When I first started, every barber had to learn hairdressing. A Number 2 back and sides was considered short. Then hair got shorter. And shorter. And shorter. Skin fades, clipper work, bald fades – they’ve dominated men’s fashion for years.

But recently I’ve started noticing something.

I look back at old footage of Band Aid. All the biggest stars of the 1980s walk through that studio. The musicians, the rock stars, the icons of their generation. Not one of them has clippers up the sides and back. Their hair has movement, length and individuality.

And I believe we’re heading back in that direction.

I’m starting to see signs that men are ready for longer hair again. More texture. More shape. More styling. Less reliance on clippers.

At the same time, I think women’s hair is due for a revolution too.

For years we’ve seen long hair, balayage, grown-out roots and soft colour work dominate. It’s been hugely popular, but fashion never stands still. I believe we’re approaching a period where women will start embracing shorter, bolder and more expressive cuts once again.

The really interesting part, though, is what happens to our industry itself.

I genuinely believe we’re moving towards a future where we stop talking about men’s hair and women’s hair altogether.

Hair has no gender.

Instead of separate barbering and hairdressing menus, we’ll see businesses charging for time, skill and style. Clients won’t be booking a men’s cut or a ladies’ cut. They’ll be booking a haircut, a restyle, a crop, a bob, a mullet, a shag, a fade, or whatever look they want to achieve.

The price will be based on the time, expertise and service required.

When I tell people this, some look at me like I’m crazy.

But I remember people saying fifteen years ago that everyone would book appointments online instead of walking in and waiting. Back then, that sounded ridiculous too.

Today it’s normal.

As society becomes more fluid and individualistic, I think the old labels will start to disappear. Even the word “unisex” feels outdated now. A new language will emerge. New concepts. New salon and barbershop models.

Maybe they’ll be called studios. Labs. Chop shops. Who knows?

What I do know is that change is coming.

One day we’ll look back and wonder why we ever separated hair into men’s and women’s categories in the first place.

This is my prediction.

And I can’t wait to read this again in ten years’ time and find out whether I was right.

The post My Look Into the Future of Hair appeared first on Mike Taylor Education.

From October, employers taking on a hairdressing or barbering apprentice aged 16–24 may be eligible for up to £3,000 in incentive funding.

There has never been a better time to invest in the future of your business.

I’ve said it many times before: waiting for the perfect barber or hairdresser to walk through the door simply isn’t a growth strategy any more. The most successful salons and barbershops are developing their own talent from the ground up.

The benefits are huge:

You can train apprentices in the culture, standards and ways of working that make your business unique.

Clients love seeing young people given a genuine opportunity through a traditional apprenticeship and enjoy following their journey from beginner to qualified professional.

Apprentices build confidence, develop skills and grow their own loyal client base, creating long-term value for the business.

With youth unemployment now exceeding one million, this initiative provides a real opportunity to grow your team while helping the next generation gain skills, confidence and employment.

Our industry has always been built on passing skills from one generation to the next. Now is the time to invest in that future.

If you’d like to find out more about apprenticeships, funding, or how to get started, drop us an email. We’d be delighted to help guide you through the process.

The post £3k for New Apprentices appeared first on Mike Taylor Education.

Why Do You Need an Official Barbering Qualification?

In the UK, barbering and hairdressing are not legally regulated. However, the government expects anyone working in the industry to hold recognised qualifications and the correct insurance in order to trade professionally.

Without a government-backed qualification:

• You may struggle to get insured
• You may not be employable in reputable barbershops
• You may be restricted from working abroad or progressing into teaching

At Mike Taylor Education, all qualifications we offer are government-backed and regulated through approved awarding organisations.

We offer three main barbering qualifications:

• Barbering VRQ
• Barbering NVQ (Levels 2 & 3)
• Barbering Apprenticeship Standard

Each qualification serves a different purpose.

Barbering VRQ (Vocationally Related Qualification)

The VRQ is the entry-level barbering qualification.

What makes the VRQ unique:

• Some assessments can be completed on mannequin heads
• You can be assessed on friends and family
• Clients do not have to be paying customers for assessment
• Ideal for beginners and younger learners

The VRQ is an excellent starting point because it:

• Provides a government-backed qualification
• Allows you to work in a barbershop, employed or self-employed
• Does not restrict progression to an apprenticeship or higher qualifications

Barbering NVQ ( National Vocational Qualification)

The NVQ is the traditional, industry-recognised “ready-to-work” qualification and is commonly chosen by private learners.

