Hairdresser Jobs That You Could Apply For

Have you always pictured yourself working as a hairdresser? If this is the career you want to make progress in, you might find it worthwhile to look through the range of hairdresser jobs you can get in South Africa today. This will give you a better idea of what you might be doing in the near future.

1 - Apprentice hairdresser

It is worth looking out for these positions as they provide a good entry into hairdressing. The idea is simple – you work in a salon while studying to qualify as a hairdresser. This means you not only get instruction in the theory you need, you also get practical on the job training. Many apprenticeships lead to a permanent hairdressing position with the salon you take the apprenticeship position at.

2 - Qualified hairdresser

If you see this vacancy advertised anywhere, you will know you must be fully qualified in order to apply. This is a good way of distinguishing between trainee positions and those that require a qualified hairdresser.

The job itself can vary in terms of earnings, so it is wise to check the details of any qualified hairdresser jobs you find. In some cases you will rent a chair in a salon and you’ll be required to find your own clients to fill your days. Sometimes this type of vacancy will ask for you to have your own client list before you apply.

In other cases you will receive a basic wage for working at a salon and then a commission on top. As you can see there is some variety in this profession so consider what type of job would suit you best and look for appropriate vacancies.

3 - Senior stylist

The word stylist is often interchangeable with hairdresser, but in some cases an advert will call for a senior stylist. This will require experience in the profession so it is a job you should aspire to further on in your career. Seniority comes with experience and depending on the salon you may also be required to support and assist younger members of staff. Some jobs will ask you to have an established clientele before you apply too.

4 - Self employed hairdresser

Working in a hairdresser’s is not the only route that is open to you once you learn how to cut hair. You may choose to become self employed, in which case you have two choices. You can either set up your own salon or you can become a hairdresser. The latter option would require you to have your own transport and to visit clients in their homes. This can be useful for those who don’t like or don’t want to travel, and you may also find you can take on many bridal hair bookings.

As you can see hairdressing holds many job opportunities for those who are qualified to take them. Hairdressing training are always quite easy to find, so no matter where you are in South Africa this could be the ideal career for you to pursue.

Do You Need Formal Hairdresser Training to Become a Hairdresser in South Africa?

Hairdressing can be a challenging, sociable and rewarding career for many. But of course before you can think about cutting hair you must be properly trained to do so.

In this article we will find out more about hairdresser training and what you can expect as you embark on a career in this profession.

Can you learn on the job?

Surprisingly enough yes, this is possible to do. It is also a popular way of getting into the profession. If you want to go down this route you will need to look for an apprenticeship in the area of South Africa where you live. The odds of being successful in this regard can depend on where you live. If you are based in or near a city you will very likely have more opportunities than you would if you live in a quieter area.

The idea is to take on various tasks in a hairdresser training and also to study at the same time. Thus you will usually be at the salon for a couple of days a week, fitting the salon time in around your studies. As you can see, even if you ‘learn on the job’ in this way, you will still be required to go through proper hairdresser training as you do so.

Is it possible to study for a certificate in hairdressing?

Yes it is. You can get a National Certificate in Hairdressing that is registered and approved by the South African Qualifications Authority. This would provide you with an NQF Level 2 certificate.

This course can be studied part time to allow for experience at a salon as well, as mentioned above. There are different levels of certificates you can get too. The level 2 certificate mentioned above should take just one year to complete. The next level is the level 3 certificate and this also takes a year, on top of the level 2 qualification. You can also go forward and study for the level 4 certificate after this if you wish.

Is it worth studying the higher level courses?

It can be, yes – it all depends on how much you want to know and how many services you want to offer. The level 2 NQF course does not cover hair cutting, so you will need to complete level 3 in order to learn this. Similarly while you can provide a range of services once you are qualified to level 3, you won’t be able to offer perms until you have passed level 4.

It is also worth noting you will acquire the skills you need to open your own salon if you study as far as level 4. So even though you may not need the qualification immediately, it will provide you with a level of hairdresser Jobs knowledge that will be useful in the months and years to come.

So you can see there is plenty to consider in order to have the best chance of becoming a successful Become a Hairdresser in the future.