HITO Hair Career Guide

LOOKING FOR A

CAREER IN HAIR

HAIRCAREERGUIDE

THE OPPORTUNITIES ARE ENDLESS. From barber to manager to editorial stylist,

there’s something for everyone in the hair industry.

CONTENTS

1

About HITO 03

Inspirational Careers 04

BARBER Peter Wells 05

STYLIST Nadine Gratton 09

COLOUR TECHNICIAN Kevin Price 13

BRIDAL STYLIST Amelia Mowat 17

SESSION STYLIST Natasha Boustridge 21

SALON MANAGER Nelson Morrison 25

SALON OWNER Dorien Van Den Berg 29

BARBERSHOP OWNER Max Lambert 33

FRANCHISEE Sascha Armstrong 37

TRAINER IN THE SALON Dionne Hardwick 41

TUTOR AT A PROVIDER Jazz Wells 45

EDUCATOR Kyla Rose 49

HITO BARBER ASSESSOR Merran Kopua 53

HITO HAIRDRESSING ASSESSOR Anne Millar 57

HITO SALES & LIAISON MANAGER Kylie Dalley 61

2

ABOUT HITO

HITO is the NZ Hair and and Beauty

Industry Training Organisation.

We look after apprenticeships and

qualifications for the barbering, beauty

and hairdressing industries. Our team

regularly visit salons, barbershops

and clinics to support employers

and apprentices with training.

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LOOKING FOR A CAREER THAT’S SOCIAL AND CREATIVE THAT HAS SKILLS YOU CAN USE AROUND THE WORLD?

THE OPPORTUNITIES IN HAIR ARE ENDLESS, AND THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.

You need to be creative, have a keen interest in hair and fashion and be a people person. You’re going to help make

people feel good about themselves, so it’s good to have an eye for detail.

You’ll be around people all day so being sociable, outgoing and professional are part of the job.

To start, you’ll need at least three years secondary education and a good level of mathematics, art, and English.

Employers want you to be honest, reliable, punctual and develop a good work ethic.

The first step is to find an apprenticeship. Apprentices work in a real job and learn while they earn.

Learning on the job means you get the best of both learning and working.

Once you get an apprenticeship, you’ll train on the job and it’ll take three or four years.

The ultimate goals are to get qualified and build a strong clientele. On the way you’ll have fun,

work hard, be challenged, laugh, cry and grow into a creative professional.

INSPIRATIONAL CAREERS

BARBERPeter Wells

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A CAREER IN HAIR

SALON: Ali BabasJOB TITLE: Barber and OwnerNAME: Peter Wells

6

I started out as a hairdresser, and then got involved

in barbering. After getting qualified, I bought my

barbershop and now I work as an assessor too. I work

Monday to Saturday and I have three employees.

We all work cutting hair, providing wet shaves and

beard shaping. We’re a walk-in barbershop so it’s always

very busy. My goal is to own several barbershops and

one day own a training academy.

The most rewarding part of my job is passing on the

trade to my apprentices and watching them learn

and thrive.

Meet Peter

“Keep studying – you should study something new every year.”

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I N H A I R

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A R E E R

BARBER

WHAT IS A BARBER?

A barber cuts and styles mainly men’s hair, shapes beards and sometimes does wet-shaving. They mainly take walk-in appointments,

so barbers have to be quick on their feet and service a lot of different clients every day. Barbershops tend to be small, so barbers

also have to do cleaning or answer phones. Barbers normally don’t offer colouring services.

WHAT SKILLS AND TRAINING DO YOU NEED?

A barber should be good with people and a team player. A grasp of basic science and math skills can be an advantage. They should be

creative, interested in current trends, and have good communication skills. Being able to build a rapport with people over a short time is

a great skill to have.

Most barbers get qualified after doing an apprenticeship. A qualified barber will have a New Zealand Certificate in Barbering (Level 4)

or equivalent. Barbers will often continue to work in the same business after they qualify.

HOW MUCH DO THEY GET PAID?

On average, a full-time barber could expect to earn $30,000-40,000 per year. An experienced barber could earn up to $50,000 per year.

A barber who cuts and manages a barbershop can expect to earn $60,000-$90,000+ per year.

THE DETAILS

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STYLISTNadine Gratton

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A CAREER IN HAIR

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I N H A I R

A C A R E E R

STYLIST

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SALON: Ursula Harris Hair DesignJOB TITLE: Senior StylistNAME: Nadine Gratton

I’ve always loved hairdressing. In high school

I had the opportunity to study hairdressing as

a subject, so starting my apprenticeship was

an easy choice. I can’t remember ever wanting

to do anything other than hairdressing.

My favourite part of hairdressing is interacting with

clients and making them feel valued. I’ve never done

something I didn’t enjoy, though, whether that’s cutting,

colouring, or competitions. A career in hairdressing is so

exciting, and there are so many opportunities.

