You will develop an understanding of operating a hair salon and employer expectations. Your studies will develop your awareness of legal and labour regulations, financing, salon design and maintaining shop inventory and equipment. The course covers practical application of personality theories to salon situations.

You will develop employability skills through the study of interpersonal communications theory and applications in the workplace. Learning outcomes include the importance of self-awareness and self-esteem, perception problems, verbal and nonverbal messages, and listening skills, creating positive communication climates and resolving interpersonal conflict.

You will explore sciences as they relate to providing service as a hairstylist. You will discuss general anatomy and physiology. You will describe hair and scalp properties, skin structure and growth, chemistry, and physics. You will use the metric system as applied in hairstyling.

You will study the practice and theory in shampooing, finishing rinses, hair treatments, and scalp treatments. You will develop the knowledge required to recognize diseases and disorders of the scalp.

You will study all aspects of basic colouring and lightening techniques with emphasis on practical applications of temporary, semi-permanent, demi-permanent, and permanent hair colouring and lightening.

You will be introduced to the basic principles of cutting mechanics. You will gain an understanding of the use of hair cutting tools, angles, and the elevation of cutting techniques (in theory and in practical).

You will practice hair cutting techniques including clipper cut, shear/comb, and clipper/comb.

You will study techniques for thermal and wet styling and identify styling products and tools. You will demonstrate blow drying techniques, basic wet sets and thermal styling.

You will study types of facial hair and their removal. You will demonstrate basic facial and nape hair removal and the appropriate safety procedures. You will demonstrate basic eyebrow shaping and straight razor hair removal.

You will become familiar with salon practices and gain experience in providing hairstylist services to clients under the direct supervision of an instructor. You will practice standards of salon professionalism and effective communication skills. You will identify principles of teamwork, quality customer service, practices and procedures, salon leadership skills, and conflict resolution strategies. You will practice basic haircutting skills, hair colouring skills, hairstyling skills, and basic facial hair skills. You will practice reception duties and retail functions for a salon. You will organize records, inventory, and a salon dispensary.

You will expand your experience and gain independence in performing hairstylist skills as you operate a salon under instructor supervision. You will adopt sanitation and safety procedures and practice standards of salon professionalism, practices, and procedures and identify a personal conflict resolution style. You will demonstrate teamwork, effective communication skills, and effective customer service. You will demonstrate basic haircutting skills, hair colouring skills, hairstyling skills, and basic facial hair skills. You will demonstrate reception duties, retail functions, and salon leadership skills. You will organize records and manage a salon dispensary.

You will operate a salon and perform basic hairstylist skills with minimal instructor supervision. You will apply sanitation and safety procedures and demonstrate salon practices and procedures, conflict resolution techniques, and problem-solving. You will demonstrate effective client consultation and retention practices. You will independently perform basic haircutting, colouring, hairstyling, and facial hair skills to industry standards. You will perform reception duties and retail functions for a salon and apply leadership skills by managing a salon. You will manage records and operate a salon dispensary.

Your studies will focus on safety, personal health, and sanitation as they relate to hair services. You will also study relevant safety concerns such bacteriology, health risks, and diseases.

You will participate in a professional development experience to enrich your industry contacts, increase your product knowledge, and learn about the latest technology and techniques. You will demonstrate new techniques gained from this professional development experience.

To help you in your final preparations for employment, you will spend one week in industry. You will have the opportunity to observe in the work environment and become familiar with the everyday customer relations and working schedules of a salon.