EMPLOYMENT
You need a suitable paid barbershop or salon role with enough breadth to develop the complete Barbering Professional standard. HeadHunters checks the job, your starting point, prior learning and support needs before enrolment.
Barbering Level 2 apprenticeship in West Yorkshire
BARBERING
LEVEL 2.
Earn while you develop commercial cutting, fading, styling, shaving and client care in a real barbershop or salon.
Talk to the Academy
ROUTEST1273 v1.0 · Level 2
DURATIONTypically 18 months
FORMATPaid employed apprenticeship
BEST FORNew barbering professionals
Course overview
DEVELOP THE CONTROL AND JUDGEMENT OF A MODERN BARBER.
Barbering Level 2 is a paid, employed apprenticeship aligned to the current Barbering Professional standard. Workplace experience and structured Academy training develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to deliver safe, tailored services and an outstanding client experience.
WHAT YOU’LL DEVELOP
- Consultation, hair and skin analysis and personalised service planning
- Cutting hair using clipper, scissor and combination techniques
- Creating fades, outlines and balanced commercial shapes
- Designing and shaping facial hair to suit the client
- Providing shaving services with safe preparation and skin control
- Front-of-house service, client records, product advice and professional barbershop practice
How this apprenticeship works
A REAL JOB.
A STRUCTURED ROUTE.
This is employment with an agreed training plan, rather than a traditional college course. Your salon or barbershop, HeadHunters and you each have a clear role in progressing towards the standard.
WORKPLACE PRACTICE
Build consultation, clipper and scissor cutting, fading, facial hair, shaving, styling and client service through regular commercial experience.
PAID TRAINING TIME
Academy learning and eligible development away from your usual productive duties take place during paid working hours. The current standard specifies at least 326 off-the-job training hours before any reduction for evidenced prior learning.
PROGRESSION
Successful completion supports progression as a professional barber and the development of a stronger client column. You can later explore the privately funded Barbering Level 3 route or focused specialist courses.
Independent end point assessment
TRAIN. REACH GATEWAY.
SHOW YOUR STANDARD.
Your programme builds occupational competence first. End point assessment then checks that you can apply the required knowledge, skills and behaviours independently.
Knowledge test
A controlled test checks the underpinning technical, safety and professional knowledge of a modern barber.
Practical assessment
An independent assessor observes your ability to deliver barbering services safely, accurately and professionally.
Professional discussion
A structured discussion, supported by a portfolio, explores evidence from your real workplace practice.
Current standard
ST1273 version 1.0 is currently approved for delivery and available for starts. HeadHunters confirms the live standard, VTCT Skills registration and assessment organisation before enrolment.
Before an application progresses
LET’S CHECK THE ROLE AND THE ROUTE.
Tell us whether you are seeking an apprenticeship or whether your business wants to train an employee through Barbering Level 2.
I’m a future apprenticeI’m an employerEligibility, employment, funding and availability are confirmed before enrolment
English and maths support
NO GCSE RESULT?
LET’S CHECK YOUR ROUTE.
You may still be able to start an apprenticeship. HeadHunters will review the qualifications and evidence you already hold, then explain any Functional Skills support available through your training plan.
Read the current government guidance ↗If you do not already hold accepted equivalents, English and maths qualifications are required for completion and funded up to an approved Level 2.
English and maths study can be funded when an accepted equivalent is not already held and the employer agrees that it belongs in the training plan.
Reasonable adjustments and specific flexibilities may apply following an evidence-based assessment of learning needs.
Questions about this route
KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT
BEFORE YOU APPLY.
These answers explain the confirmed national apprenticeship requirements. HeadHunters will then check your individual starting point, employed role and training plan.
Do I need a barbershop job before I can start?
Yes. An apprenticeship is a paid job with training, and the employed role must provide enough opportunity to develop the complete Barbering Professional standard. If you do not yet have an employer, ask HeadHunters about current opportunities before applying.
How long does Barbering Level 2 take?
The national standard lists a typical on-programme duration of 18 months, followed by an end point assessment period that is typically 3 months. Your actual plan is agreed after initial assessment and may reflect evidenced prior learning.
What qualification is included?
HeadHunters plans to use the VTCT Skills Level 2 Diploma for Hair Professionals (Barbering), qualification number 603/1324/9. Registration and the final assessment organisation are confirmed in writing before enrolment.
What practical skills will I develop?
The route covers consultation, clipper and scissor cutting, fading, facial hair design, shaving, styling, finishing, client care and the professional standards required in a modern barbershop.
How is the apprenticeship assessed?
The current assessment plan has three methods: a knowledge test, a practical assessment and a professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio of workplace evidence.
Do I have to pay for the apprenticeship training?
An apprentice must not be asked to contribute to eligible apprenticeship training and assessment costs. The employer and HeadHunters confirm the funding arrangement that applies before enrolment.
Where will I train?
Your learning combines a suitable barbershop or salon role with scheduled Academy training. The final venue, timetable and attendance pattern for Leeds, Pontefract or Dewsbury are confirmed before you accept a place.
Verified course information
CURRENT ROUTE.
CLEAR EXPECTATIONS.
Information is based on current Skills England standards and the VTCT Skills route selected by HeadHunters.
Assessment and enrolment
WHAT TO EXPECT
Gateway confirms that the required on-programme qualification, training and evidence are complete. The current end point assessment uses a knowledge test, a practical assessment and a professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio. English and maths requirements follow the funding rules applying to the apprentice’s start date.
View the official ST1273 standard ↗The HeadHunters approach
PRACTICAL, CURRENT
AND SUPPORTED.
Training is built around hands-on development, clear feedback and the confidence to apply each skill in a professional environment.
Demonstration
See techniques broken down clearly.
Guided practice
Build control with educator feedback.
Commercial context
Connect skills to real client work.
Next steps
Leave with a practical development plan.
Important enrolment note
National facts on this page reflect Barbering Professional ST1273 version 1.0, currently approved for delivery. HeadHunters confirms the live standard, VTCT Skills registration, funding eligibility, employer arrangements, training plan and assessment organisation before enrolment.