Dear executive spa group,

I worked as a Hairstylist in my home country for many years before coming to Canada. I enjoy working with hair and would love to continue to do so in Canada. I moved to Alberta 8 months ago. What are my options for working as a hairstylist in Canada using my previous training and experience from my home country?

Hope to hear back soon!

Lisa X.

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Dear Lisa,

Individuals who have trained abroad in hairstyling and would like to work as Hairstylists in Alberta Canada have the following options:

PLA EXAM

Hairstyling is a government-regulated occupation in Alberta. In other words, a regulatory body exists (Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training) that provides options to help you achieve this goal.

One of the options provided are Prior Learning Assessments (PLA). According to Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, these assessments include testing your level of knowledge and technical skill. To clarify, passing a PLA exam can help you gain entry into an apprenticeship program, or help place you in the appropriate place in your apprenticeship program.

As per Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, you can attempt a Previous Learning Assessment (PLA) exam if you successfully completed training that covers the same learning objectives as the apprenticeship education program, or if you have a minimum of one year experience in the trade.. 

Keep in mind this option will require you to provide proof of training so be ready to provide certificates/diplomas, or proof of work experience in the trade. Also, there are application and exam fees you must pay.

Steps to obtaining your apprenticeship

Secure a job in a salon. This could be getting hired as a salon technician, receptionist, or retail specialist. Your supervisor should be a Journeyman Hairstylist to train you and confirm your hours worked.

After securing employment, you may apply to be a Registered Apprentice in Alberta. Once you have completed your application and pay the registration fee, you may be issued an Apprenticeship Card and Blue Book (this is the record log in which your worked hours are tracked).

As an Apprentice Hairstylist, you are able to buy product (no chemicals!) from salon distribution centers, and you are legally able to handle the tools of the trade.

Your on-the-job hours are divided into two twelve-month periods. During each period, you are expected to complete 1450 hours (this is 40 weeks based on 35 hours a week).

Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at DelMar College in Calgary and MC College in Edmonton.

• Your technical training is divided into Period One and Period Two. Both are 10 weeks in length (700 hours total). You may be eligible for financial benefits while in technical training. The average cost of tuition for both periods generally doesn’t exceed $2500. Tool kits would be available for learning purposes only, and it would be your responsibility to invest in your kit for your work experience.

Once your on-the-job training, technical training, and corresponding examinations (theory and technical exams for Period One and Two) are successfully completed, you are eligible to take the theory and technical exam for your Interprovincial Red Seal.

List of References

Tradesecrets 2024, accessed 15 September 2024, <https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-in-alberta/learn-about-designated-trades>.

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EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP

Technically you can teach yourself hairstyling. You can teach yourself to do just about anything these days! You may even be able to practice your self-taught skills on your family and friends. But as for teaching yourself to work as a hairstylist…well, that would be a no-no in Alberta, Canada.

THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

However, if hair is your passion and you don’t mind going the extra mile, you may want to learn more about apprenticeship. The apprenticeship route to becoming a licensed hairstylist works for motivated people.

The Apprenticeship path will take you two years to complete. This includes a minimum of 1450 hours of on-the-job training and 10 weeks of technical training each year (20 weeks total). The benefit of this route is the cost effectiveness and the real life, hands on training.

STEPS TO OBTAINING YOUR APPRENTICESHIP

1. Secure a job in a salon.

This could be getting hired as a salon technician, receptionist, or retail specialist. Your supervisor should be a Journeyman Hairstylist to train you and confirm your hours worked. You should mention your long term goals during your job interview to ensure you and your hiring manager are on the same page regarding your apprenticeship.

Keep in mind during your apprenticeship that your employer is incurring a timely and financial cost to train you. We recommend making yourself indispensable. For example, take on responsibilities abdicated by others. Consider yourself a student of every aspect of working in a salon. Even the menial labour that nobody else wants to do will prepare you for ultimate success.

2. Apply to be a Registered Apprentice

After securing employment, you may apply to be a Registered Apprentice in Alberta. Once you have completed your application and pay the registration fee, you may be issued an Apprenticeship Card and Blue Book (this is the official record log in which your worked hours are tracked).

As an Apprentice Hairstylist, you are able to buy product (no chemicals!) from salon distribution centres, and you are legally able to handle the tools of the trade.

3. On-the-job hours

Your on-the-job hours are divided into two twelve-month periods. During each period, you are expected to complete 1450 hours (this is 40 weeks based on 35 hours a week).

4. Technical training

Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

Your technical training is divided into Period One and Period Two. Both are 10 weeks in length (700 hours total). You may be eligible for financial benefits while in technical training. The average cost of tuition for both periods generally doesn’t exceed $2500. Tool kits would be available for learning purposes only, and it would be your responsibility to invest in your kit for your work experience.

5. Testing

Once your on-the-job training, technical training, and corresponding examinations (theory and technical exams for Period One and Two) are successfully completed, you are eligible to take the theory and technical exam for your Interprovincial Red Seal.

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DON’T FORGET ABOUT GRANTS AND LOANS AVAILABLE!

