caribbean Hair Industry

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Habia

Skills Survey of the African Caribbean

Hair Industry

March 2006

Habia

The Standards Setting Body for hairdressing,

beauty therapy, barbering, African Caribbean hair, nail services and spa Oxford House

Sixth Avenue Sky Business Park Robin Hood Airport

Doncaster DN9 3GG Tel: 0845 2 306080 Fax: 01302 774949 Email: enquires@habia.org Web: www.habia.org

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Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

J:\HABIA\2005 SSDA\Sector Information\African Caribbean\Report V1 Jan 06.doc

March 2006 Page 2 of 66

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

Contents Page Number

Executive Summary 3

Section

1 Introduction 8

1.1 Background to the Project 8

1.2 Methodology 8 2 Results 10 2.1 Respondents 10 2.2 Industry Profile 11 2.2.1 Business Type 11 2.2.2 Technology 14

2.2.3 Interaction with Habia 15

2.3 Employers and their Staff 16

2.3.1 Staff Qualifications 17

2.3.2 Recruitment 19

2.3.3 Staff Training 25

2.4 Services and Skills Gaps 26

2.4.1 African Caribbean Hairdressing Services 26

2.4.2 African Caribbean Barbering Services 29

2.4.3 Hair Extension Services 31

2.4.4 European Hairdressing Services 33

2.4.5 European Barbering Services 35

2.4.6 Other Services 37

2.4.7 General Business Skills 40

3 Conclusion of the Survey 42

4 Comments from the African Caribbean Expert Working Group 45

5 Recommendations for the Future 46

Annex 1 Questionnaire 47

Annex 2 Summary of Comments 62

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Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry Executive Summary

Background to the Project

In 2005, Habia launched a skills survey into the African Caribbean hair industry. The skills survey is designed to provide an overall picture of the industry and allow Habia to plan initiatives that support future growth and raise standards further.

The results will be used to create programmes and initiatives designed to ensure that new recruits have the skills employers require and that training programmes help businesses develop staff to meet client demand.

The first stage of the project was a UK-wide postal survey. The second stage included discussion and confirmation of the results from the postal survey with the African Caribbean Hair Forum.

Methodology

Habia defined the themes for the research and designed a draft questionnaire. The draft questionnaire was tested with the African Caribbean hair forum that represents the views of a representative cross section of the African Caribbean hair industry. Habia then produced the final version of the questionnaire.

The questionnaire was designed using SNAP software and was posted on the Habia website for respondents to complete and submit in November 2005, with a closing date of 16

December 2005.

In addition, the questionnaire was mailed out to a total of 300 African Caribbean hair businesses. Habia staff compiled a database of employers for the mailing of the

questionnaire through research and by drawing on contacts of the Habia African Caribbean Hair Forum. The majority of the salons mailed were concentrated in London and Birmingham. At the closing date in December, the deadline for receipt of the questionnaire was extended until 23 January 2006 to allow follow up calls to be conducted to the mailing contacts. A total of 20 questionnaires were received with a geographical concentration in London and the South East, the North of England and the Midlands and East of England. Sixty-nine per cent of the respondents stated the percentage of turnover from African Caribbean hair services (including barbering and hair extension services) was 80% or above.

The results were then analysed and taken to the Habia African Caribbean Hair Expert

Working Group. The group are an independent set of employers, representatives from further education and manufacturers who are currently involved in the development of National Occupational Standards specifically for African Caribbean Hair.

Habia then proceeded to conduct a more detailed analysis of the data, which forms the basis of the present report.

Results

The main findings from the survey for African Caribbean Hair, discussed and determined to be a reasonable indication of the industry by the African Caribbean Hair Forum, are set out in the tables below.

Those salons that did respond are inevitably over-represented by those that are pro-active regarding training and general business development. This is supported by the comments of the Habia African Caribbean Expert Working Group who considered that the percentages for example, staff holding qualifications, use of technology and Habia awareness, were too high. However, given that even these pro-active salons are suffering inhibited growth from skill

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gaps and shortages, it can be inferred that remaining African Caribbean salons are likely to be either suffering worse difficulties or are happy with their current size and range of activities.

SECTOR PROFILE • 90% single salons

• 5% franchise salons

• 35% mixed African Caribbean Unisex and European Hair

• 81% 4-10 employees

• 89% urban location

BUSINESS GROWTH

• 85% employ the same (55%) or more (30%) staff compared to 12 months ago

• 90% expect to employ the same (20%) or more (70%) staff in the next 12 months

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

• 70% use a computer in their business

• 55% use email in their business

• 40% access websites on the internet

STAFFING AND RECRUITMENT • 74% female staff

• 61% full time staff

• 39% part time staff

• 90% of staff hold a qualification relevant to their job role

• 23% of staff are qualified to S/NVQ Level 3 with African Caribbean options

• Difficulty in recruiting across all job roles except receptionist

• 32% Saturday staff / apprentices and 26% African Caribbean senior stylists are the most sought after vacancies in the previous 12 months

• African Caribbean senior stylists are the most difficult to recruit and most sought after for current vacancies

• Staff turnover 92%

• 36% of staff are aged 16-34

• Most popular recruitment methods are by word of mouth and in the salon

TRAINING

• The majority of job roles participated in training during the past year

• Senior stylists were the most popular job role to undertake training

• Decrease in training next year across some job roles

SERVICES AND SKILLS GAPS

Main African Caribbean hairdressing services currently offered:

• Conditioning treatments and neutralising (both 95%), colouring, relaxing, setting/finger waving and texturising (all 90%)

Main African Caribbean hairdressing skill shortages:

• 60% background knowledge of the skin and hair

• 15% each for plaiting/braiding, locing and cap weaving Main African Caribbean barbering skills shortages:

• 30% creating 2D patterns in hair

• 25% facial treatments including massage Main hair extension skill shortages:

• 25% locing

• 25% wigs

Main European hairdressing skill shortages:

• 25% hair extension services

• 10% retailing European hair products Main European barbering skill shortages:

• 16% facial treatments including massage

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Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

Other skill gaps:

• 30% beauty therapy treatments

• 30% Indian head massage

• 25% artificial nails

• 25% natural nails Business skills gaps:

• 60% understanding government training programmes

• 55% marketing and PR

• 55% understanding employment law

• 50% business planning

• 50% increasing retail skills

ENGAGEMENT WITH HABIA

• 83% aware of Habia prior to completing the survey

• 85% would assist in further research

• 85% would like to receive further information about Habia’s products and services

• 65% preferred contact method is post

Conclusion

The conclusions derived from the skills survey and discussed by the African Caribbean Hair Forum are as follows:

Sector Profile

• This is a sector where the majority of businesses employ between 4 and 10

employees in a mixed African Caribbean unisex and European hair salon in an urban location.

