Apprenticeships and Traineeships

Hairdressing Apprenticeship Spotlight

Do you love helping people look and feel their best, and want a job that will keep you active and on top of the latest fashion trends? You might like to consider becoming a hairdresser – and one of the best ways to start your career in this field is through a hairdressing apprenticeship.

What is a career in hairdressing?

As a hairdresser, you’ll cut, colour, and style hair of all different kinds. You’ll work with clients of all ages, from small children to adults, who all want different looks. In a day you might go from simply giving a trim on one person, to dying someone else’s hair a completely different colour. Some clients may also come to you for advice on styling and hair care tips and techniques.

As you gain lots of experience, you might like to consider one day opening your own salon and training the next generation of apprentices.

What skills do I need for a career in hairdressing?

You’ll need to be able to work on your feet and love being social, as the job will involve lots of face-to-face contact with clients. You will also need to be patient and respectful. Having a love for learning is great, as you’ll be learning new techniques, styles, and trends throughout your career.

Why should I consider a hairdressing apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are a great way to get your foot in the door with an employer and start building valuable skills. There are often lots of opportunities to continue working with your employer after your apprenticeship is complete, and even advance your career down the track.

As part of a hairdressing apprenticeship, you will be doing real work for an employer while completing study with a TAFE or RTO. A hairdressing apprenticeship usually takes 3-4 years to complete, depending on whether you work and study full- or part-time.

Here are some common qualifications you might want to look into:

• Certificate III in Hairdressing
• Certificate III in Barbering
• Diploma of Salon Management

There are tons of benefits to an apprenticeship, rather than just work or study alone, including:

• Getting paid while you learn – unlike uni, you can work and study without having to take on an insane work load.
• The opportunity to get hands-on experience, not just endless reading.
• The potential to connect with an employer and continue working with them after your traineeship is finished.
• Your qualification will be nationally recognised, meaning you can go anywhere with it.

Where can I find apprenticeship opportunities?

Just like searching for a job, there are lots of places you can go to find a traineeship. You can start your search on sites like SEEK and Indeed. Take a look on social media like Facebook or LinkedIn to see if any local businesses are hiring. Sign up with an Apprenticeship Network Provider or Group Training Organisation, or even go old fashioned and take a look in the local paper or give local businesses a call.