Key features of the NVQ:

• All assessments must be carried out on live, paying clients
• Clients must be people you do not know
• No mannequin assessments allowed
• Fully reflective of real barbershop working conditions

Both NVQ Level 2 and Level 3 are considered work-ready qualifications.

The NVQ Level 3 in particular is widely regarded as one of the strongest barbering qualifications in the world, offering excellent credibility both in the UK and internationally.

Barbering Apprenticeship Standard (Level 2.5)

The apprenticeship qualification is often referred to as a Level 2.5 because it combines:

• NVQ Level 2
• NVQ Level 3

Rather than completing two separate qualifications, apprentices learn all fundamentals and advanced skills in one structured programme.

Key points about the apprenticeship:

• Minimum training period of 12 months and 5 days
• Includes on-the-job training in a real barbershop
• Final assessment is conducted by an independent external assessor
• Learners are graded Pass, Merit, or Distinction

This is a highly respected qualification that can:

• Open doors to international teaching opportunities
• Provide strong professional credibility in any barbershop
• Allow you to obtain full barbering insurance
• Carry significant “clout” within the industry

Choosing the Right Qualification

When selecting a barbering course, the most important factor is ensuring the qualification is regulated and awarded by an approved awarding organisation.

At Mike Taylor Education, we use VTCT, a leading awarding body. Other recognised awarding organisations include City & Guilds.

Be cautious of courses that only offer a certificate with the training provider’s name on it.

These certificates:

• Are not government-regulated
• Often cannot be used for insurance
• Hold little credibility with employers
• Will not support work abroad or progression into teaching

A certificate written by a training provider alone carries no more credibility than a barbershop printing its own qualification.

Final Thought

If you are serious about a career in barbering—whether that’s working in a top barbershop, becoming self-employed, moving abroad, or teaching in the future—you must choose a proper, government-backed qualification.

Training is important, but recognised qualifications are what protect your future.

The post Understanding Barbering Qualifications appeared first on Mike Taylor Education.

Taking on an apprentice is expensive. The barbershop is responsible for paying the apprentice, and when much of the early work involves making teas, sweeping up, answering phones, and assisting the barbers, the cost can outweigh the benefit – especially now that apprenticeship wages are higher than ever. For many shop owners, it’s simply not financially viable.

That’s why only a small number of barbershops take on apprentices officially. In the local area, shops such as Bonds Barbershop, Mint Barbershop, and a select few others do offer structured apprenticeships with official wages – but opportunities are very limited.

If you are lucky enough to secure a barbering apprenticeship, the goal is to get you shop-floor ready as quickly as possible. Unlike many other apprenticeships, barbershops usually take on an apprentice because they see them as a long-term investment. While an apprenticeship doesn’t always guarantee a job, in barbering it often does – because the shop needs you cutting hair and contributing to the business once you’re trained.

For this reason, if you gain a barbering apprenticeship, it’s important to be confident that you’re willing to stay with that barbershop for several years to repay the time, money, and effort they’ve invested in you.

What Does a Barbering Apprentice Do?

Your typical role will include:

• Customer service
• Answering phones
• Sweeping up
• Making teas and coffees
• Assisting barbers in any way possible

Most barbershops will try to progress you onto the shop floor quickly so you can begin cutting hair, bringing money into the business, and helping to cover your wages.

This is very different from hairdressing apprenticeships. Hair salons often rely heavily on apprentices for daily operations such as mixing colours, shampooing clients, and assisting stylists. In barbering, there is simply less routine work for apprentices to do, which is why opportunities are so limited.

What If You Can’t Get an Apprenticeship?

If you’re a young person fresh out of school and everyone tells you to “get a barbering apprenticeship,” but no barbershops are taking anyone on, there is another route.

At Mike Taylor Education, you can apply for our funded programme for 16-18-year-olds. We have a limited number of funded places where we train you to become shop-floor ready. After completing the year, you can move into a barbering apprenticeship or even start working as a self-employed barber.

