Renovations prepare Georgian Hair Studio for new diploma program

July 24, 2015

The program has a full slate of students, along with a waiting list.

Charla Greene, program co-ordinator, is excited about the new program.

“This is good news, seeing as we’ve never had this opportunity before in Barrie,” says Greene. “It’s been a goal of mine to bring the diploma program to Barrie and I see a lot of potential for growth – especially with international students.”

This program covers all of the required skills needed to work in the hairstyling trade. Offered in a condensed format, students complete the diploma in one year. Through progressive levels of theory and practical techniques, the program focuses on hands-on training in hair cutting, styling and design, as well as colouring and lightening, chemical texturizing, permanent wave, and hair additions.

Students will need to complete 2,000 hours of practical work before they can write their provincial exam.

“Since students are required to take general education and communications courses, they will be a well-rounded employee for businesses,” says Greene. Students will also have plenty of practice time in the lab and will spend most of the third semester working on clients in the lab.

Greene says the program will feature guest artists and off-site visits, including a trip to the Redken Exchange – the industry’s leading resource for learning with award-winning artists and the latest techniques – in Toronto.

“There will be lots of networking opportunities and interaction with students from other programs,” adds Greene. “We plan to collaborate with students in digital photography, event planning, esthetics and massage therapy.”

The lab will also be utilized in the evening by students in the Hairstyling apprenticeship program.

The renovation will see the lab size double, with 24 hairstyling stations – complete with new equipment. It will be a full-service working hair salon.

There will be a grand re-launch of the Georgian Hair Salon in October.