Business Growth

• The industry is apparently buoyant, but continued business growth will be dependent upon an adequate supply of suitably trained and competent staff.

• The survey did not establish the nature of increased client spending: inflation, increased client numbers, or increased spend per capita on core and/or diversified services.

Information Technology

• Although a large number of salons use a computer in running their business only half the respondents use email in their business and fewer access websites on the internet.

Staffing and Recruitment

• The African Caribbean hair industry is female dominated, with more staff in full time employment than part time.

• This sector experiences recruitment difficulties, and staff turnover in the industry is particularly high. The reasons are not identified, e.g. whether people move to other employers, self-employment, or leave the sector altogether.

• African Caribbean senior stylists are the most difficult and in demand job role to recruit.

• The most popular recruitment method was by recommendation using word of mouth and placing an advert in the salon.

Training

• Training was undertaken by all job roles in the previous 12 months and African Caribbean senior stylists were the most common job role to undertake training. There is a variable picture of forecast provision in training across job roles for the

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• Salon assistant is the job role with the largest decrease in training forecast for next year, and junior barbers are the job role with the largest increase in training for next year.

• Management roles have an increase in training planned for next year.

Skills Gaps

• The respondents were asked about skills needs in African Caribbean hair services (including barbering and hair extensions), European hairdressing and barbering, other services and business skills.

• Skills in particular planned for development by the respondents in African Caribbean hair relate to locing, cap weaving, wigs, creating 2 and 3D patterns in hair and facial treatments including face massage (barbering).

• European hairdressing skill gaps focus on retailing products in both areas, hair extension services and facial treatments and massage, which reflects the skill need in African Caribbean barbering.

• Diversification into other services is popular and skills for development are planned to offer general beauty therapy treatments (by a mixture of existing staff and

recruitment) and nails services entirely by recruitment.

• The respondents were interested in developing further knowledge in the background science of the skin and hair and understanding government training programmes.

• Marketing and PR, understanding employment law and business planning are businessskills that need to be raised across the sector.

Engagement with Habia

• Awareness of Habia was good among respondents.

• There is willingness to assist Habia with further research and find out more about Habia products and services.

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Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry Recommendations

From this research and discussion with the Habia African Caribbean Hair Forum and Expert Working Group, it is recommended that Habia consider the following actions:

• Develop a strategy to assist businesses to address the technical and business skills gaps identified, including:

• Review NOS and, where necessary, develop new NOS and qualification structures to ensure skills gaps are covered.

• Source and promote existing NOS and N/SVQ support materials available from Habia and others.

• Investigate the reasons for the high staff turnover. Research should focus on the views of employees, to supplement the views of employers who responded to this survey.

• Ascertain the nature of the staff turnover: what percentage represents staff moving from one employer to another while remaining in the African Caribbean hair industry and what percentage is staff leaving the industry altogether.

• Research whether the recruitment difficulties identified in this project are inhibiting business expansion, in particular with regards to the shortage of African Caribbean senior stylists.

• Carry out more detailed research to establish whether employers offering training experience fewer difficulties with recruitment than employers who do not offer training.

• Investigate the working relationships between centres/colleges and employers in order to:

• Investigate the difficulties in recruitment, in particular African Caribbean senior stylists

• Improve the retention of students on Level 3 courses

• Investigate the destination of students upon qualifying

• To work with industry to develop a glossary to standardise technical terms across the industry.

• Conduct future communications to the industry by post as appropriate.

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Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

1. Introduction

1.1 Background to the Project

Habia is the government-approved standards setting body for African Caribbean hair, hair, beauty, barbering, nails and spa therapy, and creates the standards that form the basis of all qualifications including NVQs, SVQs and Apprenticeships, as well as Codes of Practice.

After consultation with industry during the review of the hairdressing standards in 2004, and due to the growth of the African Caribbean hair industry, separate National Occupational Standards were written for African Caribbean hair for the first time.

In recognition of these standards, Habia set up an African Caribbean Hair Forum of industry professionals in 2005 whose purpose is to advise Habia on areas such as skill issues affecting the industry, Habia projects and initiatives and to provide guidance on what qualifications are needed to meet industry standards.

In 2005, in consultation with the African Caribbean forum, Habia launched its first ever skills survey into the African Caribbean hair industry to collect data from the industry to establish what skills gaps exist, what qualifications and training are needed and the current level of business activity in the sector.

1.2.1 Methodology

Habia defined the themes for the research and designed a draft questionnaire. The draft questionnaire was tested with the African Caribbean Hair Forum that represents the views of a representative cross section of the African Caribbean hair industry. Habia then produced the final version of the questionnaire.

The questionnaire was designed using SNAP software and was posted on the Habia website for respondents to complete and submit in November 2005, with a closing date of 16

December 2005.

In addition, the questionnaire was mailed out to a total of 300 African Caribbean hair businesses. Habia staff compiled a database of employers for the mailing of the

questionnaire through research and by drawing on contacts of the Habia African Caribbean Hair Forum. The majority of the salons mailed were concentrated in London and Birmingham. At the closing date in December the deadline for receipt of the questionnaire was extended until 23 January 2005 to allow follow up calls to be conducted to the mailing contacts. A total of 20 questionnaires were received with a geographical concentration in London and the South East, the North of England and the Midlands and East of England. 69% of the respondents stated the percentage of turnover from African Caribbean hair services (including barbering and hair extension services) was 80% or above.

The results were then analysed and taken to the Habia African Caribbean Hair Expert Working Group for comments. The group are an independent set of employers,

representatives from further education and manufacturers who are currently involved in the development of National Occupational Standards specifically for African Caribbean Hair. Habia then proceeded to conduct a more detailed analysis of the data, which forms the basis of the present report.

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Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

Table 1.2.1 shows the breakdown of responses received.

Table 1.2.1 Sector Number of questionnaires issued Number of questionnaires returned % Response rate African Caribbean 300 20 7%

The main messages analysis and a more detailed analysis of the data form the basis of this report.

