Who is a hairdressing craftsman?
A hairdressing craftsman is a craftsperson or a worker skilled in hairdressing or a closely related field. Hairdressing can be described as a process or activity that deals with, washing, cutting, arranging or styling hair to improve people’s physical look. Hairdressing craftsmen wash, cut, condition, dye and style hair in order to maintain or change a person’s image/ physical look among other duties.

Other closely related title(s)

1. Hair stylist
2. Beautician
3. Beauty therapist
4. Hair technician
5. Masseurs
6. Barber

What is the work environment?
Hairdressing craftsmen/ hairdressers generally work indoors in areas such as salons, barbershops, spas and hotels among others areas.

Some important skills to have
In order to perform their duties effectively, hairdressing craftsmen should possess a number of essential skills and qualities. Some of these include;

1. Good communication skills
2. Interpersonal skills/ able to work well with others
3. Creativity skills in order to offer creative hairstyles to customers
4. Customer service skills to offer pleasant services to customers
5. Listening skills in order to understand to needs of the customers
6. Physical stamina as the work may involve standing long hours
7. Tidiness to keep the work area clean for customers
8. Good time management skills especially when scheduling hairdressing appointment.
9. Among others

What are some career opportunities?
Hairdressing craftsmen/ hairdressers can find work in various places such as; salons, barbershops, spas, luxury hotels, beauty products sales & marketing companies, vocational training centers among others areas.

With work related experience, hairdressing craftsmen can also apply their creativity and start their   own hairdressing and related businesses.

Becoming a hairdressing craftsman

Minimum admission requirements
A Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE), mean grade D (plain) and above is required.

Training & Study options
With a KCSE mean grade D (plain) and above, you can proceed to a Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) college and enroll for a relevant craft certificate course. Craft courses are also offered within Vocational Training Centers (VTCs) within your region.

What course(s) can you pursue in TVET colleges?

1. Craft certificate in hairdressing and beauty therapy
2. Or other similar/ related fields

Education Progression
Upon a successful completion of a craft certificate course, you can advance your education upward (in a relevant field) up to university level if you like. How is this possible?

1. Get a craft certificate
2. Advance to diploma certificate, (in a relevant field)
3. Advance to degree certificate, (in a relevant field)

How to Join TVET College
There are two ways you can follow to join training institution(s) in pursuit of your career of choice.

1. Applying through Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (Kuccps), for government sponsored students.
2. Applying directly to training institution of your choice, for self-sponsored students.

Financial Aid
There are various ways you can access financial aid to support your further or higher education. Some of them are listed below;

1. Apply for education loan through Higher Education Loans Board (HELB).
2. Apply for education bursaries from National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF), from your local Member of Parliament, (MP).
3. Access education bursaries from your County Government.
4. Some corporate organizations, colleges and universities offer scholarships to bright but needy students. Get timely information on these scholarships and financial aid to know where and when to apply.
5. Among other sources.

Important note!
Information provided on this website is for career awareness only, and not for any other purpose.