Hairdressing is big business in Malaysia
Lim said the hairdressing industry is a positive
contributor to the economy and it also offers a lot of employment
opportunities.
MALAYSIA's hairdressing industry is worth a staggering RM10
billion a year, Malaysian Hairdressing Association (MHA) president Billy Lim
said.
The figure is sure to shock many, but just think everybody needs a hair cut on a regular basis, and for women and the metrosexual male, there are trimming and styling services (wash, colour and rebonding).
The source of the RM10 billion revenue comes from cutting and styling services (such as wash, colour and rebonding), equipment sales (such as hair dryer, iron and steamer), product sales (such as styling products and shampoo), event services (such as hair show competition and seminar), photoshoot services (such as modelling), education services (such as training programmes and fees) as well as other activities that include setting up the salon (such as renovation, interior and decoration).
Lim noted that the industry has a bright future ahead, with the potential to grow bigger and stronger.
The figure is sure to shock many, but just think everybody needs a hair cut on a regular basis, and for women and the metrosexual male, there are trimming and styling services (wash, colour and rebonding).
The source of the RM10 billion revenue comes from cutting and styling services (such as wash, colour and rebonding), equipment sales (such as hair dryer, iron and steamer), product sales (such as styling products and shampoo), event services (such as hair show competition and seminar), photoshoot services (such as modelling), education services (such as training programmes and fees) as well as other activities that include setting up the salon (such as renovation, interior and decoration).
Lim noted that the industry has a bright future ahead, with the potential to grow bigger and stronger.
However, despite the promising future, Lim said local hairdressing
industry currently faces challenges in terms of financial support and society's
perception towards the profession.
"This is because many of those who become hairdresser are school dropouts or those without higher education," he said.
Therefore, Lim said it is crucial for MHA and the government to educate society that hairdressing is actually a profession for anyone who has a passion in it.
He added that a good hairstylist is a valuable commodity and it is easy to get a job as a hairdresser in countries such as the UK and Australia, compared to other professions.
"We want to gain public respect and recognition as a professional... the public needs to change the perception on the industry. Hair is like a frame to our face." Lim said.
He said it is important to develop the hairdressing industry's infrastructure at this stage. This include setting up hair academy, coming up with standard guidelines for hairstylists and having a government policy on the industry.
In fact, Lim said MHA is working together with the Domestic Trade and Consumerism Ministry to compile a national standard guideline for hairdressing practices.
He said the guideline is expected to be completed by year-end or the latest by early 2013.
Lim added that hairstylists also need to be trained on the latest technology used in the industry and on how to manage the hairdressing business as well as on marketing and branding.
Meanwhile, he said MHA is inviting investors to invest in the hairdressing industry as it is in dire need of financial support to grow.
Lim said the association has ideas and plans to develop the industry, but without funding, they are not able to do many things. "Funding is very important to us," he said.
For example, Lim said, many local hairdressers could not compete in the HairWorld Championships of Beauty due to the lack of funds.
He said hairdressers who are interested to take part in the competition to represent Malaysia need to use their own money for the fees, flight and accommodation.
Lim hopes that the government will support the industry with funding, so that the hairdressers are able to make their names by participating in international competitions such as HairWorld.
"It is time that local hairdressers make their names and show that being a hairdresser is also a good career choice," he said.
"This is because many of those who become hairdresser are school dropouts or those without higher education," he said.
Therefore, Lim said it is crucial for MHA and the government to educate society that hairdressing is actually a profession for anyone who has a passion in it.
He added that a good hairstylist is a valuable commodity and it is easy to get a job as a hairdresser in countries such as the UK and Australia, compared to other professions.
"We want to gain public respect and recognition as a professional... the public needs to change the perception on the industry. Hair is like a frame to our face." Lim said.
He said it is important to develop the hairdressing industry's infrastructure at this stage. This include setting up hair academy, coming up with standard guidelines for hairstylists and having a government policy on the industry.
In fact, Lim said MHA is working together with the Domestic Trade and Consumerism Ministry to compile a national standard guideline for hairdressing practices.
He said the guideline is expected to be completed by year-end or the latest by early 2013.
Lim added that hairstylists also need to be trained on the latest technology used in the industry and on how to manage the hairdressing business as well as on marketing and branding.
Meanwhile, he said MHA is inviting investors to invest in the hairdressing industry as it is in dire need of financial support to grow.
Lim said the association has ideas and plans to develop the industry, but without funding, they are not able to do many things. "Funding is very important to us," he said.
For example, Lim said, many local hairdressers could not compete in the HairWorld Championships of Beauty due to the lack of funds.
He said hairdressers who are interested to take part in the competition to represent Malaysia need to use their own money for the fees, flight and accommodation.
Lim hopes that the government will support the industry with funding, so that the hairdressers are able to make their names by participating in international competitions such as HairWorld.
"It is time that local hairdressers make their names and show that being a hairdresser is also a good career choice," he said.
Source
: New Straits Times
Date
: 28 August 2012
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