I’ve worked at Ursula Harris for four years. I’ve learned

so much from working with the team, and through

attending cutting and colouring courses. I love the new

challenges I get to take on as a qualified hairdresser,

including international competitions like WorldSkills.

I want to carry on making a career out of my passion

and seeing my clients walk out of the salon feeling a

million dollars.

Meet Nadine

“A career in hairdressing is

so exciting, and there are so many

opportunities.”

WHAT IS A STYLIST?

When people refer to their hairdresser, they often mean a stylist. A stylist works in a hairdressing salon. They cut hair, consult with clients,

and perform other customer service tasks (like answering phones or cleaning). A stylist in a small salon might have to answer the phones,

whereas a larger salon may have a receptionist.

Stylists develop relationships with their clients that can last for a very long time. They understand the latest trends and provide services

that suit their clients. They should have a good understanding of hairdressing skills, from hair-ups to perming, colouring to blow drying.


A stylist must be good with people and be a team player. They need good communication skills and a grasp of basic science and math

skills is essential. They should be creative and interested in current trends.

Most stylists get qualified through an apprenticeship. A qualified stylist will have a National Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 4).

An apprenticeship allows the stylist to work and train in the salon while learning the essential skills and knowledge and building a strong clientele.


On average, a full-time stylist could expect to earn $30,000-40,000 per year. An experienced stylist could earn

$50,000-65,000 per year or beyond.

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THE DETAILS

COLOURTECHNICIAN

Kevin Price

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A CAREER IN HAIR

“It’s so rewarding to know you’ve done a good job and the client is happy.”

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Hairdressing has always interested me.

I loved the HITO Gateway programme at

school, and my Gateway salon offered me

an apprenticeship. I started working extra

Sundays to learn as quickly as possible.

It took me just two years to make it to

Head Technician.

I colour people’s hair, create beautiful blow

waves, consult with clients and sit-in on senior

stylist consultations to learn and help them

with their service. I answer the phone and

make appointments and make sure the salon

is clean and tidy.

The look on my client’s face when I finish

blow drying is the best part of every day.

All the training and work is quite tiring but

I keep myself motivated by remembering that

the more I train, the quicker I’ll learn.

The best piece of advice I ever received

was from my mum, who said to me: “If you

know it’s what you want to do then go for it.

Don’t let anyone stand in your way.”

I eventually want to buy and run my own salon.

SALON: Rodney Wayne AlbanyJOB TITLE: Head TechnicianNAME: Kevin Price

Meet Kevin

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I N H A I R

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COLOUR

TECHNICIAN

WHAT IS A COLOUR TECHNICIAN?

A colour technician is an apprentice hairdresser who assists with colour work. They work in a hairdressing salon. Many hairdressers

do colour and styling work, but you can focus on one or the other. They will do many of the same tasks as a stylist.

A colour technician works with a senior hairdresser on clients. They mix colours and apply them to the client’s hair. They may also

do other chemical work, such as perms, and finishing work like blow waves. Depending on the salon, they may also do customer

service and cleaning tasks.


A colour technician should be creative and must be good with people. They need to have a good eye for colour matching.

They should also have good mathematics ability so they can accurately measure and mix colour.

Hairdressing apprentices are often trained in colour work first. A colour technician must be working towards the National Certificate in

Hairdressing (Level 4). To be fully qualified in colour and styling, they need to complete their entire qualification. They may also have

some colour-specific certificates, usually run by product companies or other organisations.


A colour technician is usually a hairdressing apprentice and is paid as an apprentice. But they can earn around $30,000 per year.

THE DETAILS

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BRIDALSTYLIST

A CAREER IN HAIR

Amelia Mowat

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I N H A I R

A C A R E ER

BRIDAL STYLIST

“There is so much opportunity out there once you are fully qualified.”

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My interest in hairdressing started when

I was young and visited my mum in the

salon where she worked as a hairdresser.

When I was 14 I started asking about

apprenticeships. Next thing I was working

part time in the same salon, did my

apprenticeship, and now I have my own

salon and run a bridal hair boutique.

Through the week I work in my little salon in

Auckland. I have my regular clients and work

normal salon hours. At the weekend I’ll head

off to do weddings, styling hair on site.

I love seeing all the lovely brides happy

on their wedding days. It’s very rewarding

doing hair ups and the creativity it brings

out in you, seeing all the different styles and

working with brides to find that perfect look.

You do have to be very organised, keep

your attitude right and be kind to people.

You need to provide something that people

will love and enjoy.

I love looking at other talented hair stylists

out there and seeing what people create.

Eventually, I would love to do wedding hair

full-time and major in the wedding side

of things.

