Barbering apprenticeships in Wales
Build your barbering career with ISA Training
Whether you’re taking your first steps into barbering or ready to develop your skills, a barbering apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to learn while working in a real barbershop or salon.
At ISA Training, we specialise in hair, beauty and barbering apprenticeships across Wales. Our barbering qualifications combine practical, workplace-based training with expert support, helping you build the technical skills, confidence and professional knowledge needed to succeed in the industry.
For barbershop and salon owners, apprenticeships can also provide a practical way to bring new talent into your business, develop existing team members and build the skills your business needs for the future.
Barbering apprenticeships for learners and employers
Our Level 2 and Level 3 barbering apprenticeships are designed for different stages of a barber’s career.
If you’re starting out, Level 2 Barbering can help you develop the essential skills and knowledge needed to work confidently as a junior barber.
If you already have barbering experience, Level 3 can help you develop more advanced techniques and progress towards senior roles.
For employers, an apprenticeship provides a structured way to develop a new or existing member of your team while they gain a recognised qualification and apply their learning directly in the workplace.
What will you learn on a barbering apprenticeship?
Your qualification will help you develop the skills needed to deliver professional barbering services, with training covering areas such as:
• Client consultation and professional advice
• Shampooing and conditioning
• Cutting and styling
• Facial hair services
• Shaving techniques
• Hair colouring and lightening
• Hair patterns and creative techniques
• Relaxing and perming
• Plaiting and twisting
• Hair and scalp treatments
• Customer service and client care
• Health, safety and professional working practices
Why choose an ISA barbering apprenticeship?
Learn in the workplace
Your apprenticeship is built around your employment, so you can develop practical barbering skills in a real working environment and apply your learning directly with clients.
Train with barbering specialists
ISA Training specialises in hair, beauty and barbering. Our trainer coaches provide industry-focused support and help you keep developing your skills throughout your apprenticeship.
Develop skills that matter to your business
For employers, apprenticeships can help you develop staff with the technical and professional skills that your barbershop needs.
Get one-to-one support
You’ll have support from a dedicated trainer coach throughout your qualification, with regular training and guidance to help you stay on track.
Learn alongside your job
Work-based learning allows you to develop your qualification while continuing to gain valuable experience in your role.
Fully funded training
Eligible apprenticeships are fully funded by the Welsh Government, meaning there is no training fee for eligible learners or employers.
Apprenticeships for barbershop owners
Recruiting and retaining skilled barbers can be an important part of growing your business.
An apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to develop someone within your own working environment, helping them learn your standards, understand your clients and become part of your team.
You can use an apprenticeship to:
• Recruit and train a new junior barber
• Develop an existing employee
• Build technical skills within your team
• Support progression towards senior roles
• Address skills gaps within your business
• Invest in the long-term development of your workforce
If you already employ someone who wants to gain a recognised barbering qualification, they may also be able to complete an apprenticeship within their current role, subject to eligibility.
ISA Training can support you through the apprenticeship process, from getting started through to training, assessment and completion.
Different levels of barbering apprenticeships
Studying a Level 2 Barbering course is ideal for beginners who are just starting out in their career. Level 2 will help you build the necessary skills and knowledge to work as a junior barber.
Level 3 Hair Professional is suited towards anyone aspiring to or already working in a senior barber position. Level 3 covers advanced techniques that will help you climb the career ladder to higher paid job roles.
Level 2 Barbering
18 Months
Our qualification is designed for those ready to start their barbering career, or are in a junior barber role. You will finish with the foundational knowledge, competence and professionalism needed for a successful career.
Level 3 Hair Proffesional
18 Months
Our qualification is suited to anyone aspiring to, or currently in, a senior barber role. Complex techniques and practices will be covered, developing your ability to provide excellent barbering services to your clients.
" Every bit of advice and training has helped me become a better stylist. "
What happens after a barbering apprenticeship?
Completing a barbering apprenticeship gives you a nationally recognised qualification and practical experience that can support your next career step.
Depending on your experience, skills and ambitions, you could progress into roles such as:
• Junior barber
• Barber
• Senior barber
• Specialist barber
• Barbershop supervisor
• Barbershop manager
Some experienced barbers choose to become self-employed, rent a chair, work as a mobile barber or eventually open their own barbershop.
You can also continue developing your skills through further qualifications and training in areas such as hairdressing, digital marketing, social media for business, customer service or leadership and management.
Barbering apprenticeships in Wales FAQs
Our barbering apprenticeships are available to eligible learners aged 16 and over who live and work in Wales.
There is no upper age limit, so apprenticeships can be suitable for people starting their career as well as adults already working in barbering.
Yes. Barbering apprenticeships are work-based qualifications, so you need to be employed in a suitable barbershop or salon where you can complete the practical elements of your qualification.
If you are looking for an apprenticeship vacancy, you can view current opportunities through ISA Training.
Yes. If you already work in a barbershop or suitable salon, you may be able to complete a barbering apprenticeship with your current employer.
This allows you to continue working and earning while gaining a recognised qualification and developing your barbering skills.
Eligible barbering apprenticeships are fully funded by the Welsh Government, meaning there is no training fee for eligible learners or employers.
There is no cost for eligible learners or employers because the apprenticeship training is fully funded by the Welsh Government.
If you are employed as an apprentice, you will also receive a wage in line with the applicable employment requirements.
The length of an apprenticeship depends on the qualification and the learner’s circumstances. Our Level 2 and Level 3 barbering programmes are designed to be completed alongside employment, with training and assessment taking place in the workplace.
Level 2 is designed to develop the essential skills and knowledge needed to start working professionally as a barber.
Level 3 builds on existing experience and focuses on more advanced barbering techniques and services, making it suitable for those looking to progress towards senior roles.
Level 2 can include skills such as client consultation, shampooing and conditioning, cutting and styling, facial hair services and other essential barbering techniques.
The exact content will depend on the units included in your qualification.
Level 3 focuses on developing more advanced barbering skills. Depending on the qualification and units selected, this can include advanced cutting and styling, shaving, facial hair services, colour correction, creative hair patterns and specialist treatments.
Yes. Apprenticeships aren’t only for new recruits. If you already have someone working in your barbershop who wants to gain a recognised qualification or develop their skills, they may be able to complete an apprenticeship in their existing role.
A barbering apprenticeship can give you the technical skills, workplace experience and professional confidence needed to build a career in the industry.
Once qualified and with the appropriate experience, some barbers choose to become self-employed, rent a chair, work as a mobile barber or establish their own barbershop.
Additional training in areas such as business, customer service, social media and digital marketing can also help support your future plans.
Yes. After completing Level 2 and gaining the required experience, you may be able to progress to Level 3 Barbering and develop more advanced skills.
You’ll receive ongoing support from an experienced trainer coach throughout your apprenticeship. Your trainer coach will help you develop your practical skills, work towards your qualification and make progress against your learning goals.
You’ll also have access to online learning resources to support your training.
Yes. If you’re a barbershop or salon owner interested in recruiting an apprentice, ISA Training can help you understand the apprenticeship process and the support available.
You can also use an apprenticeship to develop an existing member of your team.
Whether you’re looking for your first opportunity in barbering, ready to take your skills to the next level or a barbershop owner looking to invest in your team, ISA Training can help.
I am a learner
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I am an employer
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