Here’s everything you need to know.

Are you thinking about joining a barbershop training programmeto learn barbering for the first time or to upgrade your skills? If so, you’ll probably have realised that there are so many courses to choose from in Manchester, all claiming to be the very best. How are you supposed to know which to choose?

If you’re serious about becoming the best barber you can possibly be, selecting the right course will help dictate the trajectory of your career. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the right barbering education to ensure your investment is worthwhile.

What makes a good barber?

The right place to start when thinking about what you should look for in a course is understanding what actually makes a good barber. The barbering profession is so much more than knowing how to hold clippers or even how to give a good haircut. Technical skill is important, but so are consultation skills, communication and business sense.

A good barber should be able to make clients feel comfortable in their chair, understand what they’re looking for and what would suit their hair type, head shape and routine, while also executing the service to an outstanding standard.

Some of the most technically able barbers struggle to maintain their client base because they’re lacking in the customer service and business department. If you want a stable career in barbering, you’ve got to know how to cut the hair and how to work the chair.

What should you look for in a barbering course?

Since we’ve established what makes a good barber, the next thing is to compare these criteria against the barbering courses in Manchester.

A proficient barbering course should cover a range of topics, including technical ability, customer service etiquette, consultation approaches and business education. This ensures that you get well-rounded training and learn all of the basics, particularly if you’re new to barbering. If you’re an experienced barber wanting to upskill, then a course that focuses more heavily on technical ability and diversifying your practice may be more relevant, but it never hurts to learn more about the foundations.

Another consideration when choosing a barber training course in Manchester is how the education is delivered. The best way to learn barbering is in the barbershop itself. Learning the basics at home is fine, as long as you get some in-person, hands-on experience to practise. Theory alone won’t cut it.

Also, a helpful tip is to look at the educator delivering the course. Do they work in a barbershop themselves, or own their own shop? Looking for someone who is experienced, has attention to detail, is a master of their craft and will deliver honest feedback is essential.

Diversifying your skillset as a barber

Whether you’re a new or experienced barber, diversifying your skillset is imperative to becoming a successful barber and building a successful career. Manchester has a diverse population, so ensuring you can cater to everyone without having to turn clients away because you’re not confident with their hair types is vital.

Having the ability to cut different hair textures, such as curls and coils, will open up opportunities to work with a new client base and give you an edge as a barber. Many barbers in Manchester haven’t had specific training to work with diverse hair types. Don’t let this be you!

Choosing a barber training course that includes specific modules on different hair types and textures is a great choice.

Clipper Guard Converter: UK to US Clipper Guard Sizes

If you are learning to barber, you will quickly come across different clipper guard numbering systems. UK and US terminology can sometimes cause confusion, so we thought it would be useful to leave this nugget of information here…

The commonly used clipper guard conversions are:

Want a course that will actually help you improve as a barber?

If you’re looking for barber training in Manchester that brings all of these skills together, Kevin Mitchell Education at MEKK Studios provides practical training designed around the realities of working behind the chair.

The course focuses on developing a well-rounded skillset, helping barbers become more confident, versatile and capable of working with a wider range of clients and hair types.

Training covers:

• Clipper work and fading

• Scissor cutting

• Shape-ups and detailing

• Haircut consultations

• Professional barbering customer service

• Working with different hair types and textures

• Building confidence and versatility

  
  

The course is delivered through an efficient system of theory videos, barbershop experience at MEKK Studios in Ancoats, Manchester, and quizzes to solidify your knowledge. Kevin Mitchell is an experienced barber and understands how to help barbers reach their potential.

Whether you’re new to barbering or already working and looking to expand your skillset, the training gives you the opportunity to develop techniques that can be applied directly in a real barbershop environment, rather than learning barbering through theory alone.

Make your investment pay off

Deciding to invest in your barber career is a respectable decision, and we want to make sure that you’re confident with your choice. Looking out for all of the components we’ve discussed in a barbering course will help you select a course that’s right for you.

If you’re ready to get started, Kevin Mitchell Barbering Education is currently accepting new students. Get in touch to find out more.