The Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Dr Blade Nzimande on the occasion of the launch of the Hairdressing Occupational Certificate as a fully funded programme at Technical and Vocational And Training Colleges
Programme Director: Deputy Director General, Mr Sam Zungu;
Director General of Higher Education, Dr Nkosinathi Sishi;
QCTO CEO, Mr Vijayen Naidoo;
The Acting Head of Indlela and Head of NAMB, Mr Jowie Bopape;
Chairpersons and CEOs of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs);
The Hairdressing Industry Representatives;
Representatives of the Employers Association for Hairdressing and Cosmetology of South Africa;
Members of the Bargaining Council for Hairdressing, Cosmetology, Beauty and Skincare;
Representatives of TVET CGC, SAPCO, SAVETSA and Organised Labour;
DHET and TVET College Officials;
Members of the media;
Distinguished guests;
Ladies and gentlemen
Good day
Today marks a significant milestone as I launch the Hairdressing Occupational Certificate as a fully funded programme at TVET colleges.
Background
When it comes to South Africa, hair is big and lucrative business, it is estimated that the hairdressing sector contributes over R24.8 billion.
There is an estimated 3 000 Caucasian hair salons and about 34 000 Afro salons in the country.
I must say that there are a lot of hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists who offer a variety of hair and beauty services. however, the majority of our South Africa black youth plays a very small role in this industry.
This is as a result of their lack of formal training to offer such a service. They youth continue to get undervalued and exploited regardless of their services they offer and their lack of professional equipment’s and products to conduct this type of business.
I must indicate that in a country such as ours, where in terms of the results of the Quarterly Labour Force Survey (QLFS) indicates that the number the youth remain vulnerable in the labour market, with the first quarter of 2023 results showing that the total number of unemployed youth (15-34 years) increased by 241 000 to 4,9 million, we have to seize all opportunities available to create sustainable jobs.
This massive hairdressing industry can create lots of jobs and opportunities for our youth and improve the livelihoods of their families.
As this government and our Higher Education and Training sector, we now have taken a conscious decision to formalise skills training in the hairdressing by using of Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges to offer a Hairdressing Occupational Certificate as a fully funded programme.
This programme has the potential to create employment and business opportunities for our youth including those in rural and our township.
Given that the South African market is one of the leading emerging economies on the African continent there is potential for high growth.
The cosmetic and personal care industry sector in the country has been growing steadily for the past years, thus opening a hair and beauty salon is a good investment.
It is safe to say that everyone from all walks of life needs their hair taken care of.
As the population increases along with rising living standards, children, students, adults, and their families seek professional hair stylists and beauticians.
Everyone wants to look beautiful and smart, but it is for this reason that all our youth who wants to venture into this programme needs to learn various hairstyles and creative ways to style hair.
As such, studying or setting up a hair & beauty salon business in South Africa will be a profitable venture.
I therefore call upon all of our youth to register for this programme commencing in the 2024 TVET academic year to further their skills and knowledge in this hairdressing sector.
About the programme
Ladies and gentlemen
Our Hairdressing Occupational Certificate is meant for all young people in South Africa who wants to pursue a qualification in as a hairdressing in South Africa.
Any person who intends to study for this programme must first be accepted for study at any TVET college in South Africa.
For this Hairdressing Occupational all our prospective students will receive a full tuition fees payment including the hairdresser equipment.
Our TVET Colleges will receive funds as part of the programme costs- to renew equipment in their training salons. This is to ensure that the salons at the college, are continuously maintained and fully functional at all times.
This will also ensure that students get practical training and in workshops that are properly maintained.
Upon completion of their studies, students will be provided with all the basic equipment’s they will require to start their own business.
In each year of study, our Colleges will also receive funding to purchase new Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) for students.
I must upfront indicate that these PPE’s will have the logo of the Department of Higher Education and Training and their College of study.
With this type of branding, our intention is to market our TVET colleges so that our students when working with different clients in salons, must represent the brand of our Department and that of our colleges.
Furthermore, as part of their curriculum, our students will receive training in customer service as a full complement to professionalise their skills. I am also hoping that this programme will also include basic entrepreneurial skills.
DHET commitment to advance Occupational programmes
Ladies and gentlemen
Occupational programmes, such as hairdressing, are part of my Department’s vision of providing a differentiated and fully-inclusive post-school system that allows South Africans to access relevant post-school education and training.
We are doing this by developing a capable, well-educated and skilled citizenry who are able to compete in a sustainable, diversified and knowledge-intensive international economy, which meets the development goals of our country.
Our well-renowned Centres of Specialization are one such success in achieving our vision as a Department.
Through our Centres of Specialization, we have piloted the implementation of 13 trades at our selected TVET colleges.
This is based on the dual system approach, where student moves between the college and the workplace.
Today I can confidently say that this Hairdressing Occupational Programme draws on the good work we are doing through our Centres of Specialisation.
Through this Hairdressing Occupational Programme, we will have students doing their theory and practicals at our college, in fully accredited salons.
Our salons will be accredited to offer both the full 3-year Occupational Certificate and the six (6) QCTO Hairdressing Skills Qualifications.