• The Canada Apprentice Loan is an initiative of the Government of Canada to help complete your apprenticeship in a designated Red Seal trade. You can apply for up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of technical training. The money would be available to help with tuition, tools, equipment and living expenses, to cover forgone wages and to help support your family.
• The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year, to a maximum of $2,000. This Grant helps registered apprentices get started in the designated Red Seal trades.
• The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a taxable cash grant of $2,000. This Grant helps registered apprentices who have completed their training to become certified journeypersons in the designated Red Seal trades.
• Canada Revenue offers a tax benefit for Tradespersons’ Tools Deduction . Apprentices may be able to deduct the cost of eligible tools bought to earn employment income as a skilled tradesperson.

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EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP

Hiring apprentices in your salon can be beneficial. Here are some FAQs employers have when considering hiring apprentices versus licensed hairstylists.

Can I hire an existing staff member as an apprentice?

Yes, for example, you may choose to promote your receptionist. Some people may even say that its a good idea to promote your receptionist/assistant/etc. This is because taking on an apprentice is a long term commitment and investment.

How much supervision is an apprentice required to have?

The supervisor has to be a certified hairstylist. This person will be a mentor and should have the qualities to mould the apprentice with correct technical skills and theoretical knowledge amongst other things.

Your apprentice must complete 1450 hours during their first period (12 months) and another 1450 hours on their second period (12 months)

You can stretch this out how it best works for you, but this works out to 30 hours per week on average.

Can an apprentice offer services at my salon before being licensed?

Yes, they can offer the services you teach them as they practice their skills. Your apprentice will have to enrol in technical training at some point during each period (start dates vary), but you can teach them the skills you want them to learn in the mean time.

What is the application process?

Your apprentice must apply online. There is a $35 apprenticeship application fee. After, you will receive an email asking you to complete the employer portion of the application.

A contract will be created from there which will be signed by both of you and voilà, you have an apprentice.

Find your apprentice!

You can use our job bank to search for your next apprentice!

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EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP

But not just any beauty PRO…

Meet Claudia, a strong, independent, ambitious individual who has made her self-employment goal a reality.

Claudia has been a licensed hairstylist for 13 years. She studied Hairstyling at MC College and proudly earned her diploma in 2006. Throughout the years, she gained the experience and confidence to be her own boss!

Claudia opened her very own salon, Claudia’s Beauty Shop. She states, “My salon is meant to feel private, comfortable and family friendly, with competitive pricing.”

Though Claudia trained in all areas of Hairstyling, including haircutting and chemical texturing, it is the magic of hair colouring that drives Claudia in her business.

“I’m in the business of beauty and Hair therapy (Hairipy).”

-Claudia, Owner of Claudia’s Beauty Shop.

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Storefront vs. Home Business

The two main types of beauty businesses are storefront and home businesses. While a storefront beauty business can grow large with many departments and staff to manage, it is home business owners that can truly be called self-employed.

In our Salon/Spa Startup course, we teach students the tools necessary to manage a beauty business, however, having the right tools is only half the battle. The other half comes from within. It takes discipline and perseverance and time to win the game of business.

Home businesses offer the flexibility craved by many of us. The ability to work from home is an attractive quality. For one, transportation to and from work is no longer a matter. You save money in gas/transit, but most importantly, you save time. Time to spend on the kids/house/yourself/etc.

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“My favourite benefits of having a home business is the freedom of scheduling appointments to suit my life.”

-Claudia

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Self-employment is not for everybody.

While the benefits of being self-employed outweigh the ongoing work (if you’re doing it right), don’t underestimate the challenges you will face, these will turn into lessons learned.

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Challenges of self-employment.

Claudia has faced some challenges in her ever-growing career. One of the biggest challenge she has overcome is learning how to be independent and accountable From paying for her ongoing education to staying up-to-date on new hair techniques, she is responsible for every aspect of her business.

“I have no other hairstylist in my home salon to be inspired by. I am responsible for all costs incurred by the salon. I am responsible for cleaning and maintenance.”

-Claudia

Advice from a PRO…

Claudia believes all beauty providers should work/apprentice in a storefront salon/spa before making the decision of opening a home business.

“There is so much to learn in the beauty industry beside techniques. Working in a multiple stylist environment you’ll learn how to work with multiple personalities, how to manage time.”

-Claudia

We couldn’t agree more with Claudia! Working with and learning from others will show you different ways of thinking and problem-solving.

“[Working in a storefront first teaches you] how to problem solve, how a salon works financially. You can learn how to be a mentor. How to sell products, services. All the fundamentals of becoming a successful business owner.”

-Claudia

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How do I become a Hairstylist?

Visit TRAINING 411 to learn more.

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EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP

Cosmetology Choices: Understanding Options For Your Hairstyling License

Looking for the perfect career? If you:

• Are fueled by creativity
• Love the idea of socializing at work
• Want to help people feel better about themselves
• Like the idea of flexible hours and fun working environments

the Hairstylist occupation could be the right path for you! The Alberta Learning Information System has a great breakdown of this exciting career. Before you jump right in, you have two primary options to consider. In Alberta, Hairdressing is considered a Red Seal Journeyman Trade. This means higher standards in Alberta for Hairstylists. Certification is based on education and hours worked in the salon.

