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Hair Design - High School

Get a head start in a career in cosmetology!

VCC partners with numerous Lower Mainland school districts to provide exciting career exploration and skill training programs to secondary school students. At VCC, we provide a variety of enrolment options for secondary school students to earn an array of academic and trades training credits. By the time students graduate from high school, they're skilled in a trade and ready to work.

This credit program is offered to students attending secondary school in Maple Ridge/Pitt Meadow School District #42 and Carson Graham, North Vancouver.

Find out more about this program:

Program Description Career Prospects Admission Requirements Program Status

Apply and Register Fees and Other Costs Additional Information Courses

Program Description

The Hair Design Program is divided into three levels and is 10 months in length. The first two levels of this program are designed to cover all core aspects of the industry on a progressive scale, demanding an increase in competence at each level. The final level is specifically designed for the student to complete their chosen course of study. Classes are scheduled Monday through Thursday from 9:00 am to 4:15 pm.

Theoretical knowledge and practical training are covered in such areas as client relations, men's and ladies haircutting, permanent waving, shaving, hair colouring, hair and scalp treatments, facials and manicures, and disorders of the scalp and skin. Salon management, bookkeeping, reception and desk functions, and business services are also an integral part of this program. Upon compliance with the necessary regulations, students are prepared to sit the examination of the Cosmetology Industry Association of BC.

Students receive:

- Training in hair design and styling

- College credits resulting in a VCC Hair Design Certificate

- Work-based hours of training credits towards an apprenticeship

- An opportunity to write the B.C. Certificate of Qualification for (Cosmetologist)

- Secondary school graduation credits

Students who complete both the full-time Hair Design program and full-time Esthetics program are eligible to receive a Diploma in Cosmetology.

Start Length Credential Campus Part or Full‑time September 10 months Certificate Samuel Robertson and Carson Graham Full-time

Career Prospects

Well-trained hairstylists are in constant demand in every community. Graduates specializing in Women's Hair Design who have obtained their provincial license are qualified to secure employment in large or small salons, or they may wish to open their own business.

Completion of the Barbering Option give graduates the skills needed to complete a six-month in-shop training period. Upon completion of this training students are eligible to complete the Barber's Association Exam. The training and practical experience obtained in the Barbering Option gives students the competitive edge needed to succeed in this industry.

Information about graduate outcomes

Admission Requirements

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Exceptions

As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 18 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.

Program Specific

- Grade 10 graduation or equivalent*

- Applicants without Grade 10 documentation require a minimum score of 30/88 on the VCC-ABE Reading assessment, OR for applicants who don't have English as a first language - successful completion of Lower Advanced ESL or a Canadian Language Benchmark of Listening 7, Speaking 6, Reading 6, and Writing 4 or equivalent.

The Hairdresser's Association recommends that all graduates have equivalent to Grade 10 education.

Recommended characteristics

Physical and mental abilities required to perform the daily tasks associated with working in a professional salon including:

- Performing in a busy, fast-paced and stressful environment, strong and efficient organizational skills, ability to multi-task

- Sincere interest in administering personal services

- Interpersonal and communication skills required for providing customer service with a pleasant and outgoing personality

- Good hand-eye coordination

- Manual dexterity and creative ability

- Normal colour vision

- Good depth perception and ability to perceive line and form

- Ability to stand for long periods of time

- Ability to plan and work independently

- Self-motivated and a sense of responsibility

Program Status

Accepting applications

Apply and Register

1) Applicants do not apply to VCC directly. Interested students, teachers and counsellors are directed to contact the Career Program Coordinator or Administrator for their school district.

2) Applicants are required to attend an Information Session at Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary School. Parents and teachers are welcome.

3) Successful candidates will complete a VCC application and register in June.

Fees and Other Costs

Application Fee Tuition Fee No fee $6,057.75

Other Costs

Cost Type Details College initiative fee $90.20 Student union fee $23.69 Other costs This is a differential fee program and tuition fees are substantially higher than other programs. Hairstyling kit and textbooks: $1,360

Additional Information

This program is eligible for ACE IT funding. Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training (ACE IT) is a program of the Industry Training Authority of BC. The ACE IT program provides secondary school districts with funds to pay tuition and other costs associated with industry training. The financial support provided by the ACE IT program may be used by school districts to financially assist individual secondary school students with paying for college while still attending high school. As funding from the ACE IT program may not cover all costs to attend college, students should check with their school or district as to the portion of the fees/costs they may be expected to pay.

Visit the Department website at: http://cosmetology.vcc.ca/hairstyling

Health Requirements:

Some materials used in the program may affect those with sensitive skin and conditions such as sensitivity to latex or other allergies.

Courses