Most people have 'bad hair days', but fortunately we have hairdressers to fix that problem!

There are over 3,200 hairdressers working in Western Australia, with approximately 80% found in the Perth Metropolitan region and 8% in the South West. The rest are scattered throughout the remaining regions of the State.

Each year close to 450 people undertake an apprenticeship in hairdressing.

Although hair fashions and styles change every year, the role of the hairdresser remains constant. Using their creative flair and technical skills, they help us to look our best by cutting, styling, or chemically altering the hair.

Salon Solutions

Hairdressers first consult with their client to determine what they would like to have done. This provides an opportunity for the hairdresser to offer professional advice about flattering styles and determine lifestyle needs (does the client want a high or low maintenance hair style?). They also need to analyse the customer's hair and scalp condition and suggest appropriate treatments.

After the consultation, the hair is usually shampooed and conditioned and cut using scissors and razors with different types of blades chosen for the desired effect, be it a blunt cut, layered or a dramatic 'number two' haircut. Hair is then styled and blow waved using blow dryers and styling solutions.



Defying Mother Nature

''Every client is like a live sculpture, someone whose hair you can work on and create a new look for,'' says Rachel, a colour specialist in a City salon.

Sometimes a client may need a complete overhaul and this is where colourants and perming solutions may be used. Colour specialists are usually hairdressers who have an interest in this field and have extensive experience working with a particular company's range of colouring products. Colour specialists may use semi permanent or permanent dyes, or use caps or foils for streaking effects.

Hairdressers must wear protective gloves when colouring and perming hair and be aware of occupational health and safety matters because they are using chemical solutions. It is important to note that someone with skin allergies such as eczema may find it difficult to work in these conditions.

Tricks Of The Trade

Although creative skills are utilised in this job, essentially hairdressing is a learned trade. Something which should encourage more males to take up apprenticeships!

''Sometimes the changes we make as hairdresser are not so much cosmetic as engineering ones,'' says David Hutchinson, owner of Fantastic Sams Salon in Northbridge.



Hairdressers should be able to follow instructions and have a keen eye for detail. Being knowledgeable about past and current hairstyles will help them to create many different styles and cater to customers of all ages. Good eye-hand coordination is also important when working with scissors and razors.

Hairdressers must also keep their work environment and themselves well presented. All equipment must be kept in good working condition and sterilised after each use.

Stocktaking and attending seminars to keep up with new products and techniques are also part of the job. Hairdressers need to be able to promote haircare products so that clients can keep their hair in the best possible condition.

The Personal Touch

It may seem cliched but many a secret or woe has been exchanged between hairdresser and customer. According to David, more people go to a person with a nice disposition rather than someone with great hairdressing skills. Hence it is a job which requires excellent interpersonal skills.

''You have to be able to get on with people. It is a very personal and intimate job. Apart from the medical professions, it is the only job where you are licensed to touch someone!'' quips David.





Work Opportunities

The majority of hairdressers are employed in ladies', men's or unisex hairdressing salons. They may also be employed as beauty consultants, sales representatives or stylists in the fashion, film, theatre or advertising industry.

There are some opportunities to travel overseas. For example, in the past couple of years, David has gone to Taiwan to train Chinese hairdressers in the latest hairdressing techniques.



Once you have completed your apprenticeship, you may continue working with your current employer or seek work elsewhere. After gaining your qualification, you need to think about developing a broad range of business skills should you ever wish to consider the challenge of starting your own business.

Teaching opportunities, either at TAFE, or with other registered training organisations, also exist.

Employment opportunities are currently excellent for qualified and experienced hairdressers. Some employers are even advertising interstate and overseas to fill the burgeoning gap while the Department of Immigration and Trade lists hairdressing as a priority trade. According to industry sources, however, there is an adequate supply of hairdressing apprentices in the marketplace.



Fourth year apprentices earn approximately $27,000 while more senior hairdressers earn approximately $32,000. Principals can earn in excess of the latter figure.

To become a qualified hairdresser, you must complete a hairdressing apprenticeship. For further information on obtaining an apprenticeship, please contact the New Apprenticeships Hotline on 1800 639 629.

The off the job training associated with the apprenticeship is available through many TAFE campuses and private providers.

Industry recommends that those students keen to work in this occupation get as much work experience in salons as possible. This could involve anything from washing hair to sweeping floors.

	Other Training Providers
	National Training Information Service website.
	TAFE Colleges
	Homepage links and contact details for all TAFE Colleges in WA.
	TAFE Handbook
	An online guide to full time TAFE courses available throughout WA.

WRAPS - Industry Training Council
110-116 East Pde East Perth WA 6004 Phone: (08) 9228 1400

Master Ladies' Hairdressers Association (WA)
PO Box 353 Nedlands WA 6009 Phone: (08) 9421 1715

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The Jesuit principle, give me the child at seven, and I'll show you the adult could well apply to hairdresser, Miranda Billi. As a young girl her favourite past time was cutting the hair off her dolls!

It came as no surprise to her family and friends when, at the age of 16, she started working part time in a local salon, and by 17 had commenced an apprenticeship in hairdressing.

Hairdressing is definitely a vocational calling, according to Miranda.

''You cannot make a hairdresser. You're either one or you're not. It's important to be passionate about this work, because those who aren't never last.''

After gaining valuable experience working in salons around the State, she decided to buy her own business at the age of 23. Her clients, many of whom she now counts as personal friends, travel from as far as Fremantle and Guildford to have Miranda work her magic with their hair.

''I love the contact with people. You develop strong bonds with your clients. Sometimes you take on the role of psychologist and counsellor for those who tell you their problems.''

Miranda tries to encourage her regular customers to be adventurous with colours and styles, instead of wearing the same hairstyle year in, year out. As part of an initial consultation, Miranda gets a feel for the customer's lifestyle requirements and tries to envisage what style or colour will best suit them.

''You have to have a creative flair when looking at someone's face and knowing what will work. You can't just get a picture from a book and cut it onto their face. It's also important to know about their lifestyle needs. It's no use giving them a hairstyle that needs blow waving if they just want to get out of bed in the morning and look fabulous!''

Miranda's advice to young people who are interested in hairdressing is to get experience in a large, modern salon that participates in competition work. Miranda's shelves are lined with trophies she won in State competitions for creative hair design and she attests that this is the best way to see if you really have what it takes to be a hairdresser.

When it comes to her own hair, Miranda heeds her own advice. Let's just say that it has become a local Roleystone tradition for people to pop in to see Miranda and find out what the week's latest colour is. And yes, Miranda does her own hair!