Hairdressing? A good career option

The Indian hairdressing industry is growing at close to 40 per cent annually, leading to an increase in career opportunities, not only in salons but also in other related fields like television, film industry, hotels, cruise ships, etc.

The salaries are not bad either. While starting salaries range between Rs 8,000 and Rs 15,000, one can also start one's own business after gaining a few years of experience.

The basic qualification needed for hairdressing are good communication and negotiation skills, backed by training with a renowned salon.

"Since there are very few institutes that train students in this industry, a certificate from a reputed institute really counts," said a student who finished a six-month course at a Habibs institute for Rs 30,000, after completing graduation. She is also employed at one of the Habibs beauty chains in Kolkata.

Picture this. Habibs, the hair styling and beauty salon, has close to seven training-cum-beauty-salons all over India and is planning more. The existing training centres witness 1000 students graduating every year with 300 students per course, eligibility being a basic 10+2 and good communication skills.

Similarly, the VLCC wellness chain, also plans to set up 100 training institutes in three years from close to 11 right now. "More training centres and salons are expected to tap the demand among youth to pursue careers in hair styling and beauty," said Yogesh Sethi, COO of the VLCC group.

Both Habibs and VLCC claim hundred per cent placements for its students in all leading salons of India and abroad. Many of their students choose to open their own business.

"The most important part of these courses is the theory, which helps one get an in-depth understanding of hair and its different texture," said a trainer at one of the Habib's training institutes in Kolkata.

According to him, the course fee could sometimes go up to Rs 1 lakh (Rs 100,000), depending on the duration of the course. While small salons may charge less, job opportunities are brighter at the bigger salons.

According to Sethi, while most students trained at the VLCC institutes are retained at its wellness centres across the country, professional hair stylists should be able to hone certain traits such as good communication and negotiation skills, patience and the ability to build their client base.

One also needs to have a knack for beauty and hair styling and should be in sync with the latest international trends in hair styling. Over the years, one should also be able to bring in innovation and add new styles to his repertoire as a professional hair dresser.