Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade

Hairstylist FAQs

The trade of Hairstylist is a compulsory certification trade, meaning that to legally work in Manitoba you must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyperson, with a valid Authorization to Practice in the trade.

1. What is apprenticeship training for a Hairstylist?
2. How do you become a registered apprentice as a Hairstylist?
3. How long is apprenticeship training?
4. What examinations are apprentices required to take for certification in this trade?
5. Are there any other licensing requirements?
6. What are an employer's training obligations?
7. What does supervision mean and how many apprentices can be trained at one time?
8. Does the person training an apprentice need to be certified?
9. How do you complete a Report of Hours form?
10. What is the pay for a Hairstylist apprentice?
11. Can overtime hours count towards required apprenticeship time?
12. Is there any information available to help train an apprentice?

1. What is apprenticeship training for a Hairstylist?

Apprenticeship training is a recognized, post-secondary training system that combines on the job practical skills development with accredited institutional training. This process is formalized through an Apprenticeship Agreement between an apprentice and an employer. The Apprenticeship Agreement is registered by the Apprenticeship Branch of Manitoba Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade.

A new regulation for the trade of Hairstylist was registered on May 3, 2006. This regulation introduces a number of significant changes to the apprenticeship training and certification system for the Hairstylist trade. For an overview of these changes, please see the Hairstylist Regulation Update.

2. How do you become a registered apprentice as a Hairstylist?

An individual may become a registered apprentice while enrolled in, or after having successfully completed, training at an accredited institution. They are required to find an employer who will agree to provide practical skills development and enter into an apprenticeship agreement with them. After the Apprenticeship Branch registers the Apprenticeship Agreement, the apprentice must complete the required number of technical training hours (if they are still enrolled in an accredited training institution) and practical experience hours and pass any required examinations. Any hours worked before an Apprenticeship Agreement is registered by the Apprenticeship Branch are acquired illegally and are not counted toward completion of apprenticeship training.

3. How long is apprenticeship training?

In the trade of Hairstylist, apprenticeship training consists of two levels. Level one consists of a period of at least 12 months, during which the apprentice must complete 1500 hours of technical training and practical experience. Level 2 consist of a period of at least 12 months, during which the apprentice must complete 1500 hours of practical experience only.

4. What examinations are apprentices required to take for certification in this trade?

In order to become certified a Hairstylist, an apprentice must complete a practical examination and a final multiple-choice, Interprovincial examination. The apprentice is required to score 70% on each examination.

In two-year apprenticeships, at the end of the first year and completion of hour requirements, an apprentice takes a practical examination and must score at least 70% in each component of the examination. At the end of the second year and hour requirements, an apprentice writes a final theory exam and must score at least 70% to qualify for a Certificate of Qualification.

5. Are there any other licensing requirements?

For the Trade of Hairstylist, the Branch issues an Authorization to Practise with the Certificate of Qualification. This Authorization to Practise must be renewed every two years and must be available upon request at the work site.

6. What is an employer's training obligations?

When an offer of employment is made to an individual who has completed institutional training, the employer and the apprentice complete an Apprenticeship Application Agreement (938 KB). The apprentice returns the application to the Apprenticeship Branch immediately. The employer and the apprentice receive a copy of the registered agreement.

The apprenticeship agreement between an employer and an apprentice is governed by The Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act - Trade of Hairstylist Regulation.

Review the Roles & Responsibilities section to learn more.

7. What does supervision mean and how many apprentices can be trained at one time?

An important requirement of the apprenticeship agreement is that the employer shall ensure that the apprentice works under the direct, on-site supervision of a certified journeyperson, with a valid Authorization to Practise in the trade.

Prior to the new Hairstylist regulation, a certified journeyperson in this trade could only supervise one apprentice (unless otherwise permitted by the Apprenticeship Branch). The new Hairstylist regulation allows a certified journeyperson to supervise up to two apprentices. This 2:1 supervision ratio will expire on April 30, 2010, at which time the supervision ratio will return to 1:1.

8. Does the person training an apprentice need to be certified?

Yes. The person training an apprentice must be a certified journeyperson in the trade of the apprentice and hold a valid Authorization to Practise.

To legally work in this trade, individuals must have a permit, be a registered apprentice, or be certified. If you have an employee who is not certified, contact the Apprenticeship Branch for more information on upgrading and certification requirements.

9. How do you complete a Report of Hours form?

After the Apprenticeship Agreement is registered, your apprentice receives an Apprentice work permit, a blue Report of Hours form, a trade Portfolio and a Pocket Identification Card. To verify the number of practical hours needed for a Certificate of Qualification, you or your journeyperson must calculate the hours your apprentice works and enter these hours in the Report of Hours form. Every six months your apprentice must mail the updated form to the Apprenticeship Branch. After recording these hours, the Branch will return the form. Only the hours documented and verified in the Report count towards the apprenticeship hour requirement.

If your apprentice leaves your business, you, as the employer must update the Report of Hours. The apprentice then sends the form to the Apprenticeship Branch.

10. What is the pay for a Hairstylist apprentice?

The regulations for the trade of Hairstylist state that the rate of wages for an apprentice shall not be less than the minimum wage plus 10 per cent during the first year and minimum wage plus 20 per cent during the second year. Your apprentice begins second level once they have spent 12 months in the trade, and have accumulated the required hours of technical training and practical experience.

11. Can overtime hours count towards required apprenticeship time?

Yes. Overtime hours can count towards the hours needed to complete a level of training. However, overtime hours cannot be used to reduce the number of months your apprentice must spend in each level.

12. Is there any information available to help train an apprentice?

After your apprenticeship agreement is registered, your apprentice receives a trade portfolio. One of the components is a Practical Training Record Book that documents your apprentice's progress. It provides a means of recording trade skills learned as well as all the detailed tasks and sub-tasks that are part of the scope of the trade. You can also request an Employer's Guide to Apprenticeship Training, available by contacting the Apprenticeship Branch.