Men can be picky when it comes to hair styles. Buzz cuts, crew cuts, fades, French crops, undercuts, mullets, the Peaky Blinder ... gone are the simpler "short back and sides" days.
As barbering styles increase in popularity, the technical skills of hairdressers and barbers need to keep up with demand. There's a greater need for a more versatile workforce that's able to cater for barbering, focused on men's grooming needs as well as traditional hairdressing.
TAFE NSW Newcastle has partnered with the Australian Hairdressing Council to deliver a new pilot program called Project Barber. The 10-week course gives hair professionals who already hold a Certificate III in Hairdressing the opportunity to gain a Certificate III in Barbering.
Lake Macquarie hairdresser Kim Isenhood completed the course to build her confidence and expand her skill set. She says it has allowed her to handle more complex requests and attract a broader range of clients to her home salon.
"My experience in the program was phenomenal, the quality of the training was faultless. My teachers' dedication to their craft and depth of skills reignited my passion for my industry," she said.
"Project Barber has shown me how to produce the latest on-trend men's haircuts, meaning I no longer need to say 'Sorry, I can't' when shown inspiration photos.
"This program has definitely expanded my business opportunities - my male clientele is growing every week."
Isenhood also appreciated the opportunity to "connect and network" with other industry professionals.
"I even reconnected with my very first friend from TAFE NSW from over a decade ago, when we were first-year apprentice hairdressers," she said.
Melissa Kalan, CEO of the Australian Hairdressing Council, said programs like Project Barber "not only enhanced technical abilities and career opportunities but also delivered tremendous value both professionally and personally".
