27 April 2020

This update covers the latest information about apprenticeships; new measures to protect commercial rent payers; and a reminder to ignore media speculation about re-opening.

Apprentices cannot do practical observation online

Some employers have been asking if their hair/beauty apprentices can take the practical observation element of the end point assessment online.

However, it has been agreed by the end point assessment organisations that this cannot be done online and must wait until current social distancing restrictions are lifted. This will ensure the apprentice can safely progress to providing services to the public.

The full statement agreed by the end point assessment organisations can be found on their websites:

Updated apprenticeship guidance

The government is committed to supporting the continuation of apprenticeships during this difficult time and has published updated guidance for apprentices, employers and all those involved in delivering apprenticeships. Find out more.

Free apprenticeship resources from VTCT

The awarding and assessment organisation VTCT is offering free access to its Pivot Point LAB platform for 90 days.

The LAB platform offers extensive e-learning resources on hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy including step-by-step guides, videos, e-books, presentations and quizzes. Find out more.

The government has stated that furloughed apprentices can continue their training as long as it does not provide services to or generate revenue for their employer. However, please note: if furloughed apprentices do training at the request of their employer, they must be paid the National Minimum Wage for the hours they spend training.

Apprenticeships: have your say

The NHBF is working with ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency) to gather employers’ views about apprenticeships during the coronavirus outbreak. Find out more and take part in the survey.

More protection for commercial rent payers

The government has taken steps to protect commercial rent payers from aggressive debt recovery tactics being used by some landlords. (28 April 2020 update: our understanding is that this currently applies in England and Wales).

Where a business cannot pay rent due to coronavirus, there is now a temporary ban on:

  • Statutory demands (made between 1 March and 30 June 2020).
  • Winding up petitions (presented from 27 April to 30 June 2020).

The government is also calling on tenants to pay rent or part of their rent if they can as commercial landlords are also under financial pressure. Find out more.

NHBF rejects re-opening speculation

The NHBF is advising salon and barbershop owners to ignore media speculation about when they can re-open as the government has not yet made any decisions about this. The NHBF is urging the government to allow salons and barbershops to re-open only when it is safe to do so.

See all updates