SALON: Boutique Bride and Le Boutique Salon

JOB TITLE: Founder/Owner/Bridal StylistNAME: Amelia Mowat

Meet Amelia

WHAT IS A BRIDAL STYLIST?

A bridal stylist is a hairdresser who creates bridal party hair for weddings.

They are often self-employed, but can also work in a salon. This involves some bridal work and some regular styling work.

They seek out their clients using advertising or networking. Bridal styling normally involves a lot of seasonal weekend work and travel.


Bridal stylists usually do a lot of hair-up work, but also need a wide range of styling skills. Creativity is essential as bridal stylists need to

meet with the bridal party to come up with a look that suits the bride and her wedding. They must keep up-to-date with the latest trends.

Strong communication skills and empathy are essential.

As weddings can be planned months in advance, the ability to work to a very strict deadline and problem solve

on the run are also an advantage.

Bridal stylists should have their National Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 4). The qualification is the foundation

for all the basic skills necessary to create successful styles.


Bridal stylists often work on a freelance basis, therefore payrates can vary. On average, they will earn around $30,000-45,000 per year.

This includes bridal work and other styling work.

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THE DETAILS

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SESSION STYLIST

Natasha Boustridge

A CAREER IN HAIR

SALON: Blaze/freelance stylist

JOB TITLE: Senior Stylist, New Zealand Redken Artist and Director of my freelancing business

NAME: Natasha Boustridge

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I started on the school Gateway programme and then

did an apprenticeship. After I had qualified, I built my

name by doing competition work. That taught me

a lot of new skills that I use in my salon work. After

doing well in competitions I became a competition

judge which allowed me to travel and judge

competitions in New Zealand and Australia.

I do freelance work and work part-time as a senior

stylist. I’m a member of the New Zealand Redken

Artistic Team and get to work with very talented

people.

No two weeks are ever the same. During competition

season my Sundays are taken up with judging,

competing and running seminars. I work in the salon

Tuesdays and Thursdays and Saturdays. On my time

off I’m either working in my office, on location for a

photo shoot or in a classroom up-skilling, assisting

or teaching others. I also work on hair shows and do

promotional events.

Hairdressing isn’t just a career but a lifestyle I live 24/7.

There aren’t enough days in a week or weeks in a year.

I love achieving my goals and seeing my work in print.

It’s extremely rewarding as you know how much work

went into getting the perfect shot.

For the future, I would love to do more editorial work

and be respected as a leading female hairstylist.

Meet Natasha

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I N H A I R

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SESSION

STYLIST

“You are responsible for your own learning.”

WHAT IS A SESSION STYLIST?

A session stylist is a hairdresser who works on the sets of photo shoots and backstage at fashion shows. Each day is different.

One day they could be working on the hair for a marketing campaign, and the next day they could be backstage at Fashion Week.

Session stylists often have a job in a salon.

Session stylists work with others to determine the theme and look of the photo shoot. They often have to work to a

brief put together by the organiser of the shoot. Sometimes they may have more input into the final look.


Session stylists need top quality hairdressing skills. They must work well under pressure and be able to meet deadlines.

They also need to be highly flexible as session styling can occur in unusual locations at any time of the day or night.

A session stylist should be good at networking as most of their work will come from knowing the right people.

Therefore, being able to make those connections is very important.

A session stylist should have their National Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 4) as a minimum. The qualification is the foundation

for all the basic skills necessary to create successful styles. Experience and a commitment to excellence are essential.

A history and background of creative use of skills is important.


Session stylists often work on a freelance basis, so their pay can vary. They may also work in a salon as a stylist. As a stylist, they may

earn $30,000-40,000 per year, plus up to $2000 per photo shoot (for an experienced session stylist). High profile photo shoots

or campaigns can earn a session stylist considerably more.

THE DETAILS

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SALON MANAGER

Nelson Morrison

A CAREER IN HAIR

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I N H A I R

A C A R E ER

SALON MANAGER

“I love working with my clients; I love doing hair, for me that’s the best part. Make sure you enjoy it. If you’re not enjoying it, it’s going to show.”

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SALON: Moha HairdressingJOB TITLE: Director/ManagerNAME: Nelson Morrison

Meet Nelson

10-20 trips a year. It can be hectic with lots of travelling.

I look for inspiration anywhere I can get it. A few of my favourites are always Sassoon, Angelo Seminara and AllilON.

I’ve found that if I’m feeling flat or a little stagnant, I know I need to push myself again. You never know it all. If you think you know it, learn another way to do it because someone will always do it different to you. That way you can just keep learning.

I initially became interested in hairdressing after talking with a friend in the industry and I never looked back.

I got an apprenticeship where I had good trainers and stylists around to motivate and inspire me.

