Hairdresser | Career Planet

What is a Hairdresser?

Hairdressers cut, colour and style both mens’, womens’ and childrens’ hair. Hairdresser are highly skilled, creative and talented people.
Some Hairdressers also trim and cut beards, moustaches and shape eyebrows etc. Some Hairdressers specialise in certain areas, for instance, in African hair styles: (braiding, extensions, plaiting etc), childrens hair or hairstyles for the movie industry.

Hairdressers can work:

in salons
in a barber shops
in client’s homes, retirement villages etc (mobile hairdressing units)
on a movie, television sets

What does a Hairdresser do? (trainee Hairdresser)

meeting and greeting clients
making sure towels and supplies are ready
shampooing, conditioning and rinsing hair
massaging client’s scalp
keeping the salon clean and tidy

What does a Hairdresser do? (qualified Hairdresser)

discussing the client’s requirements
suggesting suitable styles
cutting, styling or colouring according to customer requests
perming or straightening hair
styling hair for weddings and special functions
advising on minor hair and scalp problems
keeping up-to-date with the latest hair trends
ordering supplies and keeping stock
keeping records of client’s processes
hiring and firing employees
keeping up to date with their training
maintaining strict hygiene in the salon

Are you … ?

passionate about hair and hair design?
a people’s person?
a good listener?
able to communicate?
detail orientated?
creative?
a person with good eye-hand co-ordination?
neat and tidy?
a trendsetter?
driven to learn new techniques?
a person with a sense of pride?
professional?
able to deal with difficult clients?
a person with good stamina – you have to stand all day?

How do I become a Hairdresser?

Further Education and Training Colleges (FET) may offer programmes for specific Trade or Skills set such as hairdressing. We advise contacting these institutions directly.

Visit the Career Planet Training Institutions page to find your nearest FET College.

Here are some institutions where you can study hairdressing either part-time or full time:

SERWALO HAIR ACADEMY: (Pretoria, Nelspruit and Polokwane)

Offers the following courses:

Afro Caribbean Course – International course specialising in Afro Caribbean hair
National Certificate in Hairdressing – Full Time
National Certificate in Hairdressing – Part Time
International Diploma in Hairdressing – Part Time

They also offer ‘Skills Courses’ so that you may earn-while-you-learn and work yourself into being a qualified Hairdresser:

SUNDARA INTERNATIONAL BEAUTY COLLEGE: (Table View)

Offers both part-time and full time hairdressing courses
Offers a 3 year, Services SETA Hairdressing Diploma. It’s accredited with both ITEC and Services SETA. The course comprises of level two, three and four.

ICESA EDUCATION:

Offers a 5 month Learning Programme in Hairdressing
Offers 1 year – NFQ Level: 2 Certificate in Hairdressing

HAIR AND IMAGE INSTITUTE: (Gauteng)

Offers short courses and a 2 year part-time (once a week) course in hairdressing. This latter course falls under the Further Education and Training (FET) Band of the Department of Education (DoE).
The National Qualification (Trade Test Certificate) that is awarded to you by the Services SETA is recognised in: Australia, New Zealand, Canada, England and European Union
Minimum requirements:
Grade 9 and turn 16 years in the year of enrolment
Be employed full time in the hairdressing industry

ACADEMY OF SOMATOLOGY & HAIRDRESSING: (Pretoria East, Pretoria, Tshwane, Centurion, Midrand and Johannesburg)

Offers HAIRDRESSING AND BEAUTY THERAPY and ‘Skills Courses’

Hairdressing: levels 1 and 2 – one year
Hairdressing: level 3 – six months

(Working in a salon the rest of the time is essential)

TERENZO INTERNATIONAL HAIRDRESSING PROFESSIONALS – The School: (Cape Town)

Accredited with Umalusi, the Department of Education and with the Services SETA
Offers a 3 year National Certificate

SOUTH CAPE COLLEGE: (Various Cape areas)

Offers a National Certificate: Hairdressing Level 2-4
Minimum requirements: Grade 9 certificate, NQF Level 1 qualification

WESTCOL COLLEGE: Accredited by the Services SETA

Offers a full and part-time National Certificate in Hairdressing (NQF 2), (NQF 3) and (NFQ 4)
Minimum requirements: Preference will be given to learners with a Grade 12 certificate.