College Diploma - Hairstyling - Accelerated (0397)

As a Hairstyling graduate, the individual is qualified for entry into a hairstyling apprenticeship that leads to a rewarding career focused on helping clients look and feel their best. This accelerated 12-month program grants a two-year Ontario College Diploma and provides fundamental knowledge of hair design through hands-on learning in modern hairstyling labs. Graduates benefit from close collaboration with industry employers, gaining innovative technical skills and exposure to current styling trends. Experienced faculty support the development of individual creativity throughout the learning process. Graduates are eligible to register with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development as apprentices to complete the required on-the-job, in-salon training. Upon finishing the apprenticeship term, they qualify to write the Provincial Certificate of Qualification Exam (C of Q) to obtain their Hairstylist Provincial Licence. The graduate consistently demonstrates the ability to perform all work in accordance with professional ethics, government regulations, workplace standards, and policies, as well as manufacturer specifications where applicable. They facilitate healthy and safe working environments and perform sanitization procedures in compliance with relevant health regulations and legislation. The graduate applies entrepreneurial skills to the operation and administration of a hairstylist business and adapts to evolving technologies, applications, and procedures within the industry, while developing and presenting a plan for future professional growth. They create and implement client service strategies that respond to individual client needs and expectations, and select and administer appropriate preparatory procedures or treatments to the hair and scalp using suitable products. The graduate identifies, selects, and uses a variety of tools to cut hair according to client preferences, and applies standard and specialized techniques to style wet and dry hair effectively. They perform permanent waves using current methods suited to hair type and desired style, and chemically relax hair by applying relevant knowledge and skills to meet client expectations. In addition, the graduate demonstrates competence in coloring, lightening, toning, highlighting, lowlighting, and pigment removal to achieve the desired hair color, and is able to compare and apply various fiber types, techniques, tools, and maintenance procedures when working with hair additions.