Hairdressing (Part 2)

There are two approved and recognised methods of entry to professional hairdressing. The first of these is the apprenticeship. This method has been in existence for many years, the basic principle being that a school leaver finds a salon willing to accept him/her as an apprentice to be taught the skills of hairdressing. The duration of apprenticeship is three years — with a probationary period of three months. This period of time is allowed as a “sampling” for both parties. For the employer it is a period in which he must assess the suitability of the probationer as an entrant to hairdressing, and as a future member of his staff fitting in with all other employees. It can well be that the apprentice, although suitable to hairdressing, is just not compatible in that particular salon.