New hair school is wildly popular
Students at Wild about Hair learn new skills. —photo by Jason Carriere
A pilot project for a new hairstyling training school in Cranbrook, Wild about Hair, is taking off. The school came together through the collaborative efforts of the College of the Rockies, School District No. 5 and the Industry Training Authority (ITA) of B.C. The program began in January of 2008 and currently has 11 students who are all in high school. Through the ACE IT (Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training) program, secondary students can earn credits towards their high school diploma and towards a post-secondary provincially recognized trade. Accreditation for the school is received through the ITA and the Cosmetology Industry Association of British Columbia. The College of the Rockies administers the program and the school district provides the building and equipment. “It’s astounding how many people want to do it and part of it is the fact that people don’t have to go out of town,” said Brian Conrad, career education co-ordinator with School District No. 5. As it turns out, the timing of this program was perfect. “Both the demand from the public to get certified and the demand from the industry to hire the people were in sync,” said Conrad. The cost for the program is approximately $5,500 and it takes 10 months to complete. The fall intake—tentatively planned for November—could include adult students as well, depending on the number of ACE IT students who apply. “It’s a very popular program. We have quite . . . an interest list generated already,” said Patty Tanner, the Wild about Hair contact at the College of the Rockies. As of early July, the school is open to the general public. “We’ll be open three days a week for your basic services: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.,” said Tanner. Gwen Stewart, who has 15 years’ experience as a hairstylist, is the instructor of the Wild About Hair program. “I’ve got 11 students and it’s going great,” she said. As for the students themselves, they are thrilled to be getting this opportunity. “It’s been quite a saviour for a lot of them,” said Stewart, “because . . . they didn’t know what they wanted to do; they’re going to be graduated and fully qualified by December, so it’s pretty neat for them.”
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