How Long is Barber School?
Are you interested in manscaping? Do you enjoy cutting your friend’s hair? If you have the knack with the clippers and an eye for precision, becoming a barber may be the right career for you. In one year, you can start earning as a barber and start enjoying your career. During your time at barbering school you will learn the skills to manage client appointments and gain the knowledge needed for a real career in barbering.
How Long Does It Take to Complete Barber School?
Completing barber school only takes 12 months for those students attending full-time. Most of the instruction happens in the lab which offers you hands-on experience in barbering. This real-world experience is important to get your foot in the door at your local barber shop and allow you to gain confidence in your barbering skills. After attending a barbering program, many schools offer career services to their college graduates. Florida Technical College offers job search workshops on networking, resume writing, and mock interviews.
What Do You Learn at Barber School?
At Florida Technical College’s barbering program, you will learn the core fundamentals of hair composition, hair and scalp conditions, basic men’s haircuts, step-by-step chemical process for perms and reverses, and hair coloring theory. The barbering fundamentals also include Florida law and infection control procedures. Infection control topics focus on microbiology, practical infection control, sterilization and monitoring, chemical disinfectants, aseptic technique, infectious diseases, OSHA standards, and first aid.
The barbering program also focuses on design elements and principles. This course teaches the development of practical haircutting skills. How to part, thin, layer, outline, elevate, finger and shear, shear over comb, clipper and other haircutting techniques for men’s hairstyles. Hair composition will be an important topic in this course training you about hair structure, growth, distribution, color and development. You will also learn about facial treatments, face shaving, and beard and moustache styling.
Barber School & The Skills of the Trade
There are many skills that you will learn during barber school. Some of the most important skills you will learn include good communication, active listening, customer service and sales, an attention to detail, ability to problem solve, and manual dexterity and stamina.
Skill #1: Communication
Barbers need good communication skills to be successful. You will work with a variety of clients, colleagues, managers and barber shop owners. It is important for you to communicate clearly and concisely so no one misunderstands what you are saying. Make sure you are offering the same non-verbal cues when you are talking with others. Crossing your hands can look defensive and not keeping eye contact can signal that you are bored and not interested. Good communication is key to your barbering success and you learn that in barbering college.
Skill #2: Active Listening
The most important part of communication is active listening. You need to understand what a client is saying and what they want in the form of a haircut. Make sure you are engaged in the conversation and paying attention. When you listen to what a client is saying, you also can offer them hair care products and other services they may need.
Skill #3: Customer Service/Sales
Part of being a barber is providing good customer service. Good customer service creates repeat customers. It is much cheaper to keep a loyal customer than to continue to pay to acquire new customers. These loyal customers will also use more services and buy more hair products to manage their hair at home. They may even tell their friends about your amazing barbering skills. Make sure you are positively representing your local barber shop and provide a good customer experience for everyone that walks into the barber shop.
Skill #4: Attention to Detail
During a barbering program, you will learn attention to detail. While you practice on students and guests at the school’s barber shop, you will hone your barbering skills. It is obvious when a haircut mistake is made so make sure to pay attention when you are cutting hair or shaving a client. One misstep can ruin the whole experience.
Skill #5: Problem Solving
There are always going to be issues that come up in a barber shop. You may run out of a specific hair product, a customer may have to wait longer than they expected, or you may have booked two people in the same time slot. Being a good problem solver is important. Make sure that you take your customer’s time seriously and minimize any problems that arise. Try to make the barber shop experience as pleasant as possible to create happy and loyal customers.
Skill #6: Manual Dexterity/Stamina
Part of being a barber is using your hands to cut hair. You will use sheers, clippers, combs and other hair tools. Using these hair tools takes some manual dexterity in your hands and fingers. Also, as a barber, you will spend a lot of time on your feet. When you practice your haircutting skills in a barbering program, you can begin to build up your manual dexterity and stamina. You will hone your manual dexterity and stamina working on real clients in barbering college.
Final Thoughts
Hair never stops growing so if you want to work in a trade that is always in demand, becoming a barber may be the right career for you. Start by attending a barbering program at your local technical school and prepare yourself for a life-long career.
Barbering Diploma Program
The Barbering Diploma Program offers you the opportunity to acquire and practice the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary to gain an entry-level job in the barbering field. You will receive theory and practical experience in haircutting and chemical services, skin care, and shaving and scalp treatment. The program is designed to prepare you for Florida Licensure in Barbering.
Ready to move from the classroom to a career? Florida Technical College is here to help. Contact us to learn more about completing barber college at Florida Technical College.