The nostalgia of the hometown barber shop, where men gathered to tell tall tales and catch up on the community news, is for many barbers still alive today in their modern salons.  While hairstyles and beard trims have changed over the years, the loyalty to technique, and aspiration to satisfy customers, are still at the heart of successful barber shops today.

For those dreaming of becoming a barber and pursuing a career steeped in tradition and prestige, deciding between a traditional barber school and an apprenticeship academy comes down to personal preferences.  Pursuing a career in this industry requires training, and obtaining a degree is a necessary foundation for success.

Qualifications for a barber are different than those of a cosmetologist, in that barbers must pursue an education through a school or apprenticeship that teaches the specific skill set of a barber.  Once these skills are learned and a degree is obtained, access to steady employment becomes greater.

Barber schools teach what is needed to launch a successful career in the industry, as well as what is required by the state board exams.  You will learn the basic scientific modalities of the scalp and hair, hair anatomy and physiology, so that you will understand fundamentally how different types of hair react under various circumstances.

This knowledge of hair will provide the base for learning how to properly cut, color, style, and treat clients hair types without causing damage. Barbers also need to know proper male grooming habits for facial hair, and how the delicate tissue of the skin in these areas respond to shaving.  Barber school will provide you with these finer points as well as education in new trends and popular styles.

A good quality barbering program will teach the techniques needed to begin and sustain a successful career in the industry. Many schools provide hands- on instruction in cutting, coloring, and grooming techniques so that you can gain first hand experience while practicing your skills on real people.

A popular choice for many pursuing a career as a barber, is attending an Apprenticeship Academy.  Professional barbers can offer paid training on site, teaching apprentices every aspect of the business of barbering from shop management to styling techniques in a real world setting.

Five Star Barber & Brand offers one such apprenticeship academy at their prestigious barber shop that provides all of the hands on training, and technical education needed to obtain a barber license.  The ability to learn on the job, while being paid, is a huge draw for many aspiring barbers who value an immersive educational experience.

Choosing a path to becoming a professional barber is a personal choice that will provide the education necessary for a successful career in the hair industry.  While barbers may have advanced into modern techniques inconceivable to the hair stylists of the past, the future of this industry holds many possibilities for those willing to be educated.