New education partnership is a cut above for barbering

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.

Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) is a specialist AO offering vocational and technical qualifications in a range of service sectors. Its acquisition of internationally recognised AO, ITEC, last year added to its specialist offering in the hairdressing, barbering and beauty therapy industries.

About BBA: The British Barbering Association (BBA) is the leading association for the barbering industry in the UK.

Supporting barbers, male grooming salons and men’s hairdressers across the country, the BBA works with government-appointed organisations and agencies to ensure the development of high-quality training and qualifications that meet the industry’s needs.

Our Mission…The British Barbers’ Association (BBA) is the voice of barbers, male grooming salons and men’s hairdressers, and works with government departments, sector skills councils and trailblazers to shape the future of the industry, education and training.  We represent our member’s voices, bringing together like-minded professionals dedicated to continual development and high standards to ensure the barbering industry is ‘BBA – better beyond all’.

Our vision The BBA represents all sectors of the barbering industry and is recognised by the wider sector as the ‘go to; authority for barbers, trainers, learners, manufacturers and other industry stakeholders.

We will continually research latest trends, issues and requirements and communicate with our members to ensure that the barbering industry is shaped by barbers, for barbers, and we achieve and maintain the highest standards and levels of professionalism.

About VTCT: Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) is a specialist awarding organisation (AO). It offers vocational and technical qualifications, including the new Professional Apprenticeship Standards, in a range of service sectors from hair and beauty to finance. 

 

VTCT began awarding in 1962, and aims to advance education, research and the public dissemination of knowledge, helping to introduce new initiatives into the education system, to improve the employability and career prospects of learners.

It acquired education technology specialists Digital Assess in 2016, adding value for training providers with technology that can digitally capture and assess learners online, amongst other innovations.

More than 800 approved centres now work with VTCT, and the ever-expanding list extends across the UK, Ireland, and internationally. It acquired the internationally recognised AO and examination board ITEC in 2016, adding to VTCT’s international footprint.