Apprenticeship training course

Hair, wigs, make-up and prosthetics technician (level 3)

Uphold a high standard of hygiene and technical application for productions/performances across a range of artists, periods and cultures.

• Qualification level: 3 ; Equivalent to A level.
• Typical duration: 24 months
• Apprenticeship category: Creative and design
• Maximum funding: £14,000 ; Maximum amount government will fund ; for apprenticeship training.
• Also known as:
  • hair stylist
  • make-up artist/technician
  • prosthetic technician/artist
  • special effects technician
  • wig-maker
  • wigs/hair artist/technician
• Skills:
  Skills an apprentice will learn

  • Use research to establish exact make-up, hair, wigs, facial and prosthetics requirements of the Supervisor/ Designer/Director to meet requirements
  • Produce a detailed plan for the make-up/hair/wigs/facial/prosthetics to meet the Supervisor/Designer/Director requirements to include:Tools and materials, Health and Safety Legislation, Regulations, policies and procedures including Risk Assessments, hygiene standards, data protection, Environmental Legislation impact, Impact on and requirements of other departments, design notes, reference sheets and photographs to ensure consistency and continuity, the requirements of the preparatory stages, rehearsals and actual performance/production, timescales
  • Choose and apply make-up to meet the design requirements
  • Undertake colour assessment in order to apply body and facial make-up
  • Prepare and maintain equipment including cleaning and storage after use
  • Monitor and touch-up make-up to ensure continuity for the duration of the performance/production
  • Explain what to do if an allergic reaction to make-up occurs
  • Remove make-up in accordance with hygiene requirements, dispose of materials in accordance with process requirements
  • Store make-up removal products, tools and equipment in accordance with process requirements
  • Prepare hair for wig, hair piece, switch, weft, facial making including assessing/selecting according to texture, type, length, colour/shade, pre-blend/mix as drawn, colouring or root shading as required
  • Pre-curl hair as required
  • Store hair, wigs, hair pieces, switches, weft, facial hair in accordance with requirements
  • Take head wraps including measurements, face wraps, creating head/face blocks and making foundations to meet design requirements
  • Knot facial hair, wigs and hair pieces using a knotting direction template/instructions to meet design requirements
  • Make weft pieces and switches to meet design requirements
  • Make alterations and repairs to wigs
  • Cut, colour, set, dress-out and style hair: set and dress-out wigs or hair pieces and cut and dress-out facial hair to meet design requirements
  • Create prosthetics including bald caps, body parts, wounds and blemishes
  • Apply prosthetics ensuring fit and comfort, blending edges and colouring
  • Explain what to do if an allergic reaction to prosthetics occurs
  • Remove prosthetics in accordance with health and safety requirements
  • Create and fit injuries to meet design requirements
  • Apply stage bloods to meet design requirements
  • Monitor spend/use of resources and highlight under/overspend/use in accordance with agreed process
  • Develop a personal work plan to identify potential periods of peak workloads

Full information on Hair, wigs, make-up and prosthetics technician (level 3) is available from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

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