Occupational Qualification · H1
Hairdresser
- NQF Level
- NQF Level 4
- Credits
- 540
- Duration
- —
- SAQA ID
- 102497
Official QCTO Registry Profile
Source: SAQA / QCTO registry- SAQA ID
- 102497
- Min Credits
- 540
- Registered
- 2018-07-01
- Re-registration
- 2025-12-30
- Field
- Field 11 - Services
- Sub-field
- Personal Care
Sample Asset Preview





Overview & Scope
Programme Profile
- Target Designation
- Certified Hairdresser Practitioner
- Competency Focus
- Master specialised practical applications, safety criteria, and regulatory mandates required of a qualified Hairdresser.
- Academic Weight
- Full national recognition at NQF Level 4 yielding 540 credits upon successful PoE verification.
- Work Opportunities
- Deployment across As a qualified hairdresser, you can find employment opportunities in Manufacturing, Engineering, Trades (Artisan). Your skills will be in demand across both public and private sectors, and you may also choose to work as an independent contractor or start your own business in this field. operations under NAMB scope.
- Audit Objective
- Bridges operational skills deficits under the governing NAMB quality matrix.
- Value Proposition
- Measurable, legally compliant skills that optimise productivity, satisfy Workplace Skills Plans (WSP), and unlock B-BBEE scorecard weight.
Introduction▾
The Hairdresser is a Occupational Certificate set at NQF Level 4, comprising 540 credits. This qualification has been carefully developed to provide you with the essential knowledge, practical skills, and workplace experience needed to excel in your chosen field. Whether you are starting your career or looking to formalise your existing expertise, this programme offers a structured pathway to competence and recognition.
Purpose▾
The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Hairdresser. A Hairdresser performs hair and scalp treatments, cuts and styles hair and performs chemical hairdressing services in a professional, safe and environmentally responsible manner. A qualified learner will be able to: • Shampoo, condition and treat hair and scalp. • Provide hairstyling services. • Provide hair cutting services. • Apply chemical services to hair. • Maintain professional standards when interacting with clients.
Entry Requirements▾
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • Level 1 with Mathematics.
SAQA Rationale▾
Fully qualified hairdressers with a three-year qualification and who have completed the trade test for hairdressers are in short supply. The original apprenticeship for hairdressers was converted into three one-year learnerships, which means that to be a fully competent hairdresser one has to go through three learnerships at Levels 2, 3 and 4. The result of this has been that candidates may leave when they feel they have enough skills to be employable and do not undergo the trade test. Professional standards in hairdressing have suffered because of this practice. The industry has been highly frustrated in its efforts to access the trade test for persons who are eligible in terms of the past regulatory framework. This resulted in a large number of persons working in the industry who have not been able to achieve recognition as qualified trade persons. This qualification reconceptualises the qualification for hairdressers as a single qualification culminating in a trade test and the recognition of qualified hairdressers as a trade person. Key industry representative bodies, the Afro Hairdressing and Beauty Employers Association of Southern Africa, the Employers' Organisation for Hairdressing, Cosmetology and Beauty industries, and the United Association of South Africa (UASA), a trade union, participated through nominated representatives in the development and verification of this qualification. The Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) providers were represented by a number of persons from campuses who are currently delivering training for hairdressers. Persons seeking a career in the hairdressing industry will benefit from this qualification and will be able to achieve a qualification as a trade person once completed. This occupational curriculum responds to a specific need in the South African labour market to provide a standard for the Hairdresser as a listed trade. Qualified persons will be able to deliver professional services with due regard for personal and environmental safety. This qualification addresses the need for qualified trade persons in Hairdressing. Further specialised areas of learning are still being investigated and will inform the labour market need for further formal qualifications. As with all trades, progressive learning will focus on the achievement of management-related competencies.
Learning Assumed to be in Place & RPL▾
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment: Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • Level 1 with Mathematics.
Exit Level Outcomes▾
- Shampoo, condition and treat hair and scalp.
- Style hair.
- Cut hair.
- Provide chemical colouring hair services.
- Provide chemical reformation hair services.
- Provide professional client services.
Learning Material Included
- Learner Guide (Theory and Knowledge Modules)
- Facilitator Guide
- Workplace Logbook
- Formative and Summative Assessment
- Assessor Guide & Marking Memorandum
- SETA / QCTO Alignment Matrix
- Administrative & Onboarding Pack
- Implementation Plan
Moderator-Ready Curriculum Breakdown
13 modules · 216 creditsTheory, regulatory and safety knowledge. Each row carries the registered module code, NQF level and credit weight used for formative assessment rubric mapping.
