Hairstylists and Barbers (NOC 6271)

Description

Hairstylists and barbers cut and style hair and perform related services. They are employed in hairstyling or hairdressing salons, barber shops, vocational schools, health care establishments and theatre, film and television establishments.

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Example Titles

barber
barber apprentice
hair colour technician
hairdresser
hairdresser apprentice
hairstylist
hairstylist apprentice
wig stylist

>> View all titles

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Classified Elsewhere

Estheticians, Electrologists and Related Occupations (6482)
Hairdressing teachers (in 4131 College and Other Vocational Instructions)

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Duties

Hairstylists perform some or all of the following duties:

Suggest hair style compatible with client's physical features or determine style from client's instructions and preferences
Cut, trim, taper, curl, wave, perm and style hair
Apply bleach, tints, dyes or rinses to colour, frost or streak hair
Analyze hair and scalp condition and provide basic treatment or advice on beauty care treatments for scalp and hair
May shampoo and rinse hair
May train or supervise other hairstylists, hairstylist apprentices and helpers.

Barbers perform some or all of the following duties:

Cut and trim hair according to client's instructions or preferences
Shave and trim beards and moustaches
May shampoo hair and provide other hair treatment, such as waving, straightening and tinting and may also provide scalp conditioning massages
May train and supervise other barbers and barber apprentices.

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Skills

Hairstylists and barbers require the following skills and abilities:

an interest in personal appearances,
an understanding of the instructions and processes to apply various products,
enjoy a wide variety of people and be patient and helpful in serving the public,
good health, physical stamina to stand for long periods,
manual dexterity, good colour vision and depth perception,
an interest in keeping up-to-date on new styles, supplies and technology,
creativity,
good listening skills and be willing and able to follow clients' instructions,
basic recordkeeping skills.

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Employment Requirements

All people practising hairstyling (including barbers) in Manitoba must hold either a valid apprenticeship permit or certificate of qualification issued by the Apprenticeship Branch, and a renewable authorization to practise.

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Terms & Conditions

Hairstylists and barbers require physical stamina because they work while standing for long periods. They also come into contact with chemicals and dyes which can cause irritation. Most hairstylists and barbers work full-time (78%). Self-employment in this occupation is common (39%).

The earnings for Hairstylists and barbers usually include tips in addition to their hourly wages. They may also receive a commission, or commission and an hourly wage rate. Commissions paid are usually between 40% and 50% of the fee charged the customer. The self employed normally rent a chair from a salon owner, or are salon owners.

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Earnings

$19,800 per annum - starting

$26,400 per annum - average

$42,000 per annum - high

Earnings are reviewed annually or more frequently if new information becomes available.

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Education / Training

To become a certified hairstylist, you must complete apprenticeship training. To do so, you must first take hairstyling courses at an accredited institution, then find an employer who will provide on-the-job training and enter into an apprenticeship arrangement with you. The duration of your apprenticeship workplace training is 1500 hours per year, for two years. If you are presently working as a hairstylist in a jurisdiction other than Manitoba, you may be able to receive credit for previous work experience and training.
You should have Senior 4 or equivalent high school academic standing. However, if you do not have the required education standing and are at least 19 years of age, you may qualify as a Mature Student based on an assessment of your previous skills and training.
While attending a hairstylist program on a full time basis, you can apply for a Student Permit, available from the Apprenticeship Branch.

The following private vocational institutions offer programs in this field:

Academia dei Capelli
Advanced School of Hairstyling
Scientific.Marvel School of Hairstyling and Aesthetics.
E-Hair College
Winnipeg Technical College offers a program in this field.
Accredited public school programs: A variety of programs are available through the public school system and are available to adult learners.
Some high schools in Manitoba offer a program in Cosmetology and Hairstyling.

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Career Paths

Advancement opportunities include working in larger shops, managing a shop, teaching in a hairdressing school or owning the business.

Courses in hairdressing often also include elements of esthetics which may be considered as an alternate career, after pursuing trade training in esthetics.

Red Seal trade certification through the Apprenticeship program allows for interprovincial mobility.

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Outlook

Employment prospects for hairstylists and barbers are expected to be good in the period 2010 - 2014. Employment in Manitoba in 2010 is estimated at 3,000.

There is a fairly high turnover rate in this occupation, which in turn, creates employment opportunities. Certified hairstylists with experience working in larger shops or in management will have better than average employment prospects. A growing number of hairstylists choose to be self employed by renting a chair in an established salon.

Employment opportunities for hairstylists and barbers are fairly evenly distributed throughout the province. Nearly all hairstylists and barbers work in the Other Services (except Public Administration) industry (99%).

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