A Study on the Key Competencies and Barriers of Korean Hairdressers for Overseas Employment -Focused on Hair Salons in Australia-

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to verify the key competencies and barriers of Korean hairdressers for overseas employment. This study was conducted between December 10, 2020 through May 18, 2021, using a questionnaire from 42 employers and managers of hair salons in Australia. Frequency analysis, mean(likert 5-point scale) and standard deviation were used to analyze the data. This study results were as follows: First, the salons answered the questions about preferred characteristics of Korean hairdressers: they didn’t care about gender(69.0%), they didn’t think age was important(45.2%), and they didn’t care about education either(88.1%). However, the salons preferred 4~5 years work experienced hairdressers(50%). Second, for the key competencies of Korean hairdressers, the hair salons regarded ‘personality(4.48±0.73)’ as the first priority and they answered that ‘hairdressing skills(4.18±0.89)’, ‘salon works(3.74±0.97)’, ‘language skills(3.70±1.15)’, ‘leadership(3.58±0.96)’, and ‘cultural understanding(3.39±1.20)’ were important as well. Third, the factors of barriers to employ Korean hairdressers were found to be ‘lack of English skills(3.75±1.18)’, ‘difficulty of visa extension(3.75±1.20)’, and ‘lack of work experience(3.25±1.16)’. Forth, the hair salons were satisfied with Korean hairdressers(3.86±0.99) and they would be willing to support Employer-sponsored-visa for hardworking hairdressers(4.64 ±0.60) as well.