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2. Results 2.1 Respondents

Chart 2.1a represents the respondents’ job roles. The majority of the respondents defined themselves as salon owner (88%). Almost all the respondents were in a management role within a salon.

Those stating ‘other’ (12%) defined themselves as:

• Programme co-ordinator for African Caribbean Hair

• Director of Education

Chart 2.1a Job roles

88% 12%

Salon Ow ner Other

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Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry 2.2 Industry Profile

2.2.1 Business type

A total of 20 businesses responded to the questionnaire. The majority of the responses were received from single salon businesses (90%). The ‘other’ response was received from a college.

Of the 20 businesses, the majority of the respondents described their business as a mixed African Caribbean Unisex and European hairdressing salon (35%) depicted by chart 2.2.1b.

Chart 2.2.1a Business type

Franchise business 5% Other 5% Single salon 90%

Chart 2.2.1b Business type

Mixed AC unisex and Euro

35%

Mixed AC and Euro barbers/men's

15%

Mixed AC and Euro ladies 15% AC barbers/mens 5% AC ladies 5% AC unisex salon 20% other 5%

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Chart 2.2.1c illustrates the hair types worked on in the respondent’s business. The majority of the respondents work on African Caribbean, Natural (untreated African Caribbean hair type) and European hair types in their business (72%), with a fairly even split between African Caribbean only and African Caribbean and European hair types.

Chart 2.2.1d shows that the majority of the respondents employ between 4 and 10 staff in their business (81%). When asked how many staff were self-employed (excluding the salon owner) the respondents stated an average of two staff were self-employed within their businesses. Chart 2.2.1d Em ployees 1 to 3 13% 4 to 10 81% 10+ 6%

Chart 2.2.1c Hair types

0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80%

AC, Natural and European

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The majority of the respondents’ businesses are located in an urban environment (89%), chart 2.2.1e.

Chart 2.2.1f shows the geographical split of the respondents. The majority of the respondents were from London and the South East (63%). There were no respondents to the

questionnaire from the South West of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.

Chart 2.2.1e Business locality

Rural 11%

Urban 89%

Chart 2.2.1f Geographical location

Midlands & East 21%

North 16%

London & SE 63%

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2.2.2 Technology

Technology is used in salons in the African Caribbean industry. Over half of the respondents stated that they use a computer (70%) and email (55%) in their business. Accessing websites on the Internet was less popular and the least used method by the respondents (40%), chart 2.2.2a.

Chart 2.2.2a Technology usage as a percentage of the respondents

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Computer Email Websites

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Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry 2.2.3 Interaction with Habia

More respondents had heard of Habia (83%) than has not heard of Habia (17%) prior to completing the questionnaire, chart 2.2.3a. Encouragingly, 85% of the respondents would be willing to join a group of correspondents who would assist Habia with further research, and 85% of the respondents requested further information about Habia products and services.

When asked about their preferred contact methods the respondents stated post (65%) as the most preferred method, followed by telephone (60%), illustrated by chart 2.2.3b.

Chart 2.2.3a Aw areness of Habia as a % of the respondents

Yes 83% No

17%

Chart 2.2.3b Preferred contact m ethod as a % of the respondents

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Post Telephone Email Dow nload from Habia w eb site

Fax

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2.3 Employers and their staff

Of the 107 staff currently employed in salons, the majority are female (74%) as opposed to male (26%). There are more staff in full-time employment (61%) than part-time (39%). Chart 2.3a and Table 2.3b illustrate the breakdown of staff across the different job roles and working hours.

‘Other’ job roles referred to were beauticians by two businesses.

R ec ep_tio nis_ts Sa t s taff_/a pp_s U nq_ua lifie d s tylis_t U nq ua lifie d b arb er Sa lon_A ss_t Jn r s tylis_tJnr barb er Sn r s tylisSn_t r b_arb er Sa lon_M gr Sa lon ow ne_r Male part-time Female part-time 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Nu m b e r

Chart 2.3a Staffing

Table 2.3.b

Male part-time Male full-time Female part-time Female full-time

Receptionists 2 0 5 5

Sat staff /apps 1 1 6 2

Unqualified stylist 1 0 1 1 Unqualified barber 1 1 0 0 Salon Asst 1 2 5 2 Jnr stylist 0 0 4 4 Jnr barber 1 3 0 0 Snr stylist 1 4 9 13 Snr barber 2 1 0 3 Salon Mgr 0 3 1 5 Salon owner 0 3 1 12 Total 10 18 32 47

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2.3.1 Staff Qualifications

A total of 75 (90%) of the 86 staff were reported to hold a qualification relevant to their current job role by employers, depicted by table 2.3.1a. This is a high percentage and indicates a bias from the respondents who are actively involved in education and training and not

representative of the African Caribbean hair sector as a whole.

The most popular qualification currently held by staff is Hairdressing N/SVQ Level 2 or 3 with African Caribbean options or equivalent (46%).

Almost all employees in a technical role held a qualification relevant to their job role depicted by table 2.3.1a.

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Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

March 2006 Page 18 of 66 Table 2.3.1a No relevant quals African Caribbean Manufacturers Training Hairdressing L1 NVQ Hairdressing L1 NVQ with AC options Hairdressing L2 NVQ Hairdressing L2 NVQ with AC options Receptionist 5 (56%) 0 0 0 2 (22%) 1 (11%) Saturday staff /apps 1 (13%) 3 (38%) 1 (13%) 0 2 (25%) 1 (13%) Salon assistant (Level 1) 1 (9%) 1 (9%) 2 (18%) 1 (9%) 3 (27%) 2 (18%) Junior stylist (Level 2) 1 (6%) 1 (6%) 1 (6%) 1 (6%) 3 (18%) 2 (12%) Junior barber (Level 2) 0 0 0 0 0 1 (50%) Senior stylist (Level 3) 0 1 (7%) 0 1 (7%) 2 (13%) 4 (27%) Senior barber (Level 3) 1 (33%) 0 0 0 0 0 Salon manager 0 0 0 0 0 0 Salon owner 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 9 (10%) 6 (7%) 4 (5%) 3 (3%) 12 (14%) 11 (13%)

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The respondents were askedthe following question: ‘If you stated no relevant qualifications, please indicate the average number of years industry experience for an average staff

member’. A total of 86 staff were referred to.

