Hairdresser (Friseur/in)
You advise, cut, colour and style hair: a paid 3-year training leading to the Gesellenbrief and a creative career in a salon.
What a hairdresser does
Hairdressers advise customers on hair care and the style that suits them, wash, cut, colour and shape hair. They also look after beards, make-up and sales.
Advise
Choose with the customer the cut and care that suit their hair, face and wishes.
Style
Wash, cut, colour, wave or straighten hair, trim and care for beards.
Beautify and sell
Tint eyebrows, apply make-up, give manicures, sell cosmetics and hair products.
This occupation is for you if…
- you have dexterity and good hand-eye coordination
- you have a sense of aesthetics, shape and colour
- you enjoy advising and serving customers
- you are ready to work Saturdays, the usual salon day
Less suitable if…
- you dislike constant contact with customers
- you cannot cope with hair colouring chemicals
- you want high pay from the start of your training
A typical day in the workshop
What you will learn, what is expected of you
Technical skills
Hair cuttingHair colouringHair shapingHair and scalp careMake-up and manicureAdvice and salesHygiene and safetyPersonal qualities
CreativityDexterityPeople skillsSense of stylePunctualityHow the Ausbildung works
In Germany you learn by working: this is the “dual system”. You are an employee of a company and a student at a vocational school (Berufsschule) at the same time.
The basics
- Welcome, advice and sales
- Washing and caring for hair
- Classic cuts
Techniques
- Shaping hair
- Colouring techniques
- Exam part 1
Specialisation
- Make-up and manicure
- Option chosen in the contract
- Part 2 of the final exam
Exams and qualification
The Gesellenprüfung (journeyman's exam) has two parts. Part 1, in the middle of the second year, covers basic hairdressing work and counts for 25%. Part 2, at the end of training, counts for 75%: hairdressing and cosmetic services, techniques, organisation, economics. Qualification: the Gesellenbrief, issued through the Chamber of Crafts (HWK).
What you need to apply
Education level
German level
Physical fitness
Documents to prepare
- CV and cover letter in German
- Translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts
- German B2 level certificate
Advantages and difficulties
Advantages
- Paid training from the first year
- Creative work, visible results every day
- Gesellenbrief recognised across Germany
- Options: make-up, colouring, long hair styling
Difficulties
- Saturday work is usual
- Constant customer contact, service required
- Training pay among the lowest in the crafts
- Colouring products to handle with care
Where it can lead
Qualified hairdresser
Jobs in hair salons, beauty salons, wellness hotels or film and theatre productions.
Additional qualifications
Extend your training, for example in make-up artistry, to widen the services you offer.
Meister or self-employed
Take the Meister (master craftsman) or open your own hair salon.
Other trainings: Health and well-being
Not quite convinced by this occupation? Here are related trainings in the same field.
We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany
Four steps to move forward, all run by our own structures.
Take the test online or at the office
The eligibility test is done online on our website, or by visiting our Douala office directly.
Take the testTalk to our team
Germany: +49 (0) 7033 694 18 80
Cameroon: +237 622 20 81 64
DZK, our language centre
Deutschzentrum KAGEDEV (DZK) is our own language centre in Douala. Outside Douala: partner language centres, call us to find the nearest one.
AZUFA is always us
AZUFA is our platform: it connects you with German companies that recruit apprentices and follows your application through to the training contract.
Go to AZUFAFrom German A1 to the first day of training in Germany
Each step is run by one of our structures. You keep the same contact from start to finish.
- 1
Check my eligibility
The test is done online on our website or at our Douala office.
Run by Campus Germany
- 2
Talk to an advisor
Review your profile, your wishes and the chosen occupation.
- 3
Learn German, from A1 to B2
Courses adapted to your starting level, up to the required B2 level. In Douala at our own language centre; elsewhere, with our partner centres.
Run by DZK
- 4
Prepare the application file
CV and cover letter in German, translated baccalaureate diplomas and transcripts, B2 level certificate.
- 5
Find the company and sign the training contract
We connect you with German companies that recruit apprentices, and follow your application through to the contract.
Run by AZUFA
- 6
Prepare the visa and paperwork
Support to gather the documents and complete the administrative steps.
- 7
Prepare your departure and settling in
Travel, housing and first steps in Germany: we prepare you before you leave.
Run by KAGEDEV e.V.
- 8
First day of training in Germany
You arrive prepared and supported, with a team that has known you since day one.
Stay informed
Join our channels to receive new offers, session dates and advice. These are announcement channels: no private conversations.
Our structures for this occupation
Our platform for recruiting apprentices and skilled staff from Africa: matching with German companies through to the training contract.
Our own German language centre, in Douala. Outside Douala: partner centres.
Training offers for this occupation
No offer is open here at the moment. Browse apprenticeship offers on AZUFA, or receive an e-mail as soon as a partner company recruits.
See offers on AZUFA →Take this sheet with you
A 5-page document to read offline or show your family: the occupation, the training, the pay and the whole pathway, from German A1 to the first day of training.
Download the brochure (PDF)You may be wondering…
What German level is required?
How long does the training last?
Am I paid during the training?
Where can I take the eligibility test?
Where can I learn German?
What is a “Gesellenbrief”?
What is an optional qualification unit?
Ready to find out whether this occupation is for you?
Take the test online or come and see us at the office. We are by your side from day one until you arrive in Germany.