Job Description

Hairdressers are professionally trained to cut and style people's hair and barbers specialise in male grooming and offer additional services such as shaving and cutting beards and moustaches. Usually working in a salon, they often work on a shift basis that can include weekend and early evening work, reacting to general customer demand or taking specific bookings from regular clients. 

Entry Requirements

You could get into this job through:

College

You can take a Level 2 or 3 Diploma in Hairdressing/Barbering.

You may be able to combine these courses with other subjects like beauty therapy, make-up and nails.

You'll usually need:

• 2 or more GCSEs at grades 9 to 3 (A* to D), or equivalent, for a level 2 course
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, for a level 3 course

The following local colleges offer courses in Hairdressing/Barbering:

• City College Norwich
• East Coast College
• Suffolk New College
• The College of West Anglia
• West Suffolk College

Or your local 6th form may offer a relevant course

Apprenticeship

You can do an intermediate or advanced apprenticeship in hairdressing/barbering, or a creative hair professional advanced apprenticeship.

You'll usually need:

• some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship

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Career Path and Progression

With experience you could become a senior stylist or salon manager. With further qualifications, you could also move into training or assessing student hairdressers.

You could also open your own salon.

Other options include wig making, training in make-up techniques and working in the theatre, film and television industries.

Related careers you may be interested in:

• Nail technician
• Beauty therapist
• Image consultant
• Make-up artist

Required Skills

• Customers service and money handling skills
• Ability to make clients feel at ease
• Passion and interest in the industry 
• Commitment to honing and continually developing your skills  

Salary Range

£14,000 to £30,000