Of the staff not holding a relevant qualification, the majority of staff working in salons have between 15 and 25 years’ experience.

Chart 2.3.1b portrays the results as a % of the respondents.

2.3.2 Recruitment

Employers were confident of increasing employee numbers and industry growth. Chart 2.3.2a represents the responses to the question “Does your business employ more or less staff than one year ago?” Actual numbers had stayed the same or increased over this 12 month period in 85% of businesses (30% more, 55% same) illustrating a positive growth trend.

This positive trend continues. Chart 2.3.2b illustrates that 90% of employers are expecting to employ the same or a higher number of staff in 12 months’ time than were employed at the date of this survey (70% more, 20% same).

Chart 2.3.2a Does your business em ploy m ore or less staff than one year ago? 30% 55% 15% More Same Less

Chart 2.3.1b Years experience of as a % of the respondents

15 to 20 25% 10 to 15 38% 0 to 5 37%

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Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

Chart 2.3.2b Do you expect to em ploy m ore or less staff in one year's tim e com pared to now ?

70% 20% 10% More Same Less

Chart 2.3.2c illustrates the recruitment data as a percentage of the 20 businesses. Difficulty was experienced recruiting across all job roles, except for receptionists.

Saturday staff/apprentices (32%) and African Caribbean senior stylists (26%) are the job roles most sought after by recruiting employers in the previous 12 months.

The most difficulty is experienced when recruiting African Caribbean senior stylists (32%) and African Caribbean junior stylists (26% of businesses experienced difficulty).

Where the percentage difficulty figure exceeds the percentage recruitment figure, it can be assumed that some salons attempted unsuccessfully to recruit staff in this category.

Of the respondents, 24% stated that the most common current vacancies were African Caribbean senior stylists, followed by African Caribbean junior stylists (19%) and African Caribbean salon assistants (14%), as illustrated by Chart 2.3.2d.

Beautician was the job role stated for current vacancies in the ‘Other’ category by two respondents.

Chart 2.3.2c Recruitm ent by salons in the last 12 m onths as a % of the respondents 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 AC ha ir s_nr s_ty list L3 AC ha ir jnr st ylist L2 AC Ha ir s_al on as st L1 Sa lon m gr AC ha ir jnr bar ber L2 Sa t s taf f/a_pps AC ha ir s_nr bar ber L3 Sal_{on ow} ne r R_ec epti on ist % Recruited Difficulty

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Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

Chart 2.3.2d Current vacancies as a % of total vacancies

AC jnr stylist L2 19% Salon ow ner 8% Salon mgr 8% AC snr barber L3 5% AC snr stylist L3 24% AC jnr barber L2 3% Recptionist 11% Sat staff /apprentices 8% AC salon asst L1 14%

Chart 2.3.2e shows the number of vacancies in each job role as a percentage of existing employees in that category.

The high vacancy rate for African Caribbean junior stylists (100%) reflects the difficulty experienced by employers when recruiting for this job role. The most in-demand job role at present is that of African Caribbean junior stylist (100%).

Table 2.3.2f illustrates an overall vacancy rate of 39%, which suggests that employers in the African Caribbean hair industry experience recruitment difficulties.

Chart 2.3.2e Vacancies as a % of existing em ployees

0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% 120% AC jn r s_tyli st L₂ AC sa_lo n a_ss t L₁ Sa lon_m gr AC sn r b arb er _L3 AC sn r s tyli st L₃ R ec_ep tio nis_t Sa tu rda y s taff_{/ a} pp ren_tic es AC jn r b arb er _L2

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Table 2.3.2f

Job Role Number of vacancies

Number of existing employees

Vacancies as a % of existing employees

Receptionist 4 12 33%

Saturday staff / apprentices 3 10 30%

AC salon asst L1 5 10 50% AC jnr stylist L2 7 7 100% AC jnr barber L2 1 4 25% AC snr stylist L3 9 25 36% AC snr barber L3 2 5 40% Salon mgr 3 7 43% Salon owner 3 15 20% Total 37 95 39% (mean)

Employers were asked about the actual numbers of staff recruited in the past year,

subdivided by age group. Chart 2.3.2g and Table 2.3.2h show the variation in the uptake of staff in the different age groups expressed as a percentage of the 98 recruits.

The intake of staff to the industry is fairly young, with the majority of staff (36%) aged between 16 and 34.

There were a total of 98 recruits with a total number of staff of 107, and staff turnover is 92% per annum, which is a very high figure for the sector.

Table 2.3.2h

Chart 2.3.2g Age groups as a % of the total

14-16 3% 55+ 2% 45-54 9% 35-44 30% 24-34 20% 16-24 36%

Age group Number of employees

14-16 3 16-24 35 24-34 20 35-44 29 45-54 9 55+ 2 Total 98

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Chart 2.3.2i and Table 2.3.2j illustrate the breakdown across the age groups and job roles of staff recruited to the businesses.

The majority of staff are currently employed as senior stylists (23%) with the majority of staff employed in the industry aged between 24 and 34.

Table 2.3.2j R_ec ept io nist Sa t st aff_/a pp s U_nqua lified s tylist U nqual ified bar ber Sa lo n A sst Jn r st yli_st Jn_{r b} arb er Snr st yl ist Sn r bar ber Sal on M gr Sa lo n ow ne r 14-1616-24 24-3435-44 45-5455+ 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Nu m b e r

Chart 2.3.2i Age groups of staff

14-16 16-24 24-34 35-44 45-54 55+ Total Receptionist 0 6 1 2 1 0 10 Sat staff/apps 2 7 0 0 0 0 9 Unqualified stylist 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Unqualified barber 0 1 0 0 0 0 1 Salon Asst 1 6 2 0 0 0 9 Jnr stylist 0 6 2 3 0 0 11 Jnr barber 0 3 0 0 0 0 3 Snr stylist 0 5 9 6 3 0 23 Snr barber 0 0 4 2 0 0 6 Salon Mgr 0 0 0 7 3 0 10 Salon owner 0 0 2 9 2 2 15

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The most popular methods used by employers to recruit staff, depicted by chart 2.3.2k, are word of mouth (70%) and placing an advert in the salon (45%).

Advertising in local press and recruitment websites were the least used methods.