Option One: The Apprenticeship Program

The Apprenticeship path will take you two years to complete. This includes a minimum of 1400 hours of on-the-job training and 10 weeks of technical training each year (20 weeks total). The benefit of this route is the cost effectiveness and the real life, hands on training.

Steps to obtaining your apprenticeship

1. Secure a job in a salon. This could be getting hired as a salon technician, receptionist, or retail specialist. Your supervisor should be a Journeyman Hairstylist to train you and confirm your hours worked. 2. After securing employment, you may apply to be a Registered Apprentice in Alberta. Once you have completed your application and pay the $35 registration fee, you may be issued an Apprenticeship Card and Blue Book (this is the record log in which your worked hours are tracked). As an Apprentice Hairstylist, you are able to buy product (no chemicals!) from salon distribution centers, and you are legally able to handle the tools of the trade. 3. Your on-the-job hours are divided into two twelve-month periods. During each period, you are expected to complete 1450 hours (this is 40 weeks based on 35 hours a week). 4. Technical training is arranged by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training and is currently offered at DelMar College in Calgary and MC College in Edmonton.

• Your technical training is divided into Period One and Period Two. Both are 10 weeks in length (700 hours total). You may be eligible for financial benefits while in technical training. The average cost of tuition for both periods generally doesn’t exceed $2500. Tool kits would be available for learning purposes only, and it would be your responsibility to invest in your kit for your work experience.

5. Once your on-the-job training, technical training, and corresponding examinations (theory and technical exams for Period One and Two) are successfully completed, you are eligible to take the theory and technical exam for your Interprovincial Red Seal.

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Don’t forget about grants and loans available!

• Alberta Student Aid provides loans and grants to apprentices registered in the Alberta apprenticeship program with Apprenticeship and Industry Training who are attending an approved technical training program as a full-time student.
• The Canada Apprentice Loan is an initiative of the Government of Canada to help complete your apprenticeship in a designated Red Seal trade. You can apply for up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of technical training. The money would be available to help with tuition, tools, equipment and living expenses, to cover forgone wages and to help support your family.
• The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year, to a maximum of $2,000. This Grant helps registered apprentices get started in the designated Red Seal trades.
• The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a taxable cash grant of $2,000. This Grant helps registered apprentices who have completed their training to become certified journeypersons in the designated Red Seal trades.
• Canada Revenue offers a tax benefit for Tradespersons’ Tools Deduction . Apprentices may be able to deduct the cost of eligible tools bought to earn employment income as a skilled tradesperson.

We recommend you review the Hairstylist Apprenticeship and Industry Training Outline and the Hairstylist Exam Outline and the newest updated information for the Apprenticeship Program before you begin your journey.

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Option Two: Full Time Cosmetology Program

Although it is not necessary to attend a full-time program to enter the beauty industry, many cosmetology programs are available for you to enroll in in Alberta before you get a job in a salon. The advantage of this is that you have a wide selection of schools to choose from to ensure you receive the education you require. Full time programs are beneficial to those who feel they need to be trained before they enter the industry. Career training facilities, like full-time cosmetology schools, are independent, private institutions that are regulated by the Private Vocational Training Act. The cost of a full-time cosmetology program in Alberta ranges from $11,000 to $16,000, and generally includes a starter toolkit. These programs can take anywhere from 9 months to 1 year to complete, depending on the facility’s required hours – this is, on average, 1400 hours. The Alberta Apprenticeship Board, however, only requires 1,050 hours from an approved institution. An advantage of some cosmetology programs is the length of time spent in a learning environment as opposed to a working environment. Some participants find this beneficial as they feel they may need more time learning to feel comfortable before they start taking clients. The facility may also teach advanced techniques, outside of what the Apprenticeship Program deems necessary for licensing. Alberta Advanced Education has a great page on what to know before enrolling in a Private Vocational Training School. The Approved Technical Training Schools in Edmonton are: MC College CLI College Est-Elle Academy of Hair Design Eveline Charles Academy

Barbering is not a separate license in Alberta.

It is very important to know that Barbering is not a separate license in Alberta. Although there are training facilities specifically for barbering, you should be aware that a full Hairstylist Apprenticeship (including technical training) needs to be completed for licensing. There has been an important change to note regarding technical trade schools. Previously, on-the-job training hours were credited for completing a full-time hairstyling program at an approved school. As of September 1st 2018, on-the-job work experience credit will only be given on a case-by-case basis. This means that you are no longer granted 1400 hours from your training provider that can be used to lessen your time as an apprentice. Once technical schooling has completed, you still must register as an apprentice and complete 2800 on-the-job hours. READ MORE. Knowing your options will help you make an informed decision regarding your education. For more information on Hairstyling careers contact (780) 604 2772 #103. EXECUTIVE SPA GROUP Career and Employment Centre Alberta Beauty Industry