Hairstylists & Barbers

Description

Do you like people? Strangers? People with "hair issues"? And you say you love to talk? Step right this way.

Hairstylists and barbers are the saviours of bad hair, or hair that needs to be cut, trimmed or styled. They make it their business to give their customers the look they want. That's their job. And if you have the gift of gab it helps: you'll have hours and hours to entertain your customers.

Do you have to be an Olympic athlete to cut and style hair? No. But you have to have energy, endurance and a good pair of Olympic-type shoes. (You'll be on your feet for eight hours a day hunched over clients' heads.)

It's also important that you are courteous and considerate. You have to be able to communicate effectively with your clients. You don't want to give them a bowl cut if they just want their bangs trimmed.

Specific duties

No matter where they work ? salons, hotels, private clubs ? stylists usually perform the following tasks:

• Give clients suggestions about hairstyles that are well-suited to their physical features (maybe the client is short with a round face ? and super puffy hair just wouldn't look so good). Stylists also need to listen carefully to their client's instructions, if he or she already has a style in mind.
  
• Shampoo, rinse and condition hair.
  
• Cut, trim, taper, curl, wave, perm or shave hair according to what the client wants.
  
• Colour, bleach, tint, dye, frost or streak hair, if the client has requested it.
  
• Assess the condition of the client's hair and scalp and give advice on beauty-care treatments.
  

Men are more likely to go to barbers than women are, mostly because barbers tend to have services that are geared toward men. Barbers usually do some or all of the following tasks:

• Shampoo, rinse and condition hair.
  
• Cut and trim hair according to the client's liking (maybe the client wants full-bodied sideburns and a crew cut).
  
• Shave and trim beards, goatees and moustaches. Barbers need to make sure that their shaving and trimming blades are sharp. Cuts and blood just don't go over so well.
  
• Provide hair treatments such as "waving," straightening or tinting.
  

Related careers

You might be also be interested in these careers that have similar educational and/or training requirements, or that share similar duties.

• Estheticians & Electrologists
• Image, Social & Other Personal Consultants

High school path

A CareerMATTERS consultant suggests these high school courses would be helpful. They are not pre-requisites to post secondary programs, nor are they necessary to obtain employment. You should consult with your school counsellor to make the best choices for your own career path.

Recommended Courses
Grade 9	Grade 10	Grade 11	Grade 12
English
ENG1D English, Grade 9, Academic or ENG1P English, Grade 9, Applied	ENG2D English, Grade 10, Academic or ENG2P English, Grade 10, Applied	ENG3E English, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	ENG4E English, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
Math
MFM1P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 9, Applied or MPM1D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 9, Academic	MFM2P Foundations of Mathematics, Grade 10, Applied or MPM2D Principles of Mathematics, Grade 10, Academic	MEL3E Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 11, Workplace Preparation	MEL4E Mathematics for Work and Everyday Life, Grade 12, Workplace Preparation
Science
SNC1D Science, Grade 9, Academic or SNC1P Science, Grade 9, Applied	SNC2D Science, Grade 10, Academic or SNC2P Science, Grade 10, Applied	SPH4C Physics, Grade 12, College Preparation

* a job shadowing/co-op experience is recommended

Post-secondary options

• Hairstylists and barbers may require the completion of a two to three-year hairstyling apprenticeship program or completion of a college or other program in hairstyling combined with on-the-job training.
  
• To work in this trade, you have to have a valid Certificate of Qualification or be registered as an apprentice.
  

There may be several different paths to a career. Post-secondary education or training programs will help, but they are not a guarantee. You should research your options carefully before deciding on any program of study. Click here for a comparison chart of institutions or accreditations.

The following programs offered at Ontario post-secondary institutions may be helpful in pursuing a career in this field. In addition to the institutions listed here, please refer to "For more information" (at left) for a list of organizations and associations that may also offer programs of study.

Institution	Programs offered
College
Algonquin College	Hairstylist - Apprenticeship
Durham College - Skills Training Centre (Whitby)	Hairstylist - Apprenticeship
Sault College	Hairstyling - Apprenticeship
St. Clair College	Hairstylist
St. Lawrence College	Hairstylist
St. Lawrence College - Brockville Campus	Hairstylist
Registered Career College
Allanti School of Hairstyling and Aesthetics	Hairstyling
Art & Technique Academy of Hairstyling and Esthetics - Belleville	Hairstyling
Art & Technique Academy of Hairstyling and Esthetics - Brampton	Hairstyling
Art & Technique Academy of Hairstyling and Esthetics - Cornwall	Hairstyling

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Career path

Wondering how you could prepare for a career in this field? Or what else you might do once you have some experience?

Most stylists work in hair salons, and barbers in barber shops. However, you can expand your talents to work in places like community colleges, healthcare centres or even film, television and theatre studios.

Maybe you'll decide to open your own shop and hire your own crew of stylists or barbers. "Hairs" to you! Or should we say "Hats off to you!"?

Employers

These are examples of the places, businesses and industries that employ people in this field:

self-employment
barber shops
hairstyling and hairdressing salons
theatre, film and television establishments
vocational schools

Work environment

Most salons and shops where stylists and barbers do their thing are well-lit (you wouldn't want to lop off a whole bunch of curls because the lights are too dim!).

Work schedules will probably include evenings and weekends, when salons and barber shops are busiest. Many full-time stylists and barbers work 40 hours a week, but many work part-time on varying schedules.

Common job titles

Also Known As....

Barber
Barber apprentice
Hairdresser
Hairstylist apprentice
Wig stylist
Hair colour technician
Hairdresser apprentice

For more information

Links to associations, organizations, unions and other places that may be able to provide more information.

• Apprenticeship: Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities
  Information about apprenticeship opportunities in Ontario including training info, contacts, etc.

• Interprovincial Standards
  The "Red Seal" allows qualified trades persons to practise in any province or territory in Canada. Includes a list of all Red Seal trades.

• Ontario Job Futures
  Information on occupations common to Ontario. Includes job descriptions, employment outlook, salaries, etc. (Government of Ontario)