Education | Refinery House

The Industry Commercial Arts Institute

45896 Alexander Road Chilliwack

We are a Private Training Institute certified by the government of BC, offering a Basic Hair Design Program create to prepare students for entry level positions within the hair industry. You can find the details of the program listed below which were designed by Refinery House Creative Director, Aly McRae. The road to success in this industry can be bumpy and we’re passionate about helping to pave that road for prospective hair stylists.

Our “Industry” location is designed to educate and host appointments facilitated by developing stylists. Click here if you’re interested in an appointment with a supervised student or apprentice.

Spring 2023 Program: Brand new to hair design? that’s the link for our basic hair design program starting in April 2023

Fall 2023 Program: Interested in Hair design as a career, plan in advance and get registered for our fall 2023 program. Accepting applications now.

Fall 2022 Program: WAITLISTED

Apprentice Program: if you’ve recently graduated from a basic hair program and are looking to make the leap to independence behind the chair, this program may be a great next step for you!

We’d love to hear from you! Submitting information via the link indicates an interest in more information, and does not signify registration. To start the conversation, hit that link above or pop into one of our regularly scheduled open houses at “The Industry” (45896 Alexander Rd) to meet an instructor and receive a tour of the education facility and salon:

Tues Aug 30th 10-3pm
Tues Sept 27th 10-3pm
Tues Oct 25th 10-3pm
Tues Nov 29th 10-3pm
Tuesday Jan 31st 10-3pm
Tuesday Feb 28th 10-3pm

Please email [email protected] for any other matters or if you have questions in regards to information posted above

Kit information

Fillable Student Enrolment Contract.docx (3)

4452 – Private Training Institutions Branch Notification 2022.01.12 (1)

Intro to Hair

It’s not as straightforward as it looks. Learn the nitty gritty of the tools in your kit and how to take care of them, the anatomy of hair and the basic philosophy of the best consultation. This overview of this industry, and an in-depth study of the industry’s pioneers and current leaders – who they are, what they’ve done and how they influence the art today.

Styling 101

Learn blowouts, updos, braids, curls and the best products for a variety of hair types from the top stylists in the valley. We know that the proper service finishing and styling service not only makes or breaks a cut but sends a client home with the right education to help them after they leave our space. This is a foundational course for preparing clients for events.

Foundations of Cutting

– structure + anatomy
– angle, elevation and direction – understanding weight
– weight distribution and weight building
– cutting length and long layers
– cutting graduated length and “bobs”
– cutting vertically (long/short/clipper)
– the art of consultation and listening
– conceptual diagnosis and execution
– the art of consultation and listening

Hands-on Cutting

Supervised by Refinery House top stylists, put your cutting program into practice with friends and family. Get behind the chair, perform evaluations & hair analysis, and receive immediate feedback and evaluation from Industry experts.

Basic Color

– structure + anatomy
– understanding the chemicals – biology meets chemistry
– colour theory – understanding – tone, level and reflect
– lifting, depositing – underlying pigments – formulating + matching
– correcting vs. complimenting
– root applications – full application
– intro to highlights – foil placement options
– kinds of weaves – hair painting
– options for blending

Hands-on Colour

Supervised by Refinery House top stylists, put your colour program into practice with friends and family. Get behind the chair and put your new chemistry skills into action. Perform services under the supervision of industry experts, and receive immediate feedback and evaluation points to learn from hands-on experience.

Precision Cutting

Learn advanced cutting techniques, finishing and texturizing from the best of the best. From inverted shape to sharp angles, get beyond the basics during this precision cutting course.

Hands-on advanced cutting

Supervised by Refinery House top stylists, put your advanced cutting skills to work. Get behind the chair, perform evaluations & hair analysis, and receive immediate feedback and evaluation from Industry experts.

Advanced Color

– the art of consultation and listening
– customizing
– conceptual diagnosis and execution
– advanced colour theory lesson

Career Skills

– the art of consultation and listening
– conceptual diagnosis and execution
– review of job possibilities and options
– habits of an excellent employee
– habits of an excellent co-worker
– mindset + dealing with unhappy clients
– client generation + retention
– final project