Barbering professional
Level 2 · IntermediateHair and beauty 1.5 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
The Barbering Professional apprenticeship trains you in the full range of services offered in a professional barber shop, from cutting and fading to beard design and shaving. Apprentices learn to work with a wide variety of hair textures and face shapes, building a loyal client base. It opens doors to senior barber, educator or salon owner roles.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Cutting techniques including scissor-over-comb and clipper work
Skin fade and graduation methods
Beard design, trimming and wet shaving
Hair and scalp health analysis
Client consultation and communication skills
Health, safety and infection control in barbering
Styling and finishing product knowledge
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Consult with clients to understand their style preferences
Cut and blend hair using scissors, clippers and trimmers
Create skin fades and tapered finishes
Design, shape and trim beards
Carry out hot towel shaves safely
Sterilise tools and maintain a clean workstation
Recommend aftercare and styling products to clients
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 2 (Intermediate) - roughly GCSE level. Often open with few or no formal qualifications - a strong first step. Some employers ask for a couple of GCSEs.
What’s next: Typically leads on to a Level 3 (Advanced) apprenticeship.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
Hear from employers
What it’s really like
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