Vocational Trainer – Hairdressing

Vocational Trainer – Hairdressing

Permanent, Part Time

£34,668 per annum (full time equivalent)

Location: Basildon

Closing Date: 23rd October 2026

Please note that visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Applicants must have a current, unrestricted right to work in the UK.

This is a part time opportunity working 18.5 hours per week with a pro rata salary of £17,334 per annum.

Help learners develop the skills, confidence and knowledge to progress in the hairdressing and barbering sector

At Adult Community Learning (ACL), we believe learning has the power to transform lives, build confidence and create new opportunities.

We’re looking for a passionate and engaging Vocational Trainer – Hairdressing and Barbering to deliver high-quality teaching, learning and assessment that supports adult learners to develop practical hairdressing and barbering skills, gain industry knowledge and achieve their personal and professional goals.

Whether you’re an experienced tutor or a hairdressing professional looking to move into teaching, we’d love to hear from you.

As part of Essex County Council, ACL is the largest provider of adult learning in Essex, supporting thousands of learners each year to gain qualifications, improve employability and progress into further learning or work.

To read more about our business area, please visit:

Policy, Economy, Investment and Property

What you’ll be doing

You’ll deliver engaging and inclusive learning experiences that develop learners’ hairdressing and barbering knowledge, practical skills and confidence.

You will:

Deliver high-quality teaching, learning and assessment within Hairdressing and Barbering programmes.
Deliver and assess Level 2 and Level 3 Hairdressing qualifications.
Teach practical skills including cutting, colouring, styling, finishing, consultation, client care and salon health and safety.
Deliver barbering units, including men’s cutting, clipper work, beard shaping and grooming techniques where appropriate.
Develop lesson plans, schemes of work and learning resources that meet learner needs, awarding body requirements and industry standards.
Prepare learners for assessment and support them to achieve successful outcomes.
Adapt learning activities to meet individual learner needs and remove barriers to learning.
Contribute to quality improvement activities and maintain up-to-date vocational and industry knowledge.

We’re looking for someone who:

Has substantial experience and expertise within the hairdressing sector.
Holds Level 2 and Level 3 Hairdressing qualifications.
Ideally holds a recognised Barbering qualification and has practical barbering experience.
Is passionate about developing others and helping learners achieve their goals.
Can create engaging and inclusive learning experiences for adults from diverse backgrounds.
Understands how to adapt teaching approaches to meet a variety of learner needs.
Has excellent communication and relationship-building skills.
Is committed to delivering outstanding learner outcomes.

What you’ll bring

Essential

Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications in Hairdressing.
Industry experience within a commercial salon environment.
Experience of teaching, training, coaching or supporting learners.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Commitment to safeguarding, equality, diversity and inclusion.

Desirable

A recognised Barbering qualification and practical barbering experience.
A recognised teaching qualification (AET, CET, DET, PGCE or equivalent), or willingness to work towards one.
Experience delivering accredited Hairdressing and Barbering qualifications.
Experience assessing vocational qualifications and monitoring learner progress.
Knowledge of current industry trends, colouring techniques, cutting methods, barbering trends and salon practices.
Experience delivering adult learning programmes.

If you have strong industry experience and a passion for helping others develop their skills and confidence, we’d love to hear from you.

What to expect:

Our recruitment process is made up of two stages. The first stage is a:

1-hour Micro Teach Presentation, in person, where you’ll have the opportunity to showcase your teaching approach and subject expertise. Successful candidates will then progress to a 1-hour Competency and Behavioural-Based Interview, allowing us to learn more about your experience, skills, and how you align with our values and the requirements of the role.

Why join ACL?

Make a real difference to learners and local communities.
Be part of the largest provider of adult learning in Essex.
Access ongoing professional development and training opportunities.
Join a supportive and collaborative team environment.
Benefit from Essex County Council’s excellent employee benefits package.
Help transform lives through learning.

Ready to inspire the next generation of hairdressing and barbering professionals?

Join ACL and help learners develop the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to achieve their ambitions within the hairdressing and barbering sector.

Apply today and help transform lives through learning.

Why Essex?

As one of the largest and most dynamic UK local authorities, Essex offers a stimulating public service environment. Covering over 1,420 square miles and serving 1.8 million residents, we’re committed to transformational change and delivering better quality at lower cost. Recognised in the top three of the latest IMPOWER index for productivity, we ensure everyone matters in Everyone’s Essex. With flexible working options and a focus on innovation, whether you are looking to develop your career or contribute to the local community, Essex is the ideal place for you.

In March 2026, Greater Essex was accepted on to the devolution priority programme, where we will work towards establishing a Mayoral Combined County Authority. You can read more about these changes, and what this may mean for this role, on our careers site.

Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job. Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments during the process. We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.

Once you’ve secured your role within Essex County Council you will receive many great employee benefits, including support for unpaid carers and flexible working arrangements to accommodate their needs.

At Essex County Council, we value integrity and ethical behaviour. We kindly ask that you embrace our code of conduct and the Nolan principles, including throughout the recruitment process. Your commitment to these standards helps us maintain a positive and respectful workplace for everyone.

As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on the DBS update service please go to https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service

Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities, blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council, please join The Essex Talent Community

If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email ami.fosker@essex.gov.uk

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