- 514101100-KM-016 cr
Introductory studies for Hairdressers
NQF Level 2
- 514101100-KM-0210 cr
Hair and skin
NQF Level 3
- 514101100-KM-036 cr
Shampooing, conditioners and treatment
NQF Level 2
- 514101100-KM-046 cr
Communication and sales
NQF Level 3
- 514101100-KM-0520 cr
Hairstyling
NQF Level 3
- 514101100-KM-0630 cr
Hair Cutting
NQF Level 4
- 514101100-KM-0730 cr
Chemical hair services
NQF Level 4
Qualification 102497 · Curriculum Architecture
Occupational Certificate: Hairdresser · NQF Level 4 (540 Credits)
Three Curriculum Pillars
Knowledge Modules
Classroom & E-Learning
- Facilitated lectures & self-study
- Written question banks
- Formative comprehension checks
Practical Skill Modules
Simulated Line Tasks
- Simulated line tasks
- Observation rubrics
- Structured task sheets
Work Experience Modules
On-the-Job Production
- On-the-job rotation
- Mentor logbooks
- Workplace sign-offs
Evidence & Audit Pipeline
Learner Portfolio of Evidence (PoE)Owner · Candidate▾
Admin & Registration
ID, learner contract, induction pack, POPIA consent.
Knowledge Evidence
Written assessments & question banks — KM-01 to KM-07.
Practical Evidence
Task sheets, observation rubrics, assessor photos.
Workplace Evidence
Logbooks, mentor sign-offs, supervisor letters.
Assessor Master FileOwner · Registered Assessor▾
Assessment Reports
Judgements, learner feedback, remediation agreements, appeals log.
Internal Moderation & Quality FileOwner · Moderator / SDP▾
Moderation Evidence
10% sampling matrix, HACCP/LOTO compliance sheets, SDP sign-off.
Final Accreditation Gateway
Issued by the accredited Skills Development Provider once internal moderation is signed off.
Provider submits declaration + PoE to the Assessment Quality Partner (AQP).
QCTO awards the SAQA-registered certificate on successful EISA outcome.
Audit & Compliance
Evidence & Audit Pipeline
From portfolio assembly to external sign-off — the exact route your evidence travels.
- Step 1
PoE Assembly
Learner evidence, formative records and logbook entries filed against the alignment matrix.
- Step 2
Internal Assessment
Registered assessor judges each KM/PM/WM outcome using the supplied instruments.
- Step 3
Internal Moderation
Sampling and verification of assessor decisions, with remediation loop before submission.
- Step 4
External Moderation
SETA/QCTO desktop audit and certification upload against registered credits.
Broken Standard vs i2Graduates Standard
The measurable delta between improvised material and an audit-ready suite.
Broken Standard
i2Graduates Standard
Curriculum Mapping
Photocopied guides with mismatched outcomes
7 KM + 6 PM + 0 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 4
Assessment Bank
Missing formative and summative assessments
Pre-validated assessment bank per module
Alignment Evidence
No alignment matrix — audit fails
NAMB alignment matrix included
Facilitation
Facilitators improvise Hairdresser delivery
Facilitator scripts + learner activities per credit
Portfolio of Evidence
PoE gaps flagged in moderation
PoE templates that survive external moderation
Pricing & Delivery Tiers
Base licence from R70 000
Digital Master Suite
Editable master files, licensed to your SDP
- Learner Guide, Facilitator Guide & Assessment Suite
- Workplace logbook + alignment matrix (editable)
- Instant digital delivery under institutional licence
- Free minor corrections for 12 months
Turnkey Print & Bound Package
Printed, bound and couriered per learner
- Everything in the Digital Master Suite
- Full-colour print, wire-bound learner packs
- Per-learner PoE folders and dividers
- Nationwide courier with tracked delivery
Full Enterprise Accreditation Bundle
Assets plus accreditation support end-to-end
- Everything in the Print & Bound Package
- Bespoke QMS build mapped to your scope
- Moderation dry-run + written remediation report
- Brand & metadata integration across the suite
Complementary Services
Optional add-ons that harden your accreditation scope before an external audit.
Bespoke QMS Build
We author your Quality Management System — policies, procedures, records, matrices — mapped to your accreditation scope. From R18,500.
Request QuoteModeration Consultation
External moderation dry-run on your PoE + delivery pack. Written report with fixes before your real audit. From R4,900.
Book Moderation SessionThe i2Graduates Quality Guarantee
Every page of this bundle is checked for sequence and structural accuracy — no missing pages, no shortcuts. You get pre-validated assessment instruments ready to survive rigorous compliance moderation, wrapped in a curriculum your facilitators will enjoy teaching.
