A new partnership that aims to improve the standard of training and professionalism in barbering and men’s hairdressing has been launched by two of the industry’s leading organisations.
The British Barbers’ Association (BBA) and specialist awarding organisation (AO) VTCT have announced a partnership that will see them working together to champion barbers throughout their learning journey, from the moment they decide to go into barbering and men’s hairdressing right through to running their own business.
The partnership aims to raise the standard of training throughout each stage of a barber’s career, improving professionalism at every level, with a particular focus on providing support once formal training has been completed.
Key areas already identified by both the BBA and VTCT include post-qualification training, continuing professional development (CPD), support for employers on education, involving employers in shaping the future of the barbering industry and developing industry ambassadors for the UK and Overseas.
Chris Foster of the BBA said: “This partnership with VTCT is a welcome addition to the work we are already doing to raise standards across the board in barbering and men’s hairdressing. There has been a long standing need to champion learners and support barbers better after their formal training is done so that learning is on-going and professionalism is improved. We believe that this partnership will achieve that by providing a stronger and more focused package to support them”.
Alan Woods OBE, CEO at VTCT said: “Partnering with the BBA will enable us to provide barbers with one of the best post-qualification support offers available in any industry. By coordinating our efforts, VTCT and the BBA will be able to nurture up-and-coming barbers for the whole learning experience and beyond – from the decision to pursue barbering as a career, to the point when they may become employers themselves. British barbering is the best in the world, and this partnership will improve even further on our already high standards”.
The BBA is the largest, leading association and membership organisation for the barbering industry in the UK. It works to support barbers, male grooming salons and men’s hairdressers across the country, and liaises with government-appointed organisations and agencies to ensure the development of high-quality training and qualifications that meet the industry’s needs.
For more information about the BBA, go to britishbarbers.com