I completed my Trade Certificate (an older version of the National Certificate in Hairdressing – Professional Stylist (Level 4)) and I’ve updated my skills since. I think we learn the most by working with other hairdressers.

I opened my first salon at 23 with my wife Kylie Hayes. Juggling the salon and raising three daughters can be complete mayhem.

I work four days in the salon (Wednesday-Saturday) with clients. I enjoy all parts of hairdressing, so I do colour work, cutting and styling. There is always something to organise for the salon: answering emails, Facebook, advertising, renovation plans, education and more. I also do part-time education, which involves

WHAT IS A SALON MANAGER?

A salon manager works in a hairdressing salon or barbershop. They are responsible for managing the day to day running of the salon.

The role has a great deal of variety. They may organise team meetings, organise work rosters, and manage staff. They may also run the

business, dealing with emails, social media, advertising, etc. They are responsible for the salon itself, including repairs and restocking.

They may also spend time as a stylist with clients.

Depending on the size of their salon, a salon manager may also be the owner and possibly the trainer as well.


A salon manager should have plenty of previous experience and should have worked in a salon or barbershop regularly throughout their career.

A salon manager must be good with people and well organised. Time management is vital in this job. They need to be good at managing

their own time and managing other people. They should be able to work with a variety of people, and be able to communicate well.

They should have their National Certificate in Hairdressing - Professional Stylist (Level 4) or Barbering (Level 4). Other training related

qualifications are also an advantage, such as the National Certificate in Business (Level 3) with a focus on building teams and offering leadership.


Their salary can depend on their experience in the industry and their qualifications. On average, they could earn $60,000-90,000+ per year.

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THE DETAILS

SALONOWNER

Dorien Van Den Berg

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A CAREER IN HAIR

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I did a management course and it wasn’t

long until I was running my own salon.

I continuously push myself and my team

to learn new skills so we can provide our

clients with an excellent experience. It pays

off and builds our reputation for excellence.

I spend Tuesday – Saturday in the salon,

working as a senior stylist and managing

my team. But once the salon closes I focus

on all the business side of things. I pay bills

and wages, top up stock, check emails, plan

team activities and training – the list goes

on. The tasks of a salon owner are endless,

but so rewarding.

Achieving my goals and watching my

business grow and become successful is

amazing. My team inspire and motivate

me every day, but I have to make sure I

prioritise and manage my time efficiently

so I get the results I want.

I love my job. I want my salon to be the best

place to work for my employees and to be

recognised for providing excellence in the

art of hair.

I’ve always had a passion for this industry and for people.

I left home and school when I turned 16 and finally got an

apprenticeship after dozens of attempts.

I trained in a top performing salon which had high expectations

and invested in training. I became interested in the business

side of hairdressing when I was promoted to floor manager.

SALON: Jomp Hair DesignJOB TITLE: Salon Director/Owner/Senior StylistNAME: Dorien Van Den Berg

Meet Dorien

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I N H A I R

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SALON

OWNER

“Nothing in life is hard - you just have to do it.

If you don’t know how to do it then learn how.”

WHAT IS A SALON OWNER?

A salon owner is the owner of a hairdressing salon. They are often a qualified hairdresser.

The job of a salon owner can vary. The owner of a small salon may work as owner, manager, trainer, and stylist. They perform all of the

business administration tasks, such as paying wages and accounts, organise team building and training activities, and take care of clients in

the salon. The owner of a bigger salon may hire a manager or a trainer to help with these tasks.

Their primary job is to keep their salon running successfully and profitably. A salon owner should have plenty of experience in the industry.

They should have good mathematics and communication skills, and exceptional people and management skills to be successful.

Time management is a vital skill to cultivate as a salon owner. Running any business requires a good level of entrepreneurial, negotiation

and business skills.


A salon owner should have industry experience and ideally experience as a business owner. They should also have experience in

management and training roles – the wider their experience, the better they will be able to understand all areas of their business.

They should have exceptional time management skills, excellent people skills, and good literacy and numeracy skills.

A salon owner will usually be a qualified hairdresser and hold a National Certificate in Hairdressing -Professional Stylist (Level 4).

They may hold business qualifications too, such as the National Certificate in Business (Level 3).


A salon owner’s income can depend on how multiple factors. A successful salon owner could expect to earn $60,000-90,000+ per year

with earning potential limited by salon size, productivity and business success.

THE DETAILS

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BARBERSHOPOWNER

Max Lambert

A CAREER IN HAIR

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H A I R

A C A R E ER

BARBERSHOP OWNER

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SALON: Maxim BarbersJOB TITLE: Barbershop Owner/BarberNAME: Max Lambert

Meet Max

“It’s not what you cut off, it’s what you leave on that counts.”

I love the environment of a barbershop,

and I love the feeling of a fresh, crisp

haircut too.

