What does a hairdressing apprentice do?

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An apprentice hairdresser assists senior hairdressers with salon procedures, starting with basic tasks and progressing to more complex ones. Apprenticeships are a common way to enter the salon industry, with on-the-job training and opportunities to build relationships with clients. After completing the apprenticeship, the new hairdresser can apply for a job at the salon or elsewhere.

An apprentice hairdresser assists a senior or more experienced hairdresser with all types of salon procedures, from shampooing to cutting and coloring hair. A novice hairdresser’s apprentice may be responsible for daily tasks such as cleaning floors and sterilizing haircutting equipment, while an established apprentice may apply chemical treatments to a client’s hair, under the supervision of an experienced hairdresser. A hairdresser’s apprentice may begin their experience simply by washing hair or making appointments, however, as the apprenticeship matures, the apprentice will be assigned increasingly difficult tasks to perform in the salon.

For many aspiring stylists, becoming an apprentice hairdresser is a means of breaking into the salon business. Some salons allow a person to start working as an apprentice hairdresser with only minimal training. Learning a trade through on-the-job training usually requires patience and determination. The early learner is often given the most common salon jobs before being able to work with clients. It is often a self-taught hairdresser who requests an apprenticeship. This process allows a person with no formal education to become a hairstylist while at the same time protecting clients as the apprentice gains and perfects his or her skills.

It is common for an apprentice hairdresser to wash clients’ hair to prepare them for an experienced hairdresser. This provides the apprentice with an opportunity to build a relationship with the client and start working on the skills needed to become a hairdresser. A big component of the apprenticeship program is helping the new stylist hone their people skills, putting them in positions where they can control conversations. In some salons, the apprentice will help the stylist with coloring, conditioning and styling. In many cases, any tip will be split evenly between the two stylists.

Once an apprentice hairdresser has completed their internship, the new hairdresser can submit a job application to the salon. Occasionally, the new stylist will choose to seek employment at another salon. When this happens, the new salon usually contacts the apprentice’s instructor and the salon owner to discuss the applicant’s qualifications and any concerns. Once satisfied with the information received, the new salon will be able to make a job offer to the applicant. It is customary for many salons to require a period of internship as a condition of employment when hiring stylists.




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