Applicants must be at least 17 years of age with grade 10, although grade 12 is recommended. Vancouver Community College offers a 10-month program in hairstyling, which is extended to 14 months for those who wish to receive assistance with English while training. The prerequisites are completion of grade 10 or completion of the College's Lower Intermediate English, respectively. The final portion of each program allows students to specialize in either men's or women's hairstyling. B.C. One approach is to apprentice with a barber for two years.
Technical training is provided on site by the employer.
A second option is to take a nine-month training program at a private barbering school and apprentice for one year. Prerequisites for the apprenticeship in barbering are the same as for hairdressing. Upon successful completion of the apprenticeship, apprentices receive a Certificate of Apprenticeship. They are then eligible to write the licensing examination administered by the Barbers' Association of B.C. Hairdresser and barber apprentices learn to use a range of specialty equipment and products to assist in the treatment of hair and scalp. They receive training on sanitation, personal hygiene and massage.