Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Selling or Influencing Others Convincing others to buy merchandise/goods or to otherwise change their minds or actions.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
•   Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.

Working Life

• In the workshop, our wig maker sets to work, making moulds or implanting synthetic and natural fibres onto tulle, preparing every figure according to written specifications
• Design & Sewing 
• Hair & scalp prothesis 
• washing (with special synthetic hair soap), cutting, styling, fitting and fixing
• Facial hair Oven-dried, then styled with a hot iron
• Managing Costuming and Cosmetology

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Keep work stations clean and sanitise tools, such as scissors and combs.
• Bleach, dye, or tint hair, using applicator or brush.
• Cut, trim and shape hair or hairpieces, based on customers' instructions, hair type, and facial features, using clippers, scissors, trimmers and rasors.
• Schedule client appointments.
• Update and maintain customer information records, such as beauty services provided.
• Demonstrate and sell hair care products and cosmetics.
• Analyse patrons' hair and other physical features to determine and recommend beauty treatment or suggest hair styles.
• Shampoo, rinse, condition, and dry hair and scalp or hairpieces with water, liquid soap, or other solutions.
• Operate cash registers to receive payments from patrons.
• Order, display, and maintain supplies.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

The usual route into this career is through a degree or HND course in Textile or Fabric Fashion Design. These courses cover all aspects of textile design such as embroidery, woven fabrics, or printed surfaces.

There are many entry routes into textile craft design. However, most take formal training courses up to diploma or degree level.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: customer service, manufacturing quality, management, start your own business.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: hair and beauty, fashion design, textile design, art, creative textiles.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: applied art, design in fashion, creative fabrics and interior, textile design.

Search for CAO Courses

Applicants for craft and design courses are usually required to submit a portfolio of work via CAO. 

Developing your craft business increasingly involves skills in Digital media marketing. Building your brand and showcasing your work are key.

Design & Crafts Council Business & Guidance support 

Local Enterprise Offices Business mentoring 

Local Partnership Enterprise Business development 

Design Skillnet Network CPD and support

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €17k - €35k

Salaries vary depending on employer, location, experience, and duties. Based on factory operative textile production. Bespoke strand based Wig & prosthesis may charge more based on commission. 

Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ DEASP-Gov.ie

Last Updated: March, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Artists; Authors; writers; translators; Actors; entertainers; presenters; Dancers; choreographers; Musicians Arts officers; producers; directors; Photographers; audio-visual and broadcasting equipment operators; Graphic designers Product; clothing and related designers.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment grew strongly between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 7,300 persons employed. As illustrated in the CSO Census data below, employment is spread across a number of roles; since 2016, the strongest growth, in absolute terms, was for graphic designers and authors, writers and translators.

New employment permits issued for this occupation in 2022 were primarily for film/TV and animation/visual effects (VFX) roles but also for linguistics experts in the ICT sector. There was also a high volume of recent job hires in line with the recent employment increase. The data does not point to overall issues with recruitment for these roles.

• Design & Craft Council of Ireland

  • Castle Yard, Kilkenny
  • (056) 77 61804
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