HAIRCUT, SIR?

Cue (NZERS), Issue 28, 31 July 1945, Page 20

HAIRCUT, SIR?

TpEW callings in New Zealand today T J offer such good opportunities ’ fm profitable employment, 1 both for the serviceman and the servicewoman, as hairdressing. Men must: always have their hair Cut, their faces shaved, and their razors ground. Women must always have their permanent waves, their hair sets, and/ their ’ facials . And in New Zealand today staffs are not large enough to give them the service they desire. . Excessive overtime is being worked, and customers have to wait. longer . between haircuts or permanent waves than they would like. Any member of the services, who has made the odd lire cutting his com. rades’ hair, or in the case, of ; WAAC’s, setting the friend’s hair for that’ service function might 'find it profitable to consider hairdressing’ as a post-war career. 1 y

There , are no fewer than 1,400 barbers’ shops in New Zealand with from one to five chairs and most of them are understaffed. Even before the war, staffs were 1 i not sufficient, and the position has naturally deteriorated in recent years. Many men well past retiring age are carrying pn until the war is over, so that the serviceman who is interested in the trade as a career is practically assured of employment. ' '

~ It takes from two years and a-half to three years to learn the trade thoroughly, including the sharpening and setting of razors in addition to the normal hairdressing side of the job. Until a man has been in the trade for this time he is not usually considered to be in a sound: position to hold his own as a hairdresser or to go into business on his own account.

Trainees are placed by the Rehabilitation, Department with -employers under the. subsidy scheme at L 5 5s a week. ‘ While younger men 1 are preferred, suitable men up to forty years can be trained in smaller businesses. Although the work entails long hours of standing, it is suitable for men with minor disabilities, \ and is pleasant, clean, and light. .'The hours of work are forty-four a week. Award rates of pay , are quite good. Taking the Wellington 4 Labour District as an example, they are as follows: —Managers, L 7 8s per week; journeymen, from L 5 10s 6d to L 6 4s 6d; -improvers, employed for a further twelve months after serving apprenticeship, L 4 11s 6d; casuals, 3s 64d an hour.

It should not be a difficult matter for an ex-serviceman to set' up in business for himself, if he has the necessary experience. It is considered that the average capital required for chairs, furnishings, equipment, and a small stock is approximately LSOO.

Prospects for women hairdressers are equally bright. The demand for labour is increasing all the time-and, even with the relaxation of wartime controls, it is . considered that the demand will not slacken. The work is pleasant,. varied, and interesting. A pleasant personality is required, and it is advisable for girls to have strong hands and wrists. The hours of work in many salons arc long, with one late might a week. <

. . The weekly wages are as follows: — > Journey women, IA 8s 6d; improvers, L 3 Ils (first twelve months), 14 Is '. (second twelve months) ; apprentices; '.from LI (fir six months) to L2 13s (sixth six months) ; learners, LI 2s.'fid '•(first six months to L2 15s fid (sixth ’six months) ; receptionists, LI Is (first six months) to. L 3 Is (ninth six J months). Casuals. are paid 2s t 6jid an hour, and overtime . works out at Is 9-1 d . an hour for apprentices under twenty one, and time and a-half for adlults. ' These' weekly rates for women hairdressers are plus five per cent, and plus 2s fid. .

Few jobs are more interesting than hairdressing, especially if one is in r terested in one’s fellow creatures. The '■hairdresser, male and female, meets ; all types of people with varying jobs, interests, and personalities. The barber has long earned a reputation for having the gift of the gab, but this is scarcely true of the modern, busy hairdresser. It is an asset to have a

good 'personality and a pleasant manner, but that applies to most jobs. The man or woman who is interested in the trade will find plenty of opportunity in New Zealand for employment and advancement. The facilities for entry into the trade are ’there; so is the possibility of acquiring one’s own business. ... ■’ '.'

. , g||| E.R.S. STUDY COURSES ( ■ ' i '' ■ . " ’ ' ' ‘ I . • The following is a summary of the courses issued .by ERS up to June 30, 1945: — ;

. * — . Department / -v- •' : '' '' Total issufed to 30 June Completed Abandoned , NZ Roll / Deceased Under ■ Action . Courses in Use I? i • , ■ ...... _... Total Issued to 30 June Completed Abandoned NZ Roll Deceased Under Action Courses in Use ■ 5 Agriculture . ' 2118 . 438 ’ 155 514 , . • - * 30 ' - ' V'. <' 981 981 ' Arts ' / ' / 986 69 . 76 174 8 19 659 ■ i'. '>■ i/ 659 ; * . 1 ■ H Commercial ; z x 2400 • 287 .. 224 563 18 7 1308 • 18 ,7’ •/ 1308 Law • 43, 10 1 ■ , ’ 7 ; 1 1 24 Maths, and .Science 1862 326 190 364 ? 12 ' 27 . 970 ' Technology 1 .. < 1727 266 115 352 21 9 973 - . ■ Totals 9136 1396 761 1974 90 63 4915 1974 y 90* 63 ,\ 4915 ,/