A range of new courses aims to address the growing shortage of hairdressers, writes Claire Halliday.

FIONA'S Art of Hair has again achieved success on a national scale thanks to two of its hairdressers.

The recent handwringing over the dearth of apprentice chefs is hardly news to other professions which have been suffering a longstanding shortage.

THE recent hand-wringing over the dearth of apprentice chefs is hardly news to other professions such as hairdressing, which have been suffering a similar long-standing crisis. Maybe there are even some parallels between these "glamour" jobs that create unrealistic expectations for aspirants.

... Bricklayers, Metal fitters, Welders, Toolmakers, Sheet metal workers, Motor mechanics, Electricians, Auto electricians, Carpenters, Panel beaters, Hairdressers, Vehicle painters, Plasterers, Furniture upholsterers, Child-care workers, Registered nurses, Plumbers. It's so hard to get a good tradesman these days. That lament is not just common, it's true, writes Paul Robinson.