A UNIQUE course designed to train barbers for the modern industry is making heads turn.

The first students have just graduated from the MADE Academy for Modern Barbering, a partnership between the pioneering barbering business, Rebel Rebel and Glasgow Kelvin College. Another course is due to begin at the end of August with people already signing up for the next one in January.

The 15 week intensive course delivers a City and Guilds Level 2 qualification in barbering

“This programme brings barbering training up to date,” said Colin Bauld of award-winning Rebel Rebel, the innovative barber’s shop supporting the course.

“The idea is to teach the barber shop skills that are needed in the modern industry and the course includes a placement at a top barber shop in Glasgow so the shops can get a view of people on the course and what they can do.

“The career prospects are good - barbering was the second largest new start up business in 2016.  Men are prepared to spend more time and money on their appearance and now women use barbers’ shops too.”

The MADE Academy was set up because of a perceived need for a course that taught up-to-date barbering skills.

Said Bauld: “We were finding that the people coming to us from traditional courses were not really barber shop ready because the courses tend to focus on hairdressing more than barbering. The skill set for barbering was lacking so we wanted to do something better. The whole point is to give people proper training and a recognised qualification.”

Gary Tedeschi, one of Rebel Rebel’s senior barbers does the practical training at bespoke premises in Tradeston.

“It’s a real high-end barber shop environment, fully kitted out so that every student has their own barber chair and their own kit,” said Liz Breckenridge, head of commercial at Glasgow Kelvin.

“Even renowned people in the industry say it is completely unique because it is a proper barber shop environment.”

Here the students work on live models as well as dummy heads and are taught master classes from specialists like Rebel Rebel’s Alan Findlay, a well-known figure in the industry.

As well as craft barbering skills, the course covers subjects like massage, consultations, retaining clients and health and safety.

“It’s not just about teaching students to cut a head of hair but all the skills that go along with it to make sure the students are industry relevant,” said Breckenridge.

The students sit exam assessments throughout the 15 weeks and, if they pass, leave with both a MADE certificate and their City and Guilds award.

“Having those bits of paper is really important because a lot of barbers won’t even offer work experience for people without a qualification,” explained Breckenridge. 

“City and Guilds has an international reputation so you can take it anywhere and it will last a lifetime.”

Whereas a junior hairdresser or barber will take two or three years to become a senior, students on the course learn all the basics in just 15 weeks.

“This means you can start earning quite quickly while those on a more traditional route will take two or three years before they have own clients and start bringing in more income,” said Breckenridge.

“It is a commercial course so there is no funding available but it’s completely different from traditional barbering training.  Students starting now will have two certificates before Christmas and a much better CV than they had before – all in 15 weeks.

“They will also have connections within an industry that really needs new people coming through now – the industry can’t wait two or three years because it is growing so fast. We are sending people out into the industry who have the relevant skills and knowledge.

“Industry has been asking for colleges to work in partnership with them, and that is exactly what we have done with this academy” she said.

For more information about the training go to:

www.madebarbering.co.uk