Chart 2.3.2k Recruitm ent m ethods

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Wor d o f m out h In the sal on Loc al co llege Adve rtise in trad e pr ess Re crui tmen t ag ency Adve rtise in lo cal p ress Recr uitm ent web site %

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Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry 2.3.3 Staff Training

Employers were asked to state which categories of staff had undertaken training in the last year and those that are expected to undertake training over the next year.

Training was undertaken across all job roles in the past year, with the most common job role to undertake training to be senior stylists (45%).

Chart 2.2.3a shows a mix of an increase and decrease in training across job roles for the forthcoming year.

Management roles in the salon show an increase in training planned for the forthcoming year. Senior stylists, salon assistants and Saturday staff/apprentices show a decrease in training for the forthcoming year, while for those in a receptionist, junior stylist, and senior barber job role, training will remain the same.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 % Sa lon ow ne r Sn r s tyl ist L 3 Sa lon m gt R ec ept ion ist Jn r st yli_st L 2 Sal on as st L 1 Jn r ba rbe r L2 Sn r b_ar ber L3 Sa t s taf f/a_pps Chart 2.2.3a Staff training

Last Year Next Year

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Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

2.4 Services and Skills Gaps

2.4.1 African Caribbean Hairdressing Services

Chart 2.4.1a illustrates the African Caribbean hairdressing services currently offered by the respondents as a percentage of the respondents.

All the respondents offered shampooing and conditioning and cutting of African Caribbean hair in their businesses.

The most popular African Caribbean hairdressing services currently offered by the

respondents are conditioning treatments (95%), neutralising (95%), colouring (90%), relaxing (90%), setting/finger waving (90%) and texturising (90%).

A full list of the ‘other’ services mentioned by respondents can be found in Annex 2.

The respondents were asked to indicate the percentage of their business turnover that came purely from the African Caribbean hair services (including barbering and hair extension services). Sixty-eight percent of the respondents stated their turnover from these services to be 80% or above and 89% of the respondents stated their turnover from these services of 50% or above.

A full list of percentages can be located in Annex 2.

Chart 2.4.1a African Caribbean hair services currently offered

0 20 40 60 80 100 120 Sha m pooi ng & C_ond itioni ng C utti ng C ondi tion ing t re_at m ent s N eut ral ising C ol our ing Re la xin g Per m ing Set ting/ finger w_av ing Te xtu ris_in g Dr ying nat ur al h ai r Fini shi ng H ai r Per sonal gr oo m ing , af ter car e, Re ta iling A C ha ir pr oduc ts Sc_ul pting/ m oul ding gel s tyl es Tra_di tional w ea_vi ng Dr es sing l ong hai r Plai ting / br ai di ng nat ur al h_ai r Pr_es sing and t ongi ng Th erm al sty_lin g /_ir on C or re ctiv_{e c} ol ou ring Co rre ctiv e r ela xing N atu_ra l h air m ana gement Sc alp_m as_sage Loc ing ( nat ur al hai r) C ap w eav in_g %

% of businesses currently offering

Chart 2.4.1b and Table 2.4.1c illustrate the African Caribbean hairdressing services the respondents plan to offer either using existing staff or by recruitment as a percentage of the respondents.

The respondents expressed interest in planning to offer plaiting/braiding natural hair (15%) with all the respondents selecting this service planning to offer this by recruitment.

The respondents also expressed interest in offering locing natural hair (15%) and cap weaving (15%) services. More of the respondents planned to offer these services by recruitment rather than using existing staff.

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Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

Sixty percent of the respondents to the questionnaire expressed that they would like to receive further knowledge about the background of the skin and hair.

Table 2.4.1c

Code

% of businesses planning to offer using existing staff

% of businesses planning to offer by recruitment Total % of businesses with skills gap

Plaiting/braiding natural hair B 0 15 15

Locing (natural hair) D 5 10 15

Cap weaving NC 5 10 15 Corrective colouring D 5 5 10 Scalp massage B 5 5 10 Colouring B+D 0 5 5 Setting/finger waving B+D 0 5 5 Texturising D 0 5 5

Drying natural hair B 0 5 5

Retailing AC hair products B+D 0 5 5

Sculp/mould gel styles D 0 5 5

Trad weaving NC 0 5 5

Pressing & tonging B/NC 5 0 5

Thermal styling / iron D 0 5 5

Corrective relaxing D 5 0 5

Natural hair management NC 0 5 5

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 % Pl ai ting/ br ai di_ng na tur al hai r Loc ing (nat ur al ha ir) C_ap w eav ing Co rrec tive c olou ring Sc alp m as_sage C_ol our ing Se tting/ finger w av ing Te xtu ris_ing D ryi_ng na tur al h ai r R_et ai ling AC hai r pr oduc ts Sc_ul p/moul d gel s tyles Tra_{d w} eav ing Pr_es sing & ton gi ng The rm al _sty lin g /_ir on C_or rec tiv_e rel ax ing N_at ur al hai r mgt

Chart 2.4.1b African Caribbean hair skill gaps as a % of the respondents

% of businesses planning to offer by recruitment

% of businesses planning to offer using existing staff

(28)

Code Description

A L 1 Hairdressing (with AC options)

B L2 Hairdressing (with AC options)

C L2 Barbering (with AC options)

D L3 Hairdressing (with AC options)

E L3 Barbering (with AC options)

(29)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry 2.4.2 African Caribbean barbering services

The respondents were also asked to comment on the African Caribbean barbering services currently offered by their business.

Chart 2.4.2a illustrates the African Caribbean barbering services currently offered as a percentage of all the respondents. The most popular services currently offered are cutting (75%), colouring (65%), relaxing (65%) and neutralising (65%).

Chart 2.4.2b and Table 2.4.2c illustrate the African Caribbean barbering services the respondents plan to offer either using existing staff or by recruitment as a percentage of the respondents.

The respondents expressed the most interest in planning to offer services of creating 2D and 3D designs in hair (both 30%), with an equal split between using existing staff and by

recruitment. Facial treatments including massage (25%) was also a popular service the respondents plan to offer, with more businesses planning to offer this service by recruitment rather than using existing staff to deliver the service.