I completed my National Certificate in

Barbering and spent ten years barbering

in an old-school barbershop. Barbering

is a career worth investing in so in 2013 I

opened the largest barbershop in Hawke’s

Bay region.

I get a feeling of job satisfaction when the

customer is happy with his haircut. I once

cut the hair of a homeless man. It was a

pleasure making him feel like a gentleman.

Mostly it’s my customers who inspire me

with their requests for new looks. But I

love watching Turkish barbers’ amazing

skills via Youtube and following new

trends from the UK and America.

My personal goal is to deliver the perfect

shave. I also want to bring back demand

for straight shaves and good clipper work

in an old world barbering environment.

For my business, it’s all about building up

a busy barbershop and creating a perfect

environment where others can learn the

profession and become true craftsmen.

WHAT IS A BARBERSHOP OWNER?

A barbershop owner owns and runs a barbershop. They usually work as a barber too.

The owner is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business. They organise training, create staff rosters, hire new staff, manage

accounts, and make other decisions about the business. They make sure their business keeps running successfully and profitably.

They may also work as a barber, cutting and styling hair, shaping beards, providing shaves and selling styling products.

An appointment isn’t necessary in most barbershops, so barbers have to be quick on their feet and serve a lot of clients every day.


A barbershop owner normally has industry and business experience. They should also have experience in management and

training roles. The wider their experience, the better they will be able to understand all areas of their business.

They need exceptional time management skills, excellent people skills, and good literacy and numeracy skills.

To train apprentices, a barbershop owner should be a qualified barber and hold a New Zealand Certificate in Barbering (Level 4)

or equivalent. They may hold business qualifications too, such as the National Certificate in Business (Level 3) to help them

become better leaders or manage their small business.


A barbershop owner is likely to earn $60,000-90,000+ per year depending on the size and success of their business.

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THE DETAILS

FRANCHISEESascha Armstrong

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A CAREER IN HAIR

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I knew from 3 years old that I was supposed

to be a hairdresser. With the right support

behind me and inspiring leaders before me.

I eagerly took to all the opportunities open

to me. Having the right attitude and an open

mind has given me much of my success.

I spend most of the week in the office,

planning and preparing for the upcoming

months and attending meetings. I’m fortunate

to be on the floor doing the things that I love

the most: creating beauty, interacting with

clients and working alongside my team.

I like being in control of the ship, but it

takes a whole crew to steer it successfully

in the right direction. You have to value

each client. Uncover their beauty and reveal

how important they are, and you will gain

unbreakable loyalty. It may seem cliché, but

my vision is to change the lives we encounter.

It’s simple: we hold the key to unlocking a

world of beauty for our clients to explore.

SALON: Synergy Wellington and Synergy Queensgate

JOB TITLE: Owner/DirectorNAME: Sascha Armstrong

Meet Sascha

“I just love helping someone feel amazing about themselves. It has to be the best feeling in the world.”

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I N H A I R

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A R E E R

FRANCHISEE

WHAT IS A FRANCHISEE?

A franchisee is someone who owns a business or businesses that are part of a larger group of businesses. There is one parent company,

but all the salons can be owned and run by different people under the parent company name.

A franchisee is a very busy person. They might be responsible for multiple businesses, ensuring each is successful. They can be involved

with the day-to-day running of their franchises, or they can hire other staff to help. They need to put in a lot of work to get their business

started and keep it running according to the rules of the franchise. They have to report back to their parent company on their progress,

and meet the franchise standards.

Franchisees may also spend time in the salon working with clients.


A franchisee needs a lot of experience in the industry or in running a business. So they also need top quality business skills including

excellent time management, especially if they run more than one franchise. Leadership skills are also a must, as they will be making

decisions for a large number of people. They need to be strong communicators and be able to manage teams effectively.

It may be an advantage to have worked for the company their franchise belongs to. That way they will understand the company rules and values.

They may have their National Certificate in Hairdressing – Professional Stylist (Level 4) or Barbering (Level 4).

A business qualification is also a good idea.


Franchisees are business owners, so their pay depends on the success of the franchise. They may earn between $60,000-90,000+ per year

depending on the number of franchises and their success and profitability.

THE DETAILS

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SALONTRAINER

Dionne Hardwick

A CAREER IN HAIR

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A R E E R

SALON

TRAINER

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I’ve always wanted to be a hairdresser. I started

my career at age 15 as an apprentice in Auckland.

I’ve worked in nearly every role in the

hairdressing industry, from receptionist to

manager. This helped me decide that salon

trainer was the role for me.

Being a salon trainer involves a lot of multi-

tasking. I spend time in the office, planning

training for the coming week (and reviewing

training from previous weeks), time out on

the floor with clients, and time training our

apprentices and our team. Our salon is open

seven days a week, so I’m busy all the time. I

also make the time to keep my skills up to date.

