About this program

  • Credential Awarded: Certificate of Apprenticeship
  • Campus: Welland
  • Trade Code: 332A
  • Delivery Length: 2-2.5 Years
  • Starts: Fall

Overview

Do you have a flair for creativity, a love for style, and a desire to help others look and feel their best?

The Hairstylist Apprenticeship at Niagara College blends artistry with technical skill, preparing you for a dynamic career in the beauty industry. Whether you’re dreaming of working in a high-end salon, launching your own brand, or becoming a trendsetting influencer, this program gives you the tools to succeed.

Highlights
  • Complete 480 hours of in-class instruction over approximately two years, combined with paid on-the-job training as a registered apprentice.

  • Award-winning training with students and graduates recognized at provincial, national, and international competitions including Skills Canada, ABA, Contessa, and Mirror Awards.

  • Individualized attention from highly respected instructors in the hairstyling profession, supported by small class sizes.

  • Hands-on learning in modern, fully equipped facilities that reflect current industry standards and trends.

  • Graduates are eligible to write the Red Seal exam, allowing for interprovincial certification.

  • Career-ready preparation for employment in salons, barbershops, vocational schools, healthcare settings, and media industries.

  • The NC Teaching Hair Salon is an educational salon serviced by students of the Niagara College Hairstyling, Barbering and Hairstylist Apprenticeship programs in the Pavilion building at the Welland Campus.

Career Opportunities
  • Barber
  • Brand ambassador or educator
  • Chemical technician
  • Colour technician or specialist
  • Hairstylist/Hairdresser
  • Instructor or educator
  • Platform artist
  • Product sales representative
  • Salon consultant, owner or manager
  • Social media influencer

The Benefits of Apprenticeship

  • The Province of Ontario is facing a large shortage of skilled labour.
  • A certified journeyperson earns a good wage.
  • Approximately 18 per cent of skilled workers are self-employed.
  • There is, and will continue to be, a demand for highly skilled tradespeople.
  • Majority of tuition for the in-school training is paid for by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

What's an Apprenticeship?

  • As an apprentice, you learn a skilled trade on the job. You work with and learn from experienced workers, and get paid while you do it.
  • You also learn in a classroom from instructors who know the trade. These classroom hours would take place at Niagara College.
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Courses

Term one (2026 Year)
Code Course Name Credits
APPR1160 Ethics, Regulation and Policy 1
APPR1161 Health and Safety 1
APPR1163 Entrepreneurial Skills 1 1
APPR1162 Professional Development 1
APPR1164 Client Service 1
APPR1165 Preparatory Procedures and Treatments 1 1
APPR1166 Cut Hair 1 3
APPR1167 Style Hair 1 3
APPR1168 Permanent Wave Hair 4
APPR1169 Colour and Lighten Hair 1 4
Term two (2027 Year)
Code Course Name Credits
APPR1263 Entrepreneurial Skills 2 1
APPR1264 Hair Additions 2
APPR1265 Preparatory Procedures and Treatments 2 1
APPR1266 Cut Hair 2 4
APPR1267 Style Hair 2 4
APPR1268 Chemically Relax Hair 4
APPR1269 Colour and Lighten Hair 2 4
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Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma, or Grade 12 equivalency AND
  • Employment in the trade
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How to Apply

  1. Find out if you qualify

    To qualify for an apprenticeship, you must:

    • be at least 16 years of age
    • have legal permission to work in Canada (for example, have a valid social insurance number)
    • meet the educational requirements of your chosen trade
    • have a sponsor in Ontario
  2. Find an employer or sponsor

    A sponsor is someone who provides you with apprenticeship training. A sponsor can be a single employer, individual (for example, a contractor) or a group of employers (for example, unions or non-union consortiums).

    How to find a sponsor
    • Guidance counsellor: If you’re in high school, ask your guidance counsellor for advice and referrals for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and other programs (Specialist High Skills Major, dual credit program.)
    • Online: Visit the job bank to post your resume and availability for apprenticeship in your chosen trade.
    • Employment Ontario: EO offers employment services and training opportunities, like matching apprentices to sponsors. Find an EO location.
    • Unions or trade associations: Many trades have unions or associations with resources to find and match apprentices to sponsors.
    • Local companies: Research local companies in the skilled trades. Try your local online resources, newspapers, or other directories.
    • Your network: Ask around to see if anyone you know is in the skilled trades, and if they are hiring or know someone who is hiring.
  3. Apply for an apprenticeship
    If you're 18 years or older

    You can apply online. You must complete the application in one session. It takes about 10 minutes to complete.

    If you're 16 or 17 years old

    You must download a paper application. Instructions: Save the application to your computer; fill out the application; print the application and sign it; get your parent or guardian and your sponsor to sign it; mail (or submit it in-person) the completed and signed application to your local Employment Ontario apprenticeship training office.


    Skilled Trades Ontario will review your application and let your sponsor know whether or not your application was approved.

    Note: You can change your sponsor later.

  4. Sign a training agreement

    If your application is approved, the ministry will:

    1. Create a training agreement for you and your sponsor to sign.
    2. Approve the signed agreement.
    3. Register your apprenticeship training.

Important: Once you have received your “Offer of Classroom Training Letter” from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development – Apprenticeship Office, you must complete the registration process by contacting Niagara College at [email protected].


The information on this page was sourced from https://www.ontario.ca/page/start-apprenticeship.

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The Hairstylist Apprenticeship at Niagara College is one of the best programs in Canada. As an apprentice and student, you definitely experience the NC difference. This program has many benefits for apprentices who are entering the hairstyling industry. It offers its students the opportunity to learn about the latest hairstyling techniques following the Ontario Ministry curriculum. Students learn the theory behind hairstyling and also receive hands on learning in the classroom. The apprenticeship program at Niagara blends theoretical and practical knowledge in the classroom and at the Niagara Hair Salon. Over time, students are able to utilize these skills within their workplace. During this program, students have the opportunity to work in a salon, receive on-the-job training and attend school all at the same time in order to complete their apprenticeship.

Melissa Del Col, program graduate

The program is practical due to its affordable price with majority of tuition costs covered by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. The small price students pay for tuition gives young adults the equal opportunity to start their careers as hairstylists. Upon completion of the apprenticeship, students obtain their certificate of apprenticeship and are able to pursue employment in this trade as a fully licensed stylist. Another benefit this program offers is the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant which an apprentice can apply for upon completion of their first or second year/level (or equivalent) of an apprenticeship program.

Melissa Del Col, program graduate

The professors at NC are highly experienced and supportive and teach the hairstyling trade to its fullest capacity. They want nothing more but to see their students succeed and have just as much a passion for hairstyling as their students do. It shows through their instruction both in the classroom and NC Teaching Hair Salon. The instructors are highly respected by their students and other professionals in the hairstyling industry. This is also beneficial to the new apprentices because they have the opportunity to learn and work with different people within the hairstyling profession. The professors are inspiring to their students and are one of the reasons why this program is so successful. Students at Niagara College really do experience the NC difference while taking this program.

Melissa Del Col, program graduate
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