Chart 2.4.2a African Caribbean barbering

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Cut ting Colour ing Relax ing Neaut ralisi ng Per ming Fad ing and gradua tion Styl ing Scal p mas sage Shav ing & af terc are Reta iling Creat ing 2D des igns Creat ing 3D des igns Faci al tr eat ment s inc mas sage

(30)

Table 2.4.2c

Code Description

NC Not Covered 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 % C re atin g 2_D d es ign s C re atin g 3_D d es ign s Fa cia l in c m as sa ge C olo uri_ng Sh av_in g & a fte rc are R eta ilin g C utt_in g Sty lin g Sc alp m as sa ge R ela xin g N ea utr alis ing Pe_rm in g Fa din g & g_ra du ati_on

Chart 2.4.2b African Caribbean barbering skill gaps as a % of the respondents

Code

% of businesses planning to offer using existing staff % of businesses planning to offer by recruitment Total % of businesses with skills gap

Creating 2D designs E 15 15 30

Creating 3D designs E 15 15 30

Facial inc massage E 5 20 25

Colouring C 10 10 20

Shaving & aftercare E 5 15 20

Retailing C 5 15 20 Cutting C 10 5 15 Styling C 5 10 15 Scalp massage C 10 5 15 Relaxing C 5 5 10 Neautralising C 5 5 10 Perming C 5 5 10

(31)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry 2.4.3 Hair extension services

The respondents were asked to comment on hair extensions they currently offer and plan to offer in their business.

Chart 2.4.3a illustrates the hair extension services currently offered as a percentage of the respondents.

The most popular services were bonding (85%) followed by weaving (80%) and plaits/braids (15%).

A list of ‘other’ African Caribbean hair extension services offered can be found in Annex 2.

Chart 2.4.3b and Table 2.4.3c illustrate the hair extension services that the respondents plan to offer as a percentage of the respondents.

There was an interest from the most respondents in developing further skills in locing (25%, the majority by recruitment) and wigs (25%, the majority by using existing staff).

Locing is the most popular service the respondents plan to offer by recruitment, and wigs are the most popular service the respondents plan to offer using existing staff.

A full list of other services can be found in Annex 2.

Chart 2.4.3a Hair extension services

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Bond ing Wea ving Plai ts/b raid s Loc ing Wigs % % of businesses currently offering hair extension services

(32)

Table 2.4.3c

NC Not Covered

* NB. National Occupational Standards can be downloaded from www.ukstandards.org 0 5 10 15 20 25 %

Locing Wigs Plaits/braids Weaving Bonding

Chart 2.4.3b Hair extension skill gaps as a % of the repondents

% of businesses planning to offer by recruitment % of businesses planning to offer using existing staff

Code

% of businesses planning to offer using existing staff

% of businesses planning to offer by recruitment

Total % of businesses with skills gap

Locing D 10 15 25

Wigs NC 15 10 25

Plaits/braids B 5 10 15

Weaving D 5 5 10

(33)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry 2.4.4 European hairdressing services

The European hair services currently offered by the respondents were investigated and are illustrated by chart 2.4.4a as a percentage of the respondents.

The most popular European hair services currently offered by the respondents are cutting (95%), styling (90%) and conditioning treatments (85%).

A list of other services can be located in Annex 2.

The European hair services the respondents plan to offer are illustrated by chart 2.4.4b and Table 2.4.4c.

Hair extensions are the most popular service the respondents plan to offer (25%) with the majority of the respondents planning to offer this service using existing staff. The next most popular service the respondents plan to offer is retailing (10%) with an even split between using existing staff and by recruitment.

The respondents plan to offer colouring, relaxing, perming and neutralising, all by recruitment of staff.

Chart 2.4.4a European hair services currently offered as a % of the respondents 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Cutt ing Styl ing Condi tion ing treat ment s Colour ing Rela xing Perm ing Ret aling Neut ralisi ng Hair ex tens ions % % of businesses currently offering European hairdressing services

(34)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

Table 2.4.4c

NC Not Covered 0 5 10 15 20 25 % H air _ex ten sio ns R eta ilin g C olo urin g R ela xin g Pe_rm ing N eu_tra lisi_ng

Chart 2.4.4b European hair services skill gaps as a % of the respondents

Code % of businesses planning to offer using existing staff % of businesses planning to offer by recruitment Total % of businesses with skills gap

Hair extensions D 15 10 25 Retailing B+D 5 5 10 Colouring B+D 0 5 5 Relaxing B+D 0 5 5 Perming B+D 0 5 5 Neutralising B+D 0 5 5

(35)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry 2.4.5. European barbering services

The respondents were also asked to comment on the European barbering services currently offered by their business.

Chart 2.4.5a illustrates the European barbering services currently offered as a percentage of the respondents.

The most popular services currently offered are cutting (68%) and colouring (58%), followed by relaxing (53%) and neutralising (53%).

The European barbering services the respondents plan to offer are illustrated by chart 2.4.5b and Table 2.4.5c.

All the services the respondents are planning to offer are by recruitment. The most popular services the respondents are planning to offer are facial treatments and massage (16%) and retailing of European hair products (11%).

Chart 2.4.5a European barbering services currently offered as a % of the respondents 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 Cut ting Col our ing Relax ing Neut ralisi ng Per ming Styl ing Reta iling Shav ing & afte rcar e Faci al tr eat s & mas sage %

% of businesses currently offering European barbering services

(36)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

Table 2.4.5c

NC Not Covered 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 % Fa cial_tr eat s & m as sage R_et ai ling C_ut ting C_ol our ing R_el ax ing N eut ral ising Pe rm ing Sty

ling Shav_{ing &} af

te rc_ar

e

Chart 2.4.5b European barbering skill gaps as a % of the respondents

% of businesses planning to offer by recruitment Code % of businesses planning to offer using existing staff % of businesses planning to offer by recruitment Total % of businesses with skills gap

Facial treats & massage E 0 16 16

Retailing C 0 11 11 Cutting C 0 5 5 Colouring C 0 5 5 Relaxing C 0 5 5 Neutralising C 0 5 5 Perming C 0 5 5 Styling C+E 0 5 5

(37)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry 2.4.6 Other Services

Chart 2.4.6a illustrates the ‘Other Services’ currently offered as a percentage of the respondents.

The most popular services were hairdressing European hair (80%) and European barbering (50%).

Other than hair services, nail services were the most common other service offered, with 35% of the respondents offering natural nails and 30% offering artificial nail services.

