Full-time course · BTEC Entry Level 1 Certificate in Work Skills
Beauty, Enterprise & Professional Skills Programme
A different kind of Level 1 programme for young people who are ready to discover what they can do. Beauty, enterprise and professional skills, learned by doing, in a small supportive group.
About the course
Level Up is designed for young people who might need more time, smaller groups, practical learning and the right people around them before taking their next step.
You don’t need to know exactly what career you want. You don’t need previous beauty experience. And you don’t need to learn in the same way as everyone else.
Come as you are. We’ll help you discover what’s next.
Being creative is where we start.
Your future could be in beauty
Is it for you?
See it for yourself
Short clips from inside the academy. Tap a video to play.
Professional development educator
The programme in action
A look back at the year
The story of the academy and our trainees
Our trainees’ first ever photo shoot
Why enrol
Everything on Level Up is learned by doing, in a small group, with the right support around you.
Create beauty and wellbeing products from start to finish.
Build teamwork, communication and workplace skills.
Design, photograph and market your own ideas.
Learn retail, displays, customer service and money skills.
Explore careers, try new things and find your strengths.
Build confidence, independence and get ready for your next step.
What’s included
Develop a product idea, make a simple beauty or wellbeing product, package it and present it.
Packing, labelling, stock organisation, quality control, workplace routines and working with others.
Create a Calm & Care mini-range using structured, sensory-friendly activities.
Product displays, customer service, product matching and simple money skills.
Create posters, product cards, price lists and simple product photography.
Build a skills passport, practise interviews and explore suitable jobs and career pathways.
Beyond the modules
Discover your future. Explore careers, build your CV and skills passport, practise interviews and discover what you’re good at.
Support that works for you
Maths and English are included where required and are tailored to each learner’s starting point and individual needs.
Wellbeing & SEN support
Ben founded Activ8tion after years on the frontline in schools, care settings and community spaces, watching young people fall through the gaps of systems that were not built for them. Living with ADHD himself, Ben has a rare ability to reach young people who feel unseen, misunderstood or written off. That lived experience, 14 years of frontline practice and a BSc in Child and Youth Practice shaped The Power of 8, a personal development and wellbeing framework built in the real world with real young people.
We believe a healthy artist creates their best work. Our wellbeing training focuses on mental health, stress management, confidence building and resilience, so learners enter the industry grounded, confident and prepared.
Meet Buddy
Starting somewhere new can feel like a big step. Buddy, our therapy dog, is here to make Level Up feel a little more welcoming: a calm and friendly presence when you arrive, a quiet moment when you need some space, or simply a familiar face around the academy.
Not a dog person? That’s absolutely fine. Time with Buddy is always optional. We consider each learner’s preferences, fears, allergies, sensory needs and individual support requirements.
Progression
Learners could progress towards:
Progress onto an appropriate Level 1 or Level 2 vocational course when ready.
Entry-level opportunities with the skills and confidence developed on the programme.
Additional workplace support for learners who need it.
A structured workplace experience for eligible learners.
Further training and opportunities within the creative industries.
Customer-facing, merchandising and retail support roles.
Packing, labelling, stock, product assembly and quality-control roles.
Introductory pathways into product photography, social media and creative content.
Developing ideas, products and entrepreneurial skills.
Building further confidence and workplace experience.
The communication, confidence, routines and life skills needed for adulthood.
That’s fine. Get in touch and we’ll talk through what’s right for you.
Founder & CEO
Co-founder, Level Up
Meet the founders
“I wanted to create Level Up because I believe every young person deserves the chance to discover what they’re good at, build confidence and feel excited about their future. Not everyone is ready for a traditional college environment, and that shouldn’t limit their opportunities. I wanted to create a place where young people can learn at their own pace, feel supported, try new things and develop real skills for work and adult life. Level Up is about seeing the person first: their strengths, their potential and where they want to go next.”
Danielle Everitt, Founder & CEO, Final Checks Academy CIC
Key facts
We prefer trainees to have the following, but it is not compulsory. If you’re unsure, get in touch and we’ll talk it through.
| Programme title | BTEC Entry Level 1 Certificate in Work Skills |
|---|---|
| Awarding body | BTEC (Pearson) |
| Duration | 1 year, September to July |
| Delivery days | Two days a week (Tuesday and Thursday) |
| Start date | September (to be confirmed) |
| Fees | Funded for 16 to 18 year olds and EHCP learners |
| Age | Minimum 16 years old |
| Education | No formal qualifications required, but a basic level of literacy and numeracy is essential |
| Maths & English | Included where required and tailored to each learner’s starting point |
| Passion & commitment | Demonstrated interest in makeup and hair styling through a personal statement or interview |
| Portfolio | Not required |
| Probation period | All trainees complete a six-week probation period on starting, to ensure commitment and suitability for the programme |
| Finance information | Payment plans, funding and bursaries are explained on our finance information for long-term courses page. |
Apply
Ready to start? Enrol today, or complete a referral form if you’re a parent, carer, school or support worker referring a young person.
Funding support
ScreenSkills funding is available for shorter courses only, offering bursaries to help support training in the screen industries. If you are eligible, it can cover a large part of the cost of a short course with us.
£2,000bursaries available towards eligible short courses
New looks, backstage moments, student work and course dates, posted every week. Come and see what our trainees are creating.
Newsletter
New course dates, open days, bursary news and the best of our trainees’ work, straight to your inbox. No spam, just the good stuff.
We only email when there is something worth telling you about, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
An industry-led makeup and hair academy in Dagenham, East London. Endorsed by BAFTA and ScreenSkills, with guaranteed paid work experience for every graduate.
