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News Latest News Hairdressers Apprenticeship cutting it fine
News Latest News Hairdressers Apprenticeship cutting it fine
Hairdressers Apprenticeship cutting it fine |
| News - Latest |
| Written by ROSIE SQUIRES |
|
FINDING an apprentice hairdresser has never been more challenging for Sydney hairdressers, who are short of skilled employees. Many stylists fear the push for high-school graduates to attend university has had an impact on the number of school-leavers taking up hairdressing apprenticeships.
 Looking for fresh talent: Jessica Barr of The Blowdry Boutique at Double Bay
But Jessica Barr, director of The Blowdry Boutique, says students should consider a career in the hairdressing industry she loves. Barr, who owns hairdressing salons at Mosman and Double Bay, says she's always looking for fresh young talented hairdresser's to join the team.
``I always wanted to be a hairdresser and run my own business. ``I broke into the industry at 13, when I started working at a local hair salon making coffee.''
Barr trained part-time at TAFE, where she completed a four-year hairdressing course that included two years' work experience in a hairdressing salon. Motivated by competition, she felt confident enough to open her own business in 2008.
Since then, she has beautified everyone from Jennifer Hawkins and Natalie Bassingthwaighte to Kerri-Anne Kennerley and Kate Ritchie.
``I've tried to be different by offering a new concept: the express blow-dry salon, which offers good blow-dries at an attractive price,'' Barr says.
As director of the company, Barr must be across every aspect of her business. ``I basically do everything, from hiring, managing and training hairdresser's to organising marketing, administration, finding ways to keep staff motivated -- and, of course, carrying out blow-dries,'' she says.
Barr says the best thing about her job is building long-lasting relationships with clients and meeting new people. The hardest part is finding new hairdresser's and working on Sundays.
A career in hairdressing involves giving advice on hair care, beauty products and hairstyles, shampooing hair and conditioning scalps, colouring, straightening and permanently waving hair with chemical solutions and trimming hair using scissors, clippers and razors.
Barr says that to be successful, hairdresser's need to have a great work ethic, good hairdressing skills and a friendly, positive attitude.
``Confidence in yourself and your work, as well as a determined attitude, are also needed to work in hairdressing,'' she says.
``Most important, believe in yourself, don't take no for an answer and remember that nothing comes easy: hard work is the key.''
Hairdressing guru Maria Ardino, of Ardino Hair and Beauty, Paddington, says the ability to earn a full-time wage while furthering one's education and training is a luxury not available to most people studying at university.
``There are fabulous opportunities and avenues that hairdressing provides -- you are paid while training and the long-term prospects are great,'' she says.
Ardino is a hair director for both Rosemount Australian Fashion Week and the Rosemount Sydney Fashion Festival, creating looks for A-listers such as Sarah Murdoch and Jennifer Hawkins.
``For a would be hairdresser a hairdressing apprenticeship is a great way to get started, potentially leading to work in film, fashion and magazines or giving technical advice, as well as the opportunity to mingle with celebrity clients,'' she says.
``Glitz and glamour aside, the profession is very rewarding. It's one of those rare times when a client puts their complete trust in you as a hairdresser.''
Related hairdressing and hairdresser articles Terms related to: hairdresser, hairdressing salon, hairdressing colouring, hair extensions hairdressers, hairdressing cutting, hairdressing beauty therapy, chair hairdressers |
| Last Updated on Friday, 28 May 2010 16:01 |
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