‘Other’ services currently offered that were mentioned by the respondents were:

• eyelash extensions

• eyebrow shaping

Chart 2.4.6a Other services currently offered as a % of the respondents

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 Hai rdre ssing Europea n hai r Barb ering Eur opean hai r Natur al n ail s ervi ces Artif icial nai ls Beau ty th erap y Indi an Head Mas sage % % of businesses currently offering

(38)

Chart 2.4.6b and Table 2.4.6c illustrate how respondents plan to offer other services as a percentage of the respondents.

There was an interest from the most respondents in developing further skills in beauty therapy (30%) and Indian head massage (30%), with the majority of the respondents planning to offer these services by recruitment.

25% of the respondents also plan to offer artificial nail services (25%) and natural nail services (25%) entirely by recruitment.

The respondents plan to recruit staff to offer the majority of other services mentioned except for hairdressing European hair.

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 % B ea uty_th era_p y In dia n h ea_d m as sa ge A rtif_ic ia l n ail_se rv_ic es N atu ra l n ail_se rv_ic es B ar_be rin g E ur_op ea_n h air H air_dr es sin g E ur_op ea n h air

Chart 2.4.6b Other services skill gaps as a % of the respondents

Table 2.4.6c Code % of businesses planning to offer using existing staff % of businesses planning to offer by recruitment Total % of businesses with skills gap Beauty therapy * 5 25 30

Indian head massage G 10 20 30

Artificial nail services ** 0 25 25

Natural nail services *** 0 25 25

Barbering European hair C+E 5 10 15

Hairdressing European

(39)

*Habia Beauty Therapy National Occupational Standards (NOS) Levels 1, 2, 3 **Habia Beauty Therapy National Occupational Standards (NOS) Level 2 and Nail Services Level 2

*** Habia Beauty Therapy National Occupational Standards (NOS) Level 3 and Nail Services Level 3

(40)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

2.4.7 General Business Skills

The final skill area investigated was general business skills. This section was used to cover non-technical skills identified by the African Caribbean Hair Forum. The respondents were asked to select from a list those skills that they would benefit from receiving more knowledge about to improve their businesses operation and profitability.

Chart 2.4.7a expresses the results as a percentage of the respondents.

The respondents were most interested in increasing their knowledge in the background knowledge of skin and hair and understanding government training programmes (60%). Business skill needs the respondents are interested in receiving further information about are marketing and PR and understanding employment law (both 55%) and business planning, improving client care and increasing retail sales (all 50%).

Chart 2.4.7a Business skill gaps as a % of the respondents

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

Understanding government training programmes Marketing & PR Understanding employment law

Business planning Improving client care Increasing retail sales Hygiene Health & safety Security of premises and staff safety Understanding personnel practice Information technology Reception

(41)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry Table 2.4.7b Skills gap Number of businesses with gap % of businesses with gap Understanding government training programmes 12 60 Marketing & PR 11 55 Understanding employment law 11 55 Business planning 10 50

Improving client care 10 50

Increasing retail sales 10 50

Hygiene 9 45

Health & safety 8 40

Security of premises

and staff safety 7 35

Understanding

personnel practice 7 35

Information technology 6 30

Reception 6 30

(42)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

3. Conclusion of the Survey

The main findings from the skills survey are set out in table format below. The conclusions derived from the survey follow each section.

SECTOR PROFILE • 90% single salons

• 5% franchise salons

• 35% mixed African Caribbean Unisex and European Hair

• 81% 4-10 employees

• 11% rural location

This is a sector where businesses employing between 4 and 10 employees in a mixed African Caribbean unisex and European hair salon in an urban location dominate.

BUSINESS GROWTH

• 85% employ the same (55%) or more (30%) staff over the last 12 months

• 90% expect to employ the same (20%) or more (70%) staff in the next 12 months

The industry is apparently buoyant, but continued business growth will be dependent upon an adequate supply of suitably trained and competent staff.

The survey did not establish the nature of increased client spending: inflation, increased client numbers, or increased spend per capita on core and/or diversified services.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

• 70% use a computer in their business

• 55% use email in their business

• 40% access website on the internet

Although a large number of salons use a computer in running their business only half the respondents use email in their business and fewer access websites on the internet.

STAFFING AND RECRUITMENT • 74% female staff

• 61% ful- time staff

• 39% par- time staff

• 90% of staff hold a qualification relevant to their job role

• 23% of staff are qualified to S/NVQ Level 3 with African Caribbean options

• Difficulty in recruiting across all job roles except receptionist

• 32% Saturday staff / apprentices and 26% African Caribbean senior stylists are the most sought after vacancies in the previous 12 months

• African Caribbean senior stylists are the most difficult to recruit and most sought after for current vacancies

• Staff turnover 92%

• 36% of staff are aged 16-34

• Most popular recruitment methods are by word of mouth and adverts in the salon

The African Caribbean Hair industry is female dominated, with more staff in full-time employment than part-time.

There are high levels of staff holding a qualification relevant to their job role, with the majority of staff qualified to S/NVQ Level 3 with African Caribbean options.

This sector experiences recruitment difficulties and staff turnover in the industry is particularly high. The reasons are not identified, e.g. whether people move to other employers, self-employment, or leave the sector altogether.

(43)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

The most popular recruitment method was by recommendation using word of mouth and advertising in the salon.

TRAINING

• The majority of job roles participated in training during the past year

• Senior stylists were the most popular job role to undertake training

• Decrease in training next year across some job roles

Training was undertaken by all job roles in the previous 12 months and African Caribbean senior stylists were the most popular job role to undertake training. There is a mixture of an increase and decrease in training across job roles for the forthcoming 12 months.

Salon assistant is the job role with the largest decrease in training planned for next year and junior barbers are the job role with the largest increase in training for next year.

Management roles have an increase in training planned for next year.

SERVICES AND SKILLS GAPS

Main African Caribbean hairdressing services currently offered

• Conditioning treatments and neutralising (both 95%), colouring, relaxing, setting/finger waving and texturising (all 90%)

Main African Caribbean hairdressing skill shortages:

• 60% background knowledge of the skin and hair

• 15% each for plaiting /braiding, locing and cap weaving Main African Caribbean barbering skills shortages:

• 25% facial treatments including massage Main hair extension skill shortages:

• 25% locing

• 25% wigs

Main European hairdressing skill shortages:

• 25% hair extension services

• 10% retailing European hair products Main European barbering skill shortages:

• 16% facial treatments including massage

• 11% retailing European barbering products Other skill gaps

• 30% beauty therapy treatments

• 30% Indian head massage

• 25% artificial nails

• 25% natural nails Business skills gaps:

• 60% understanding government training programmes

• 55% marketing and PR

• 55% understanding employment law

• 50% business planning

• 50% increasing retail skills

The respondents were asked about skills needs in African Caribbean hair services (including barbering and hair extensions), European hairdressing and barbering, other services and business skills.

