Beauty academy students learn hands-on & online over the last year

The pair started at the beauty academy last March just before COVID hit.

The academy switched to online learning, and from there, they did everything they could virtually with hair and aesthetics.

“It was quite a process and struggle to try to get used to doing everything over Zoom. And everything going on in the world, you’re not sure and it’s hard to focus but it was actually really good,” Jacy told Chat News.

With restrictions and shutdowns, Jacy graduated this April, an extra two months of the program’s regular schedule.

She was also able to land a hairstyling job in the city.

Though Jacy made it through the online classes, it’s a hands-on industry.

Students practice on both mannequins and clients that come into their studio.

“You’re not sure if you’re going to be as good as, because we didn’t get as much practice on people, but actually I ended up getting a job right away and I’m actually doing really good at it,” Jacy added.

Meantime, Nisrine continued online learning for the makeup portion of the program.

She is originally from Lebanon and has lived in Medicine Hat for 10 years.

Nisrine waited until she could return to the academy for the hairstyling portion so she could have a more hands-on experience.

“It’s hard for me to do everything online, it’s the talking, and more the language,” Nisrine explained.

Nisrine says she should be graduated by now and she is set to graduate at the end of the month.

But she wants a bit more practice so she feels more confident as she applies for salon jobs.

“I don’t know how it will work because even if I’m graduating, I’m coming back to school to do more on people because we didn’t get enough people,” Nisrine added.

The province’s open-close pattern over the last year also affected the academy’s client numbers.

Nisrine says there was a shortage and they haven’t had as many clients since before the pandemic.

Now at the end of June, the beauty academy is mostly back to normal and students are glad to be in the salon perfecting their skills.

“It’s way better, I like hands-on for hair and everything, it should be on the floor, right?”

by Chantal Wagner

Beauty academy students learn hands-on & online over the last year

Our Community