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Working Abroad Job Vacancies Job Hunting Guide Voluntary Work Working Part-time and Temping Useful Job Hunting Resources Working in Somerset Wages and Employment Rights Barbers in Somerset CLCI: IL CRCI: RC If you’re into hairdressing it’s easy to forget about working as a barber. Barbers specialise in cutting men’s hair, shaving faces and trimming beards and moustaches. You’d need to be good with your hands and happy working with scissors, razors and other equipment. It also helps to be good with people because customers return again and again. You also need to be ready to be on your feet all day! To find out more look under the above CLCI/CRCI headings in your careers or Connexions library. THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BARBERS IN SOMERSET There are barbers in all towns in Somerset and in some of the larger villages. Overall there aren’t as many barber shops in Somerset as unisex salons. Some barbers do traditional short back-and-sides work and have quite old-fashioned salons. Others are more trendy! The number of barbers was decreasing but now they’re making a comeback as new places open for men looking for good barbering in smart surroundings. Many barbers in Somerset only employ one or two workers. Others might have four or five employees. Most just have one salon (but a few might have second and third branches) HOW DO I GET STARTED?   Get work experience when at school to see if it’s the career for you   Go to college full-time to do a general hairdressing course or – at just a few colleges – a barbering course   Start as a trainee – or Apprentice - in a barber shop and go to college as part of your job USEFUL QUALIFICATIONS   No particular GCSEs needed but being good in maths, English, science and art can help   NVQs in hairdressing at levels 1 to 3   NVQs in barbering (where these are available)   NVQs can be done full-time at college or part-time through an Apprenticeship More about qualifications, courses and training can be found in Moving On (published by Connexions Somerset) DO YOU KNOW? Most school leavers want to work in unisex salons. This means some barbers struggle to find good young trainees. WHAT IS THE PAY LIKE? Around £80 per week (maybe more) if starting as a new employed trainee or apprentice (with likely pay increases as you gain experience and pass exams). You could start on more if you’ve been to college for a while. When qualified you could earn up to £6.50 an hour (plus tips). FINDING A JOB   Connexions centres   Job centres   Through applying for work apprenticeships   School and college careers notice boards   Speculative letters/visits/emails   Newspaper and industry publications adverts   Adverts displayed at premises and on industry/company websites   Job offer after work experience   Word of mouth   A Guide to Job Hunting gives tips on CVs, interviews and job letters. To view click here OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER ABOUT THIS WORK   Barbers tend to concentrate on traditional hair cutting and trimming   Most customers – men and boys – are regulars and may call for a cut every month or so   Fashions and styles change but not as much as in other branches of hairdressing   Some barbers, but not all, colour hair   Good opportunities to eventually run your own business   You can be self-employed by renting a chair in someone else’s salon   People of all ages work as barbers. Your colleagues might be a little older than you!   It can be really busy on Saturdays and during school holidays WHO DOES THE WORK? Paul is 37 and runs his own barber shop in Bridgwater. He did his apprenticeship in a unisex salon but soon wanted to specialise in men’s hair. After working for various barbers Paul opened his own smart, new salon five years ago. He’s now got three people working for him. Steph, who lives in Wells, is 18 and doing an apprenticeship in barbering. She loves the feel and atmosphere of a traditional small barbers shop. She’s the only trainee there and works with the owner and one other barber. Steph goes to college every Thursday to do an NVQ barbers course. More info: A-Z of careers Careers information dates rapidly. Every effort has been made to ensure information is accurate but please check details before making firm decisions. Make text larger Make text smaller Text Only Display Privacy Policy/Terms of Use