During the course of their studies, students will be placed at approved workplaces, for a minimum of two days a week.
As we may know, occupational qualifications require an integration of theory, practice and work experience for a given topic.
This is good news that we all must welcome!!!
Achievements to implement the programme
Ladies and gentlemen
Less than a year ago, at our strategic planning workshop, I made the request for my Department of Higher Education and Training to investigate the underutilization of hairdressing salons at some of our TVET colleges.
Not only did the Department get to understand the cause of the under-utilisation of the salons but they came up with a plan on how to assist our colleges to fully utilize the infrastructure as it existed in many of our TVET colleges.
I want to acknowledge the hard work put in by my Department, particularly the TVET Branch and colleges in getting TVET colleges ready to roll out this programme.
Today I am pleased to announce that seventeen (17) colleges at nineteen (19) sites, in all nine (9) provinces have been fully accredited by the QCTO to offer this curriculum as from January 2024.
This is indeed a great accomplishment in such a short space of time.
I am also pleased to announce that thirty-two (32) of our other colleges have begun the process to get their colleges accredited and are planning to offer the programme in January 2025.
Ladies and gentlemen, this marks a significant milestone not only for our TVET sector, but for our country.
No longer will we have to depend on a small pool of qualified hairdressers for Afro styling – most of whom received their qualifications in neighbouring countries.
Of the few qualified hairdressers in South Africa, an even smaller number of them are Afro Hairstylists that trained in South Africa.
Having said that, we however must ensure that we train our students all hair type to ensure that they reach out to a wider market in South Africa.
The QCTO must ensure that all hairstyles are included in the curriculum so that our students should not only focus on Gents, Caucasian and Afro hair only.
Off course, South Africa and Africa’s popular Afro hair styles such as breading, weaving, dreadlocks etc, must remain an integral part of the curriculum so that our students acquire these skills as part of our curriculum.
I also urgent the TVET branch and our colleges to work together to expand these offerings into beauty therapy, which is something that is hugely in demand but largely offered through private entities and colleges. There is absolutely no reason why we cannot offer these and related programmes in our public institutions!
Lecturer capacity development
Ladies and gentlemen
I want to acknowledge the enthusiasm shown by some qualified hairdressing lecturers who have been part of this programme even though they are teaching other subjects as well.
I must say that we further need their skills and undivided attention to teach our students on this hairdressing curriculum.
I however, would like to implore on my Department to conduct an audit of these lecturers’ skills and upskill them were gaps exist.
We must also ensure that there is collaboration between our TVET colleges and our SETAs to ensure that lecturer training is further expanded for the success of this programme.
The TVET Branch must therefore provide me with further details as to which SETAs will be involved and what their roles will be in ensuring that we expand training and our curriculum offering to all our TVET Colleges.
We will also be working with the Department of Small Business Development, which is mandated to lead and coordinate an integrated approach to the promotion and development of entrepreneurship, Small, Micro and Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) and Co-operatives in South Africa. Thank you, Minister Ndabeni Abrahams, for your willingness to partner with us in this programme.
I am pleased to announce that currently two of our TVET colleges are Hairdressing Trade Test Centres and soon they will be joined by other TVET colleges that are in the process of becoming Trade Test Centres.
Our TVET Trade Test Centres will also assist the hairstylists in our communities to become competently skilled. This will further ensure that our TVET colleges build partnerships with local salons.
May I also implore on our TVET colleges to further support our graduates through your Entrepreneurship Hubs and by offering entrepreneurship programmes.
This includes helping them with licensing, insurance and opening up of business accounts for their businesses.
One other important development which is worth mentioning is that South Africa will also participate in the World Skills competition in all the hairstyles and techniques.
This will ensure that our TVET graduates are competently qualified hairdressers who are able to service all South Africans and be competitive at a global level.
A DHET qualified Hairdresser must be a hairdresser that is sought after in South Africa and throughout the world!
Building stronger industry partnerships
Ladies and gentlemen
Building stronger industry partnerships will open up the possibility of further enhancing workplaces for your students.
One of the challenges established by the Services SETA in a study they conducted recently is that there is a shortage of hairdressing approved workplaces.
In many instances this is because salon owners and staff do not have recognized qualifications.
Our TVET colleges should therefore assist salons owners to become qualified by supporting them through the Recognition of Prior Learning (ARPL) process.
I call on TVET colleges, QCTO, NAMB, SETAs, Industry, organized labour, professional bodies, product houses and all other stakeholders to come together and provide the necessary support to make this process a success.
Conclusion
In conclusion, may we together chart a new path for Hairdressing in South Africa. So that when we go to our malls, shopping centres or even in our homes, we are being groomed by a competently trained TVET Hairdressing graduate.
Lastly, let me take this opportunity to thank all who have contributed to this launch. My special thanks to Ekurhuleni TVET College for hosting us, our
entire PSET sector including our quality assurance bodies, our SETAs and our TVET sector and our industry partners. Thank you very much for all your good work and commitment to this programme.
I thank you.
