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Hair, Wigs, Makeup & Prosthetics Technician

Hair, Wigs, Makeup & Prosthetics Technicians are skilled specialists who design, create, and apply hairpieces, makeup, and prosthetics for a variety of artistic and performance settings. These technicians play a vital role in transforming performers and bringing characters to life across diverse creative industries. 

They are employed by film and television production companies, theaters, fashion houses, special effects studios, theme parks, and other entertainment venues. The work of Hair, Wigs, Makeup & Prosthetics Technicians contributes to enhancing visual storytelling, supporting artistic expression, and ensuring authentic and memorable performances. 

Typical Job Roles:
  • Makeup Artist
  • Wig Technician
  • Prosthetics Artist
  • Special Effects Makeup Artist
  • Theatrical Hair and Makeup Designer
Duration
18 months
Level
3
What you need to apply
  • Right to work in the UK
  • Lived in the UK for the past 3 years
  • A grade of 4/C GCSE (or equivalent) in Maths and English
  • Not previously studied the course content at the same or higher level
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Career Progression

Marketing Executive
Level 4
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Marketing Manager
Level 6
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After completing your Level 4, you will be a working professional. To further develop you can do another apprenticeship to gain new knowledge and skills in the industry. 

Career Progression

After completing your Level 3, you will be a working professional. To further develop you can do another apprenticeship to gain new knowledge and skills in the industry. 

Marketing Executive
Level 4
Learn more
Marketing Manager
Level 6
Coming Soon

Course Overview

The Apprenticeship

Topics and Qualifications:

Throughout the 15 month qualification there are 16 topics, these will change sequence for every apprentice and their placement. These topics will include:

01
Introduction to wigs hair and makeup

An introduction to the training or apprenticeship program.

02
Introduction to the portfolio

Identifying and applying time management techniques to help structure tasks.

03
The wigs hair and makeup department

Production types and different departments in theatre.

04
Health and safety

Health and safety legilsation, contraindications and allergic reactions.

05
History of hair through the centuries

History of hair through the centuries and different research methods.

06
Influences on design

Influences such as age / race / gender / show style.

07
Tools used in wigs and hair

Tools used in wigs and how to use them.

08
Hair techniques and their application

Learning hair techniques and their application.

09
Knotting techniques and their application

Learning different knotting techniques and where to apply them.

10
Wefts, wigs and their uses

Wefts, pressure boiling and storage

11
Makeup techniques and their application

Makeup techniques for screen and stage.

12
Airbrush techniques and their application

Types of airbursh products and safety requirements.

13
Casting techniques and their application

Life casting including silicone and tools used.

14
Prosthetics and special effects makeup

Wound application and removal, different types of stage blood.

15
Working with and preparing your model

Head / face block preparation.

16
Character design techniques

How to create detailed designs and how to store these.

17
Introduction to EPA

Introduction to End Point Assessment.

18
Finalising the portfolio and interview techniques

Finishing portfolio projects and preparing for interviews.

19
Day 1 Prep

Preparing for EPA.

20
Day 2 Prep

Preparing for EPA.

Projects

There are a range of projects and assignments that will be set by the development coach for the learner to complete, they will use their “off the job” time to complete these. We want to keep encouraging managers to be involved in guiding these projects, which will make sure that the learning achieved is of greater value for the company and the learner. As it’s a tailored course they are kept quite open and fluid. Here are examples of the types of projects we have.

Working in Theatre

In this project, you will learn about the different roles and departments in theatre and how they intertwine. This is to prepare you to work on live performances, shadow staff members and eventually work independently backstage.

Wig Design & Creation

This project will require you to research different wig designs for theatrical characters. You will combine your knowledge in wig-making and facial hair knotting to design, create and fit a wig for production.

Character Creation for Performance

In this project, you will work on a live performance in the theatre you are based. You will be required to research, design and complete a character for performance including makeup and wig/hair.

Timeline

Months 1-4
  • Preparing for your apprenticeship
  • Preparing for your Employer
  • Off-the-Job Training
  • Seminars
  • Topics
Months 5-8
  • Off-the-Job Training
  • Topics
Months 9-15
  • Off-the-Job Training
  • Projects
Months 15-18
  • Off-the-Job Training
  • Gateway and End Point Assessment Preparation
  • End Point Assessment

End point Assessment

The End-Point Assessment is done in the final part of the apprenticeship and is how the apprentice is judged of their learning. There are two elements to the End Point Assessment.

The Hair, Wigs, Make-Up and Prosthetics Technician End Point Assessment (EPA) involves the following: 

  • Assessment Method One:
    Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence 
  • Assessment Method Two:
    Practical assessment with questioning
Fast Track
your success
Earn a salary
Develop understandings from experts
Learn in real world scenario’s
Gain a Recognised Certificate

Start your career today

If you’re ready to go further, become an apprentice.

Vacancies

Training

Apprentices learn the skills they need on the job with the guidance of a development coach who is an expert in the industry. You’ll finish your apprenticeship with a recognised qualification, valuable industry experience, money, and substantial opportunities for promotion.

Apprentices learn the skills they need on the job with the guidance of a development coach who is an expert from industry. You’ll finish your apprenticeship with a recognised qualification, valuable industry experience, money, and substantial opportunities for promotion.

  • Centre based/Online learning
  • Work based training
  • One to one

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