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Apprentice program at Backstage Hair Salon Oakville
Apprentice Program

Launch your
cosmetology career.

A 12-month structured apprenticeship inside one of Oakville's most respected salons. Earn while you learn, accumulate provincial license hours, and graduate into a real career.

12-Month Program
Paid Apprenticeship
License Hours Included
The Program

Structured learning.
Real mentorship.

Our apprenticeship isn't a generic training program. It's a 12-month journey through real salon work, guided by senior stylists who were once in your position. Every phase builds on the last, so by month twelve you're not an apprentice anymore.

You accumulate qualifying hours toward your Ontario cosmetology license throughout the program, and you're compensated for your time from day one.

12
Month Program
4
Structured Phases
1:2
Mentor Ratio
$25
Add-On You'll Earn
12-Month Timeline

Your journey, month by month.

Four structured phases, each designed to build your confidence, skill, and clientele.

1
Phase 1 · Month 1–3
Foundations
  • Salon orientation & client care basics
  • Shampoo, scalp treatments & blow-dry technique
  • Tool safety, sanitation & product knowledge
  • Shadowing senior stylists on live clients
2
Phase 2 · Month 4–6
Assisted Services
  • Assisted colour application & foiling technique
  • Guided haircuts under direct supervision
  • Introduction to retail consultation
  • $25 Express Makeup Add-On certification
3
Phase 3 · Month 7–9
Supervised Practice
  • Independent colour services with stylist check-ins
  • Building your own client list
  • Handling consultations start to finish
  • Special occasion & styling techniques
4
Phase 4 · Month 10–12
Semi-Independent
  • Full service delivery with minimal oversight
  • Complete provincial license hour accumulation
  • Performance review & future placement discussion
  • Transition to stylist role or chair rental option
Curriculum

Skills you'll master.

Our curriculum covers everything you need to build a sustainable career in the salon industry.

Cuts & Styling

Precision techniques for all hair types, lengths, and textures.

🎨
Colour & Toning

Balayage, highlights, root application, and toner placement.

💆
Treatments

Bond-building, deep conditioning, and scalp care protocols.

🤝
Client Care

Consultations, communication, and building lasting relationships.

💄
Express Makeup

The $25 add-on service, a skill you start earning with in Phase 2.

📦
Retail & Business

Product recommendations, upselling techniques, and basic salon business.

Start Earning in Phase 2

The $25 Express Makeup Add-On is yours to deliver.

Starting in Phase 2, apprentices are trained and certified to provide our popular Express Makeup Add-On, a 10–15 minute application that clients love adding to blow-dry and colour appointments. It's a real, paid service you perform independently, and it's one of the fastest ways to start building confidence with real clients.

$25
Express Makeup Add-On

Available from Phase 2 onward. Performed independently. Builds your client list and your income simultaneously.

Apply

Take the first step.

Spots in our apprenticeship program are intentionally limited. If you're serious about your career in cosmetology, we'd love to hear from you.

Questions first?
(905) 842-0090
PDF, DOC, or DOCX · up to 8 MB · optional
Questions

Apprenticeship FAQs.

Not necessarily, but you should be actively working toward or have recently completed your cosmetology training. We'll discuss your specific situation during our initial conversation.

Yes. Apprentices are compensated for their time, and can begin earning additional income through the $25 Express Makeup Add-On service starting in Phase 2. Compensation details are discussed during the application process.

Yes. Our structured program is designed to accumulate qualifying hours toward your Ontario cosmetology license. We'll work with you to ensure hours are properly documented.

After completing the program, we review your performance and discuss next steps, which typically include a stylist employment offer or the option to rent a chair at Backstage as an independent professional.

We keep the program intentionally small (typically 1–2 apprentices at a time) to ensure every apprentice receives genuine mentorship and hands-on time. Spots are limited.

Ready to Begin?

Your career in hair starts here.

Spots are limited. Apply now or call us to learn more about the program.

Call Us
Book Now