During the course, you’ll also work towards your English and Maths qualifications – just as you would in an apprenticeship. We cover essential workplace skills, including British Values, and we even take students to the gym because we believe mental health and wellbeing are just as important as technical skill.

At Mike Taylor Education, our aim is to give young people a strong foundation – building confidence, discipline, and real-world readiness – so they are fully prepared for the workplace and a successful career in barbering.

The post Barbering Apprenticeships: What You Need to Know appeared first on Mike Taylor Education.

That said, being self-employed comes with responsibility, and it’s important to understand what’s involved from the very beginning.

Firstly, you’ll need to register as self-employed with HMRC.

Secondly, you’ll be responsible for buying all of your own tools and equipment.

Thirdly, and most importantly, you’ll need your own insurance. This is non-negotiable. You won’t be covered under the barbershop’s insurance, so having your own policy proves that you are operating as your own business.

These days, being self-employed is much easier than it used to be. There are plenty of accounting apps available, such as QuickBooks, that make tracking income and expenses straightforward. Some people prefer to use an accountant to complete their tax return, which can be helpful, but it’s not essential—especially if you’re organised and using accounting software.

One thing many people don’t think about early enough is tax. When you first become self-employed, you won’t pay any tax for around the first year to year and a half, which can feel great—but that bill will come. With the move towards quarterly tax returns, it’s more important than ever to stay ahead.

My advice to everyone is simple: from day one, put 20% of everything you earn to one side. Then just get on with your life. When your tax bill arrives, it’s covered—and more often than not, you’ll still have money left over that can go towards a car, a house, a holiday, a new wardrobe, or whatever you choose. The worst thing you can do is spend everything and then scramble to find the money later. That’s how people end up constantly chasing their tail.

A lot of people also believe that being self-employed means you can work whenever you want. While that’s true to an extent, it’s not the full picture. Think about it this way: a taxi driver who refuses to work Friday or Saturday nights isn’t going to be given a decent round. If you hired a builder, you wouldn’t expect them to turn up only when they felt like it.

When you rent a chair, you have a contract with the barbershop. You agree to be there at certain times, and in return, the shop provides you with the space to run your business. You can’t constantly cancel clients or decide not to turn up—it damages not only your reputation, but the shop’s reputation as well. The public doesn’t see self-employment behind the scenes; they see a retail business that should be open when it says it’s open.

Self-employment in barbering has been around for decades, and it works extremely well. It allows barbers the freedom to earn more, pay less tax, and claim tax-deductible expenses on things they would be buying anyway.

There are downsides, of course. Getting loans or mortgages can be harder when you’re self-employed. However, if you’re transparent from the start and keep your accounts in order, it becomes much easier than many people expect.

Self-employment isn’t something to fear—but it is something to take seriously. Get organised early, stay ahead of your finances, and you’ll put yourself in a position where you’re not just surviving, but actually getting ahead.

The post Self-Employment in Barbering: What You Need to Know appeared first on Mike Taylor Education.

Barbering is a skilled trade, but haircuts are still priced reasonably for customers. When you factor in minimum wage, National Insurance, VAT, and other employment costs, it becomes very difficult for a barber to earn a decent living as an employee. In many cases, being employed simply doesn’t provide the income needed to make barbering financially sustainable long term.

As a result, self-employment has become the most practical and realistic option for barbers who want to earn properly from their skills.

Different Self-Employed Models in Barbering

There are several common ways barbers operate as self-employed professionals:

• Daily chair rent
• Weekly chair rent
• Percentage-based earnings

Out of these options, many barbers prefer working on a percentage of their earnings. The reasons are straightforward:

• On quiet days, there’s no fixed rent to cover

• If a barber is sick or on holiday, they don’t pay for a chair they’re not using

• Earnings and costs stay aligned, which feels fairer and more balanced

Because of this flexibility, percentage-based arrangements are often seen as the fairest way for both the barber and the barbershop to operate.

In Summary

Self-employment allows barbers to:

• Earn more than they would on wages

• Have greater control over their income

• Work in a structure that reflects the realities of the trade

For many barbers, self-employment isn’t a preference—it’s the only way to make the career financially viable.

The post Why Are Most Barbers Self-Employed? appeared first on Mike Taylor Education.