New Zealand Certificate in Hairdressing (Level 3)

You've got style

Get ready to be a professional stylist! You’ll be based in our purpose-built salon, working with real customers, learning key techniques while you develop your customer service skills and the confidence you need to succeed.

What you will learn

This programme is equivalent to completing the first year of an industry apprenticeship and will teach you key hairdressing skills like long hair styling, colouring, blow-waving, foils, setting hair and an introduction to cutting. You’ll also learn about hairdressing products and how to sell them as well as focusing on customer service, communication and personal presentation.

You will learn a wide range of hairdressing skills at a beginner level including:

• Assisting the stylist during services 
• Professional code of ethics
• Consultation procedure
• Long hair styling
• Hair products and maintenance
• Self-styling: Appropriate hair, clothing, make-up.

Workload & schedule

Our class hours are Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday with additional self-directed learning (which may be spent at NorthTec or on work experience or studying from home). 

The first two terms of the programme (Semester 1) are a mixture of theory and practical focusing on four courses:

The last two terms (Semester 2) are again a mixture of theory and practical and focus on the remaining four courses:

Practical skills are first built on mannequin heads progressing to clients as you build your skills and then onto time spent in the salon working on clients in a commercial salon setting at NorthTec, skill-building and progressing towards final assessments.

Additional costs

• Students are required to wear a uniform, we recommend purchasing TWO at a cost of approximately $100.
• Black pants and closed in shoes are a requirement.
• Kit is included in the fees for year 1 students. Year 2 students are required to add items to this kit (e.g. radial brushes and clippers are two of the items).
• Basic stationery including a USB is also required

These, along with the other items, can be purchased either through NorthTec or by the students however they must be professional hairdressing brands. The GHD company also offer straighteners to students at a greatly reduced price and many students purchase these through course-related costs.

Career opportunities and pathways

• Hairdressing (apprenticeship training contracts)
• Retail sector
• Hairdressing product companies
• Hairdressing technician
• Hairdressing tutor
• Cruise ships
• Film, stage and television
• Hairdressing consultant