Work At The Cutting Edge

8 October 2007

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

As anyone who has ever had a bad haircut or poorly applied colour treatment will attest, a truly great hairdresser is a treasure. In terms of client loyalty, hairdressers are up there with dentists and doctors.

For the past couple of years, hairdressing has been listed as an occupation of ongoing national labour shortage.

For this reason, many intending immigrants see hairdressing qualifications as an efficient and cost-effective path to permanent residence and employment in Australia.

The reasons for the shortage, industry professionals say, are poor pay rates for apprentices and long working hours - which are evident in other trades where apprenticeship drop-out rates are about 60 per cent.

Hairdressing hopefuls can find a large variety of courses available - from basic qualifications to extra short courses in specialist areas such as colour or bridal hairstyling.

"There are three different ways individuals can become hairdressers - three-year apprenticeship, Certificate II in Hairdressing (pre-apprenticeship) plus two-year apprenticeship or Certificate III in Hairdressing," says Luella Charles, communications officer at the Carrick Institute of Education.

Students typically have a mix of theory and practical classes, practising on dummies and fellow students before working on members of the public, in the institute's education salon.

For those seeking the best path into the industry, the Certificate III in Hairdressing - a 40-week program costing $13,000 - has the essential skills, experience and training, Charles says.

"Students receive comprehensive training in all areas, ranging from retail and communications skills, to cutting, styling, colouring, straightening and perming hair," she says.

The Certificate IV is an additional 10 weeks ($3250) and provides students with salon-specific human resources skills and training in a supervisory role.

Want to take it even further? The Diploma of Hairdressing (Salon Management) is an additional 40 weeks to the Certificate III program ($11,000) and aims to equip students with the managerial skills to successfully operate their own salon.

"The course is perfect for hairdressers who want additional skills to run their own business or who want to gain a more senior position in the salon," Charles says.

In response to the deregulation of the industry, TAFE NSW's Sydney Institute has developed a partnership with international hairdressers Toni & Guy, to set up the Toni & Guy Academy, allowing apprentices to study full-time while gaining practical experience in salons. There are three courses - Certificate III and IV in Hairdressing and the Diploma of Salon Management.

Other Sydney courses include: Venus Hairdressing College; Pivot Point International Academy; Australian Hair and Beauty College; Australian Institute of Commerce and Language; Global College; and Sydney International College of Business.

Style never goes out of fashion

Sheldon Boger isn't your average hairdressing apprentice. At 40, Boger - a former fashion stylist - started his Certificate III in Hairdressing at the Carrick Institute in January and spends his afternoons working at a Balmain salon, Locks. At the end of the 40-week program, in December, Boger hopes to explore other short-course options to specialise in colour.

"Because of my age, I had been thinking about retraining," he says. "I wanted a career that I could do until I was much older. Fashion styling wasn't it."

Boger aspires to study at Vidal Sassoon and land a job at a top Sydney salon - once he completes his initial studies. "I want to make hairdressing an artform," he says.

Returning to study has been a great experience for Boger. "I have absolutely loved it. People think that hairdressing is just an easy, fluffy job but there is a lot of hard scientific work involved - learning about mixing colour and the structure of hair. For me, it's been really great being around young people too."


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