Hairdressing jobs
Type of Job
Hairdressing is a popular job - it involves cutting, colouring and shaping clients' hair to create the style they want.
What is the job about?
Your duties as a hairdresser will be quite varied. Trainees start out learning the trade by performing a range of tasks around the salon, including:
- Reception work
- Washing hair
- Ensuring that towels and supplies are always available
- Basic cleaning and tidying
Once you are qualified you will find your duties change to include:
- Advising clients and offering ideas for styles they might like
- Washing and conditioning hair
- Cutting and styling hair
- Colouring, perming or straightening hair
- Offering advice on issues such as hair and scalp problems
- Making bookings and handling payments
- Ordering supplies
You can also specialise in particular clients or techniques such as Afro-Caribbean techniques like pressing, braiding and plaiting hair.
Key Skills & Knowledge needed
Working as a hairdresser is a people oriented business. You will need to:
- Have good customer service and 'people' skills
- Have good practical skills
- Be creative
- Be fashion-consciousness
- Be open to learning new techniques and skills
Qualifications and experience needed
You can train as a hairdresser either full-time or part-time at college, or work as a trainee learning on the job and attending college on day-release.
You will need to get an NVQ in Hairdressing and Barbering. The new qualifications include:
- Level 1 NVQ Certificate in Hairdressing and Barbering
- NVQ Diploma in Barbering at levels 2 and 3
- NVQ Diploma in Hairdressing at levels 2 and 3
You can also become a hairdresser via an Apprenticeship scheme. As these vary depending on the local jobs market and the types of skills employers need from their workers, check out the Apprenticeships website.
What other training and development could I do?
As your career progresses you will want to advance your skills by learning advanced colouring, perming, assessing and remedial techniques. There are higher-level qualifications available, including:
- BTEC HNC/HND and foundation degrees in hairdressing (usually combined with salon management)
- Degrees in beauty therapy and hairdressing.
Salary and benefit expectations
Salaries depend on experience and region. Trainees typically make National Minimum Wage, while fully trained hairdressers can earn ?20,000 a year, up to ?30,000 or more for those at the top of the profession.
Where else can I go for more information?
Hairdressing and Beauty Industry Authority (HABIA)
www.habia.org
Freelance Hair and Beauty Federation (FHBF)
www.fhbf.org.uk
