South Africa is celebrating a significant milestone by introducing the Hairdressing Occupational Certificate programme in Technical and Vocational Training (TVET) colleges. Dr Blade Nzimande, the Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Innovation, has initiated this fully-funded programme to provide formal training in hairdressing and cosmetology services.
The programme carries the potential to empower young South Africans to embark on entrepreneurial journeys in the thriving hair and beauty industry, ultimately generating employment and business prospects. The hairdressing sector in South Africa has rapidly grown, contributing a substantial R24.8 billion to the country's economy.
With approximately 3 000 Caucasian hair salons and 34 000 Afro salons nationwide, the industry holds immense job creation and business development potential. However, most South African black youth have faced barriers to entering this lucrative industry due to the lack of formal training in hairdressing and cosmetology services.
The Hairdressing Occupational Certificate programme is designed to bridge this gap and provide opportunities for young South Africans seeking to obtain qualifications in hairdressing. Eligible students admitted to any TVET college in South Africa will receive full tuition fee coverage, along with essential hairdressing equipment.
Furthermore, TVET colleges will receive funding to maintain and upgrade their training salons, ensuring they are fully operational and equipped to offer practical training in well-furnished workshops. Dr Nzimande announced this ground-breaking initiative during the launch of the Hairdressing Occupational Certificate programme recently.
He shared the remarkable progress made in a short period, noting that 17 colleges across 19 sites in all nine provinces had been fully accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QCTO) to offer the curriculum starting in January 2024. An additional 32 colleges are in the process of obtaining accreditation and are planning to offer the programme from January 2025.
Dr Nzimande emphasised this milestone's significance for the TVET sector and the country. He highlighted that South Africa would no longer depend solely on a limited pool of qualified hairdressers, particularly Afro hairstylists who often received their qualifications in neighbouring countries.
"The new programme aims to address this gap and ensure that South African youth are equipped to serve a broader market, regardless of hair type. The curriculum will be comprehensive, encompassing Gents, Caucasian, and Afro hair, including popular Afro hairstyles like braiding, weaving, and dreadlocks," said Nzimande.
He also called for collaboration between the TVET branch and colleges to expand offerings into beauty therapy, meeting the growing demand for such services. He emphasised that there was no reason why these programmes could not be offered in public institutions, reducing reliance on private entities and colleges.
Introducing the Hairdressing Occupational Certificate programme represents a promising step toward empowering South African youth, cultivating their entrepreneurial spirit, and ultimately contributing to the country's socio-economic development. It offers an opportunity for young individuals to gain valuable skills in a thriving industry, opening doors to future employment and business prospects.
