Hairstylist (Pre-Employment)

Program Description

The 37 week Hairstylist (Pre-Employment) Diploma program is a provincially-accredited apprenticeship program that was developed by government and approved by the Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board. The program provides students with a wide range of skills that are needed to work as a first-year apprentice, including those related to safety, salon fundamentals, cutting and styling, hair color, chemical waving and relaxing, hairstyles and many others. Most courses are designed in such a way that students spend time divided equally between the classroom and hair salon. Upon successful completion of academic courses students will also take part in a 3 week work-term before graduating.

Please note that due to the nature of this career, employees are required to tolerate regular physical activity during the course of their work day. If you have any medical concerns, please contact your admissions officer to ensure you are aware of the requirements of the occupation and to determine if you are eligible for accommodations in this program.

Apprenticeship Training

The Hairstylist program is an apprenticeship trades program. Courses completed at Academy Canada meet the requirements to become a first-year apprentice. Once this training is completed and the graduate obtains their first position in the trade, they must register as an Apprentice with the Department of Education. After gaining sufficient experience, an apprentice is eligible for the interprovincial Journeyperson theory and practical exams. Passing these examinations will result in receiving Red Seal Certification.

Program Courses

• Occupational Health and Safety
• WHMIS
• Standard First Aid
• Safety-Related and Hygienic Functions
• Tools and Equipment
• Client Service Preparation
• Communication Techniques
• Front Desk
• Hair and Scalp Analysis and Response
• Shampoo and Condition Hair
• Wet Hair Styling I
• Wet Hair Styling II
• Dry Hair Finishing and Styling I
• Dry Hair Finishing and Styling II
• Hair Cutting
• Facial and Nape Hair Services
• Colouring
• Lightening
• Chemical Waving
• Chemical Relaxing
• Colour Correction
• Extensions, Wigs and Hairpieces
• Face and Nape Services
• Mentoring Techniques
• Business Fundamentals I
• Business Fundamentals II
• Introduction to Essential Skills
• Math Essentials
• Hairstylist Math Fundamentals
• Communication Essentials
• Workplace Essentials
• Computer Essentials
• Introduction to Apprenticeship
• Workplace Exposure

Employment Opportunities

Upon successful completion of the Hairstylist program, graduates may be eligible for employment (depending on specific hiring practices) as hairstylists in both male and female services. Opportunities may also be available in sales-related and personal grooming services. A small sample of Academy Canada’s excellent employers include:

• Hair Factory
• Studio Maxx
• Magic Cuts
• Tangles
• New Creations
• Dawn's Unisex
• Salon Fredrick's
• Hairitage
• Mr. Austins
• Silver Scissors
• Image Unisex
• Bob's Beauty Salon
• Uptown Hair Salon
• Head First Salon
• Hair Designers
• Judy's Beauty Salon
• First Choice
• Peggy's Hair Design

Wouldn't you love to be able to create a hairstyle as creative as this? Enroll in our Hairstylist (Pre-Employment) program and you can.

Work Term Information

Work terms are a required, unpaid, formally arranged on-site training experience completed at the end of the program. The work term provides students with practical, real-world experience that supports skill development, professional confidence, and readiness for employment.

Students are expected to attend according to the host’s schedule and must report any absences to both the host supervisor and the Graduate Employment Coordinator. Missed days are added to the end of the placement. Attendance and performance are monitored through ongoing communication, including check-ins and formal mid-placement and final evaluations. Successful completion of an approved, authorized work term is required for graduation.

Students are responsible for maintaining professional conduct, attending as scheduled, complying with host policies, promptly reporting absences or concerns, and completing all required documentation. The College is responsible for approving placements, providing guidance and support, monitoring progress, and determining successful completion. Work term hosts are responsible for supervision, attendance reporting, providing appropriate learning opportunities, and completing required evaluations. Students who do not who do not meet work term requirements may be removed from their placement and may be required to complete a new placement in order to graduate.