I love seeing our stylists grow. Seeing the look

on their face when something finally clicks is

the best feeling in the word. Staying on top of

everything can be challenging, but it’s worth it

to help hairdressers expand their knowledge

every day.

I think everyone should have goals and dreams

and something to work towards. I love what

I’m currently doing, so I would like to continue

training our future generation of hairdressers.

I am lucky to work in a large salon that enables

me to do this on a daily basis, whether it be one

on one or in a team environment.

SALON: Salon One Hair and BeautyJOB TITLE: Manager/TrainerNAME: Dionne Hardwick

Meet Dionne

“If you are truly passionate about something then you will be the best you can be.”

WHAT IS A SALON TRAINER?

A salon trainer works in a hairdressing salon or barbershop. They are responsible for training staff.

They plan and deliver training, organise training days and often organise training outside the salon. They are usually responsible for

training apprentices but may also train other staff. They may also meet with staff one-on-one to assess their progress against training plans.

They keep up-to-date with the latest developments and make sure their team is at the top of their game. They should be passionate about

training and focused on helping others achieve their goals.

Depending on the size of their salon, a salon trainer may also be the manager or the owner.


A salon trainer must be nationally qualified, and must have current and relevant experience. They should have good time

management skills, good planning skills, and good people skills. Creative problem solving skills are also a bonus. Strong verbal,

written and listening skills are a must.

They must have their National Certificate in Hairdressing – Professional Stylist (Level 4) or Barbering (Level 4). Other training related

qualifications are also an advantage, such as the National Certificate in Business (Level 3) with a focus on Teams and Leadership.


Their salary can depend on their relevant recent experience and their qualifications. On average they can earn $60,000-90,000+ per year.

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THE DETAILS

TUTORJazz Wells

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A CAREER IN HAIR

SALON: VardaJOB TITLE: Hairdressing TutorNAME: Jazz Wells

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Meet Jazz

I fell in love with hairdressing when I did a make-up course

that had some hairdressing elements. My tutor was a huge

inspiration. I got an apprenticeship and worked my way up

to become a senior stylist.

I wanted to move into tutoring, so I contacted HITO to find out what I needed. They suggested doing some unit standards, so I signed up with the Open Polytechnic while I was still working full-time.

It gave me insight into what tutoring would be like. I applied for a vacancy at Waikato School of Hairdressing and got the job.

I’m usually busy all the time. Most days I have to deliver theory and practical lessons, then there are assessments to mark and future lessons to plan.

Learners can be hard on themselves if they don’t achieve straight away. I have to remind them that it’s going to be hard before it gets easy. I love seeing learners overcome obstacles and watching when they “get it”. Seeing their pride grow as they develop is very rewarding.

My Academic Manager, Heidi Christian, is the most patient and positive person I have met. She has a wealth of knowledge with a deep sense of creativity and passion for hair.

I spend time on my professional development in hairdressing and education. I want to continue to do the best that I can and inspire as many people as I can, just like I was inspired by my tutor.

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I N H A I R

A C A R E ER

TUTOR

“I love seeing learners overcome obstacles and watching when they ‘get it’.”

WHAT IS A TUTOR?

A tutor teaches hairdressing or barbering skills, often at a training provider or school. They will teach a mixture of practical and theory skills.

Students at these schools often go on to work in the industry and gain their National Certificate in Hairdressing – Professional Stylist

(Level 4) or Barbering (Level 4) through an apprenticeship.

They also mark assessments and plan lessons. The skills to deal with a range of people are a must, as tutors have to work with students,

parents, and fellow staff. They also continually undergo professional development to keep up-to-date with the latest industry knowledge.


A tutor must have a minimum of seven years’ experience in their industry. They should be patient, and have good communication skills.

Their practical skills should be strong too. They should be good at problem solving and approaching problems from different angles.

A tutor will hold a qualification in their industry – a National Certificate in Hairdressing – Professional Stylist (Level 4) or a National

Certificate in Barbering (Level 4). They will also need to complete Unit Standards 4098 and 11552 – HITO can help you to gain these.

They may also gain a qualification in Adult Education.


Their salary can depend on their experience in the industry and their qualifications. On average they earn $40,000-60,000 per year.

THE DETAILS

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EDUCATORKyla Rose

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A CAREER IN HAIR

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I N H A I R

A C

A R E E R

EDUCATOR

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I have always been interested in creative industries.

My interest in hair started at a young age when I was

keen to cut everyone’s hair in the neighbourhood.

After working part-time after school in a hair salon,

I decided to do an apprenticeship. Four years later I

qualified and set off to London to work. I worked on

a cruise ship for ten months before moving back to

London, working as a hairdresser and doing freelance

work. When I came back to New Zealand, I joined

Servilles as a Tutor and eventually became Creative

Director of Servilles Academy and the Artistic team.

