Hairstylists and barbers (NOC 6341)

Hairstylists:

• suggest hairstyle that suits a client‘s physical features or determine style from client‘s instructions and preferences
• cut, trim, taper, curl, wave, perm and style hair
• apply bleach, tints, dyes or rinses to colour, frost or streak hair
• analyze hair and scalp condition and provide basic treatment or advice on beauty care treatments for scalp and hair
• clean and style wigs and hair pieces
• apply hair extensions
• shampoo and rinse hair
• perform receptionist duties and order supplies
• judge in competitions
• train or supervise other hairstylists, hairstylist apprentices and helpers

Barbers:

• cut and trim hair according to client instructions or preferences
• shave and trim beards and moustaches
• shampoo hair and provide other hair treatment, such as waving, straightening and tinting
• provide scalp conditioning massages
• book appointments and order supplies
• train and supervise other barbers and barber apprentices

Key aspects of the work in this occupation:

• Work generally takes place in a conventional indoor setting.
• Work involves contact with water and hair products that may have strong odours.
• Working with scissors can result in injury.

Education, training & qualifications

Hairstylists:

• Some secondary school education is required
• Completion of a two- or three-year hairstyling apprenticeship program or completion of a college or other program in hairstyling combined with on-the-job training is usually required
• Several years of experience may replace formal education and training
• Employers may require applicants to provide a hairstyling demonstration before being hired
• Trade certification for hairstylists is compulsory in Nova Scotia, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta, and available, but voluntary, in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Quebec, British Columbia, the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut
• Red Seal endorsement is also available to qualified hairstylists upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination

Barbers:

• Some secondary school education is required
• Completion of a two-year apprenticeship or other barber program is usually required
• On-the-job training may be substituted for formal education
• Trade certification for barbers is available, but voluntary, in British Columbia and the Yukon
• Red Seal endorsement is also available to barbers, as qualified hairstylists, upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal examination

Skills

• Social
• Manual Dexterity
• Detail-Oriented
• Verbal & Written Comprehension
• Numerical Ability
• General Learning Ability

View skills definitions

Education programs in B.C.

The following program areas are related to this occupation:

For more information about programs offered specifically for this career, visit EducationPlannerBC.

Trades training resources

Visit our trades training page at www.workbc.ca/trades to learn about apprenticeship and trades training in B.C.