Education/training
Preparing for the mane eventAfter studying hairdressing at high school for several years, Melissa Mehew had a pretty good appreciation for her chosen career. Now, as an apprentice at a salon, she's gaining skills she just can't pick up from a textbook. |
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 [ 2002-10-02 ] |
"It gives me the opportunity to go forth with what I want to do while I build my skills," says OYAP student Melissa Mehew.
"I'm finding out how everyone works as a team," says Mehew, a student at Bendale Business and Technical Institute in Scarborough. "I'm learning the importance of having regular customers and how to build relationships so they'll want to come back. It's important to be organized, so you don't get your clients mixed up and so you don't keep them waiting for an appointment."
Since she began studying hairdressing in Grade 9, the 17-year-old has been honing her skills in washing, blow drying, roller and perm sets, colour and tints. When she graduates next spring, Mehew will be well on her way to fulfilling her dream of becoming a hairdresser and one day operating her own salon.
She registered with the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), which allows her to earn credits toward her high school diploma while the hours she works will be applied to certification in her trade. Students also have a chance to earn a salary and receive financial assistance towards the purchase of required tools and clothing.
"It gives me the opportunity to go forth with what I want to do while I build my skills," says Mehew, who is apprenticing at Robin Barker Welspa in Yorkville. "I know I need to complete a lot of hours, but at least I'm getting started."
Her employer, Robin Barker, is happy to help her along that path. "We've all had to do it," he says. "There are lots of jobs in a salon that can be done by apprentices ... It takes a long time before an apprentice can cut a client's hair, but it's a good learning system. You learn from watching. If you watch good hairstylists, you will pick up good habits."
OYAP has earned rave reviews from educators like Bill Brown, head of co-op at Bendale Business and Technical Institute. "It gets your foot in the door and gives students a concrete goal to aim for," Brown says.
Sometimes, that early introduction to a career makes students realize it's just not for them.
"I tell students it's better to find out now when it doesn't cost a cent rather than when you're in college, when you've invested thousands of dollars," Brown says. "If you find out it's not what you want, it's still a success in my eyes."
With a shortage of skilled tradespeople looming, many employers recognize the importance of OYAP and are happy to join forces with educators.
"Most employers are pretty understanding of the need for students to gain experience," Brown says. "Many look at it as giving back to the community."
Students, meanwhile, gain invaluable lessons from the workplace.
"They learn to take orders, they learn a sense of discipline and realize the need to stay focused," Brown says. "A real maturity happens when they work with adults who treat them as equals. A lot of times, kids are growing up in front of you."
(Linda White is a freelance writer based in Brooklin, Ont. and can be reached at linda.white@rogers.com.)
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