This enabled me to share knowledge with tutor

training, staff training and academy students.

Then I packed my bags and was off to live in New York.

It was the best part of my career. I managed to work

with incredible hairdressers, designers and celebrities.

My freelance career grew rapidly and I went from

doing the hair on a dental floss commercial to

working at New York Fashion Week to doing hair for

Tom Ford and his preview collection private viewing.

A good proportion of my role is working in-salon,

developing courses, training with technical educators

and artists and creative planning. But the most

rewarding part is making a difference in hairdressing

education and changing people’s lives.

I absolutely love this career and want to continue my

role in education and development.

EMPLOYER: Redken

JOB TITLE: National Education Manager

NAME: Kyla Rose

Meet Kyla

“Be professional, do great hair, have fun!”

WHAT IS AN EDUCATOR?

An educator is a hairdresser (usually) who provides education for others in the industry.

Educators often work for product companies, develop training courses and then offer them to the industry. They usually train salons

associated with their product company. They are sometimes called a ‘product company technician’.

Educators can also work independently. Their job is similar as they create courses and then offer them to the industry,

but they are not affiliated with a product company.


Educators should have strong hairdressing or barbering skills. They need to understand the industry in which they are educating people,

and having a wide range of experience is also an advantage.

They should have their National Certificate in Hairdressing – Professional Stylist (Level 4) or Barbering (Level 4) as a minimum. It is also a

good idea to complete some courses in adult education and creating learning resources.


Educators earn around $50,000-90,000+ per year.

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THE DETAILS

BARBERASSESSOR

Merran Kopua

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A CAREER IN HAIR

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On a Monday, I schedule assessments

and interviews, go to the HITO office

and complete Gateway and apprentice

assessment marking. For the rest of the

week I work in the salon, servicing clients

and training apprentices. On Sundays I

rest, although I often have to oversee final

assessments on this day too. Sometimes

my job can involve a lot of travel. Spending

four hours in the car can be hard for

someone who is used to being on their

feet all day.

Seeing apprentices completing their final

assessment is amazing. It’s so rewarding

to see the joy and relief on their faces and

knowing you have guided them and given

them the best information and advice.

If the people you work with can’t teach

you something then you can always find

further training and education outside your

own salon or barbershop. I’m most inspired

by people who are passionate about our

wonderful industry. So many people are

willing to share their knowledge and are

great believers in apprenticeship.

I just want to be able to keep giving

people great hair and keep the standards

at a high, professional level.

I started on a course in 1993 and then went on to an

apprenticeship in hairdressing. I decided to do my barber

qualification in 2009. I worked at CPIT (Christchurch Polytechnic

Institute of Technology) overseeing learners, and I completed

my assessor units. Working with Niq James at his salon in

Christchurch, he encouraged me to do my certificate in barbering.

After qualifying in 2012 I decided to become an industry assessor.

SALON: HITO/Vogue Hair and Barbers

JOB TITLE: Assessor/Barber/Senior StylistNAME: Merran Kopua

Meet Merran

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I N H A I R

A C

A R E E R

BARBER

ASSESSOR

“I love learning the new techniques for cutting and

colouring. I don’t want to have someone ask me for something

I don’t know how to do.”

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WHAT IS A HITO BARBER ASSESSOR?

A HITO Barber Assessor is contracted to HITO. They oversee assessments for HITO trainees.

Assessors travel and undertake assessments in salons. They observe HITO trainees completing assessments and decide

whether they have provided enough evidence. They are responsible for overseeing the final assessments that all apprentices

must complete before they become fully qualified. There is quite a bit of paperwork to complete.


Assessors must have experience in the industry they are assessing in.

They need to be organised and have good time management skills to make sure they attend all assessments and return paperwork

quickly. They should have good communication skills. They must always be up-to-date with developments in barbering education.

Assessors must have their New Zealand Certificate in Barbering (Level 4) or equivalent and also have achieved two assessing unit standards.


A barber assessor will usually work as a barber as well. Their pay can range from $40,000-60,000 per year. This salary comes

mainly from their work as a barber, although they are paid for each assessment they assess for HITO.

THE DETAILS

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HAIRDRESSINGASSESSOR

Anne Millar

A CAREER IN HAIR

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I N H A I R

A C A R E ER

HAIRDRESSING ASSESSOR

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I started working in hairdressing in my

holidays and Thursday nights while I was

at school. I then did an apprenticeship in

Hamilton. I went from an apprenticeship

to competitions, salon manager to owner.

As a salon owner, I also train apprentices

and assess them too.

The average week is very busy. I spend time

travelling around Auckland, performing

assessments for and liaising with HITO.

When I’m not assessing, I work as a stylist

in my salon and train apprentices.

