What next
So you’ve found a job and been successful at interview. What happens next?
Day one
Day one in your new job will be exciting and scary, just like the first day after school holidays or your first driving lesson.
You will be shown around the salon and meet everyone. You’ll be introduced to your trainer who will do most of your training when you are at work. As you are now an employee, you will probably be asked to fill in some forms:
- Employment agreement (it is the law that you have an employment agreement).
- Bank account details (so your boss can pay your salary).
- KiwiSaver details (so you can take part if you want to).
- Training agreement (so that you can start your training).
NOTE: Your employer may not get all of these forms to you straight away, but you MUST have an employment agreement signed before the day that you start your job. If an employee starts work before an employment agreement is signed then the 90-day trial period clause cannot be upheld. This shows the importance of this document so make sure it is filled in correctly and signed before you/your employee start work. Your training agreement should also be signed in conjunction with the employment agreement. If you sign up for the 90 day trial period, your training agreement needs to be in place before you can receive a training wage.
Week one
In your first week you should now know everyone in the salon and be busy with some tasks. You’ll be busy keeping the salon and equipment clean. You’ll also be helping the seniors and others with their jobs – so you will be learning new things already.
You must have signed and returned your employment agreement by now. Your employer should also have made an appointment with your HITO Sales & Liaison Manager to come and visit so that the training forms can be completed.
Month one
By now you should be in the swing of things. You will be on your feet quite a lot and feeling a little bit tired but don’t let that put you off. By now, you should have had a meeting with your HITO representative and your employer. Your training agreement should be complete and sent off to HITO. You should also have your dates for your Off Job Training.
Year one
You’ve had a busy year. You’ve been learning a lot and you should have completed all of the units for your first year at off job training. You will have made lots of friends and most of the salon clients will know you by name. Your brain will be full and your feet will be sore, but you should be ready now for your second year.
Year two
You have now done two years at off job training and will be busy at the salon with clients. You will be cutting and colouring. It’s been great but you might feel tired and you may be flagging. This is called the “terrible twos” and is an important point in your apprenticeship.
You will start to think that it’s all too much and too hard. It’s important to know that everyone feels that way at some point (even at university) so don’t give up. Year 3 is coming up and you’ll need to keep your energy high. Get lots of sleep and ask for help if you need it.
Year three
It’s the end of Year 3 and by now you may be feeling professional. You should have most of the skills you need. You will have completed all your off job training but you might also be feeling overwhelmed with all of the things that you are expected to know.
Don’t Panic!
What you need now is practice, practice and more practice.
The last year is about building up your client base, practising your newly formed skills and putting them to work in the salon.
An important part of being a professional stylist is to be able to perform a service in a commercial time frame, so you need to be good at everything. The only way to get good is to practice all the time.
The Finals
Remember when your started your first day in the salon? It was exciting and scary all at once. That’s what you will feel at your final assessment. But since you have done lots of practice and got lots of help from your trainer, employer, other students and from your tutors, you will pass this easily.
Your qualified
Well done!
You are now a qualified professional stylist or barber and your national certificate is on it’s way.
What do you want to do now? Check out further education in our QUALIFICATIONS section. Your learning doesn’t need to stop. You’ve got a career in front of you that supports life long learning.