(44)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

Skills in particular planned for development by the respondents in African Caribbean hair relate to locing, cap weaving, wigs, creating 2D and 3D patterns in hair and facial treatments including face massage (barbering).

European hairdressing skill gaps focus on retailing products in both areas, hair extension services and facial treatments and massage, which reflects the skill need in African Caribbean barbering.

Diversification into other services is popular and skills for development are planned to offer general beauty therapy treatments (a mixture of existing staff and by recruitment) and nails services entirely by recruitment.

The respondents were interested in developing further knowledge in the background science of the skin and hair and understanding government training programmes.

Marketing and PR, understanding employment law and business planning are businessskills that need to be raised across the sector.

ENGAGEMENT WITH HABIA

• 83% aware of Habia prior to completing the survey

• 85% would assist in further research

• 85% would like to receive further information about Habia’s products and services

• 65% preferred contact method is post

Awareness of Habia is good in the sector.

There is willing to assist Habia with further research and find out more about how Habia products and services.

(45)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

4. Comments received from the African Caribbean Expert Working Group

The Habia African Caribbean Expert Working Group commented on the results of the survey. The group are an independent set of 12 industry representatives comprising employers, representatives from further education and manufacturers who are currently involved in the development of National Occupational Standards specifically for African Caribbean Hair, prior to industry consultation. Most are also members of the Habia African Caribbean Hair Forum. Comments made by the group focused on the areas below:

• There may have been confusion surrounding the interpretation by the respondents of technical terms, for example, wigs can be referred to as weaves.

• The number of staff holding a qualification is high at 90%, and a figure of 60% is more likely.

• The use of technology by businesses was deemed too high with 70% of the respondents stating that they use a computer in their business. It was commented that the figure was more likely to be in the region of 15%.

• The number of those aware of Habia in the industry is too high at 83% and it was suggested that 20% of the industry are aware of Habia. It was suggested that Habia work to raise their profile in the industry.

• Almost all salons are currently single salon businesses employing less than four employees, and the figure of 5% franchise salons is too high. The group commented on an emerging trend towards second salon openings.

• It was agreed that it is unlikely that 23% of staff are qualified to Level 3. The comment was made that staff prefer on-the-job training in the salon at Level 2 instead of progression to Level 3.

• It was agreed that staff turnover is high in the industry.

• The decrease in training was commented on, and it was suggested that employers may be reluctant to invest in training due to the high staff turnover. It was also stated that training courses specific to African Caribbean hair are rare.

• The skill gaps and shortages for African Caribbean hair, European hair, hair extensions and other services were agreed to be representative of the industry and the National Occupational Standards work of the group. It was raised that the skill gaps expressed for creating 2D and 3D patterns in hair (African Caribbean barbering) were misleading as it was felt that this is carried out to a high standard in the industry and this may be more of a skill shortage.

(46)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

5. Recommendations for the Future

From this research and discussion with the Habia African Caribbean Hair Forum and Expert Working Group, it is recommended that Habia consider the following actions:

• Develop a strategy to assist businesses to address the technical and business skills gaps identified, including:

• Review NOS, and where necessary develop new NOS and qualification structures to ensure skills gaps are covered.

• Source and promote existing NOS and N/SVQ support materials available from Habia and others.

• Investigate the reasons for the high staff turnover. Research should focus on the views of employees, to supplement the views of employers who responded to this survey.

• Ascertain the nature of the staff turnover: what percentage represents staff moving from one employer to another while remaining in the African Caribbean hair industry and what percentage is staff leaving the industry altogether.

• Research whether the recruitment difficulties identified in this project are inhibiting business expansion, in particular with regards to the shortage of African

Caribbean senior stylists.

• Carry out more detailed research to establish whether employers offering training experience fewer difficulties with recruitment than employers who do not offer training.

• Investigate the working relationships between centres/colleges and employers in order to:

• Investigate the difficulties in recruitment, in particular African Caribbean senior stylists

• Improve the retention of students on Level 3 courses

• Investigate the destination of students upon qualifying.

• To work with industry to develop a glossary to standardise technical terms across the industry.

• Conduct future communications to the industry by post as appropriate.

(47)

Habia Skills Survey for the African Caribbean Hair Industry

Annex 1 Questionnaire

Do you need help recruiting the right staff? Getting the right people for the right job can be difficult and disheartening. What's more, skills shortages can have serious implications for your business. To contribute to your industry it's in your interest to complete and return this questionnaire to Habia by 16 December 2005 to express your views.

Habia is conducting a skills survey to establish what skills gaps exist in the African Caribbean hairdressing and barbering industries, what qualifications and training are needed and the current range of business activity.

As well as giving an overall picture, the results will be used to influence government programmes to provide new recruits with the skills employers require and to help businesses develop their staff to meet client demand.

Habia is registered under the Data Protection Act and your replies are strictly confidential.

You will also be entered into the prize draw to win one of our fantastic prizes: Products from Avalon to the value of £300, a basket of professional products from Soft Sheen Carson and a 12 month subscription to Black Beauty and Hair Magazine.

Q1 Indicate your business type - tick one box that best describes your business

Single salon business

...

Franchise business

...

One of a group or chain of salons

...

Q2 Tick the box that best describes your business- tick one box African Caribbean unisex salon

...

African Caribbean ladies hairdressing salon

.

African Caribbean barbers/men's

hairdressing salon

...

Mixed African Caribbean and European

ladies hairdressing salon

...

Mixed African Caribbean and European

barbers/men's hairdressing salon

...

Mixed African Caribbean unisex and

European hairdressing salon

...

Q3 Where is the main location of your business? - tick one box England - London & South East

...

England - Midlands and East

...

England - North

...

England - South West

...

Northern Ireland

...

Scotland

...

Wales

...

Q4 Indicate the hair types you work with in your business - tick all appropriate

African Caribbean hair

...

Natural hair

...

European hair

...

(48)

Q5 Indicate the African Caribbean

HAIRDRESSING services offered by your business and the skills your business plans to offer to meet client demand.

Currently of