I love watching apprentices pass their

assessments. It’s wonderful to see them

achieving the skills they need to succeed.

My goal is to keep on training my apprentices

to be as good as they can be.

“Practice and be confident.”

NAME: Anne Millar

SALON: Headquarters Remuera

Meet Anne

JOB TITLE: Salon Owner and Industry Assessor

WHAT IS A HAIRDRESSING ASSESSOR?

A Hairdressing Assessor is contracted to HITO and oversees hairdressing assessments for apprentices. Assessors travel to do assessments

in salons. They observe apprentices as they do assessments and decide whether they have provided enough evidence to to complete

the unit they are being assessed on. They’re responsible for overseeing the final assessments that all apprentices have to complete

before they become qualified.


Hairdressing assessors must have experience in the hairdressing industry and the national hairdressing qualification. They must be

organised and have good time management. They must be able to communicate well and be up-to-date with developments in hairdressing

education. Assessors are motivated by their passion for their chosen industry and to help those who work in it.

Hairdressing assessors must have their National Certificate in Hairdressing – Professional Stylist (Level 4) or equivalent. They also need

to have achieved unit standards related to assessing.


Assessors are paid per assessment. A HITO Hairdressing Assessor will normally work as a hairdresser or salon owner as well as an assessor,

so their main income will come from their hairdressing work.

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THE DETAILS

SALES ANDLIAISON

MANAGERKylie Dalley

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A CAREER IN HAIR

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At HITO I visit all hairdressing, beauty, nail,

barbering, and business trainees several

times per year. I monitor the apprentice

training they receive and their work and

assessments at their training provider. During

a visit we also set a new training plan (a

plan to work towards over the next three

months). I regularly meet with employers

to discover how things are going for them

and look for ways to support their business

through training. I also liaise with training

providers, arrange classes, sign up new

apprentices, attend meetings, organise

off job training classes, visit high schools,

attend career expos, and there is some

administration work too.

A highlight of my job is delivering the National

Certificates to recent graduates. It’s also

wonderful getting to know a new apprentice

and watching their confidence grow.

The hardest part is working with the

constantly changing obligations,

policies and procedures of government

departments. This was a new thing for me.

I’m always inspired by the trainees I meet who

work so hard towards their goals, achieving

so much on a limited income. I love seeing

so many young emerging stylists who are

passionate about their industry.

I have always worked in the hairdressing industry. I started work experience in my last year of high school which led to an apprenticeship. Being an apprentice, competition stylist, salon manager, business owner, and technical educator gave me a wide range of skills and the ability to relate to and help apprentices, trainers and their employers. Having this experience helps with my role at HITO.

WORKPLACE: NZ Hair and Beauty Industry Training Organisation (HITO)

JOB TITLE: HITO Sales & Liaison Manager – Northern South Region

NAME: Kylie DalleyMeet Kylie

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I N H A I R

A C

A R E E R

SALES & LIAISON

MANAGER

“Choose a job you love, and you’ll never work

a day in your life.”

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WHAT IS A HITO SALES AND LIAISON MANAGER?

A HITO Sales and Liaison Manager is employed by HITO.

They are responsible for looking after HITO trainees (including apprentices, business trainees, and many more).

There are seven Sales and Liaison Managers and they each look after a different part of the country.

They sign trainees into a HITO training agreement and then look after them while they train. They visit trainees 2-4 times

a year to check on their progress and set training goals. They work with employers to offer support around staff training and growth.

They also attend careers expos, work with schools and training providers (like polytechnics), and do everything

they can to promote qualifications. They also do some administration work.


A wide range of experience across the industry is helpful in this role. The more you know about the industry, apprenticeship,

or business, the easier you can help others.

Communication and time management skills are vital. Sales and Liaison Managers should also have the ability to communicate

with a wide range of people. They should be supportive and good at problem solving. A passion for helping people get qualified

and creating a highly skilled industry is also a plus.

A hairdressing or barbering qualification is useful when working for HITO. All HITO Sales and Liaison Managers

engage in on-going professional development.


A HITO Sales and Liaison Manager is paid between $55,000-65,000 per year.

THE DETAILS

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We’ve profiled lots of careers in this guide, but there are heaps more amazing careers out there. Why not think about:

TV Stylist

Product Company Sales Representative

Business Mentor

Theatre Stylist

IT DOESN'T END THERE...

Get started in your career in hair today. Contact HITO on (04) 499 1180 or email [email protected] or visit us at www.hito.orgn.nz for more information or to start

your apprenticeship.

HITO NATIONAL OFFICE

Level 1, 95 Thorndon Quay, Wellington 6011 PO Box 11 764, Manners Street, Wellington 6142

T: (04) 499 1180 | F: (04) 499 3950 www.hito.org.nz

HITO Hair Career Guide

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