PVSS Hairstyling: Cutting Edge of Excellence
PVSS’s Hairstyling program is one of the best in the province if recent statistics are any indication.
PVSS Program Teacher “Madame” Jaime Russell has revealed at a program spotlight this week that recent program testing has the class average at 81 per cent, well above the BC average. The test is for students to move towards their red seal in hairstyling to be accredited to cut hair across the country or around the world.
Nearly 30 students from across SD83 and Vernon’s SD22 took in the spotlight to learn more about the program and to actually do some hands-on work with the mannequin heads. Students rotated around nine stations learning about and participating in different skills such as braiding, twisting, fingerwaves, foiling and balayage, blow drying, shampooing and learning about different salon jobs. The full-year program begins in the 2nd semester of a student’s grade 11 or 12 year or possibly the year after graduation as long as they don’t turn 20 years of age by the end of their studies. Upon course completion, students receive 36 high school credits towards graduation and, if they pass their final test, a level one foundations certificate on route towards a red seal in hairstyling.
One of the great things about the program is that qualifying students can get these credentials tuition-free. Students do have to purchase a hairdressing kit valued at over $1,300 but that is still a bargain. A standard hairstyling school can cost a student and their family $16,000 in tuition and their professional kit which can be over $2,000.
The next cohort will be chosen for the 2024/25 school year by this spring. For those interested in applying to the program, you can contact your school’s career coordinator to get an application. You will also have to go through an interview process as well before being accepted. If you wish more information about this program or other trades-based programs, feel free to contact SD83 Trades and Transitions Coordinator Michelle Hall at mihall@sd83.bc.ca. If you wish to learn more about career programs in general or other dual credits, don’t hesitate to reach out to George Richard via text or phone at 778-824-1188 or email grichard@sd83.bc.ca.