A Historical Perspective and the Distinction of a Barber Program from a Beauty School
Barbering, a profession with a rich history dating back to ancient civilizations, has evolved significantly over the centuries. Originally, barbers were regarded as highly respected individuals in society, often performing surgical procedures and dentistry in addition to hair cutting. Over time, the focus shifted exclusively to grooming, particularly men’s haircuts and shaving.
The distinction between barber and beauty schools lies primarily in their specialized curricula. Barber schools focus extensively on men’s grooming, offering training in techniques like facial shaving, beard styling, and men’s hair styling. They often incorporate lessons in scalp treatment and the use of barber-specific tools. On the other hand, beauty schools, while also covering hair styling, have a broader curriculum that includes a wide range of beauty services such as makeup, nail care, and skin care, often catering to a female clientele. This fundamental difference highlights the unique skills and services associated with each profession, shaping the career paths of aspiring professionals in these fields.
How Long Does It Take to Complete Barber School?
Completing a barber training program, particularly at a prestigious Barber School in Florida, typically takes 12 months for full-time students. Much of this training is hands-on, happening in lab settings where you gain practical experience in men’s grooming and hair styling for men. This real-world exposure is crucial to kickstart your journey in local barber shops, allowing you to build confidence in your barbering skills. After completing the barbering course, many schools provide career services to their graduates, including job search workshops that cover networking, resume writing, and mock interviews – all tailored to the barbering industry.
What Do You Learn at Barber School?
At top-tier barber schools, like Florida Technical College, you will delve into the core fundamentals of hair composition, understanding hair and scalp conditions, and mastering basic men’s haircuts. The curriculum includes step-by-step guidance on chemical processes for perms and hair coloring theory. Key topics like Florida law, infection control procedures, and scalp treatment are also covered extensively. These are vital for obtaining your Florida Barber License.
Infection control, for instance, focuses on microbiology, sterilization, chemical disinfectants, OSHA standards, and first aid – all crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy environment in any barbershop. The course also explores the principles of hair design, training you in various haircutting techniques essential for any professional barber, such as layering, outlining, and using different tools like shears and clippers effectively.
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 on Barber School
Embarking on a barber career path is a journey into a field that demands skilled professionals. Hair never stops growing, and the need for skilled barbers remains ever-present. By starting with a comprehensive barbering course, you can prepare yourself for a career.
Want to Learn More?
The Barbering Diploma Program is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and attitude necessary in the barbering field. You will receive both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in a range of services, including haircutting, chemical treatments, skin care, and scalp treatment. This program is tailored to ensure you are ready for the Florida Barber License examination and a prosperous career in barbering.
Ready to transform your passion for men’s grooming into a rewarding career? Contact Florida Technical College today to learn more about how our barbering program can set you on the path to becoming a professional barber.
These examples are intended to serve only as a general guide of possible employment opportunities. There are many factors that determine the job an individual may obtain and Florida Technical College cannot guarantee its graduates any particular job. Some positions may require license or other certifications. We encourage you to research the requirements for the particular position you desire.
