THE TIME Help Shape the Future of Barbering IS NOW!

By Jimmy O’Brien – Jimmy Rods

After years, yes, years of advocating for a long-overdue review of the Certificate III in Barbering, we’ve finally reached a defining moment. The review is officially underway. For those of us who’ve been calling for more relevant, practical, and forward-thinking training standards, this is the opportunity we’ve been waiting for.

Earlier this year I had the honour of flying to Sydney to join the Strategic Workforce Advisory Group (SWAG), a significant milestone not just for me personally, but for all barbers who’ve been pushing for change, relevance, and true representation in our education and training framework.

What Does This Mean for Our Industry?

This is more than a review—it’s a chance to reshape our industry from the ground up. It’s about ensuring that the Certificate III in Barbering and related qualifications reflect the real-world skills needed in today’s barbershops. As part of the national project led by kills Insight, the following qualifications are now being reviewed:

-SHB30416 Certificate III in Hairdressing

-SHB30516 Certificate III in Barbering

-SHB40216 Certificate IV in Hairdressing -SHB50216 Diploma of Salon Management

You can learn more or get involved herehttps://sacsa.org.au

The Goals of This Review Include:

Reducing Duplication: Removing overlapping content while keeping essential repetition that builds competency.

Streamlining Qualifications: Exploring the potential for one core Certificate III qualification with specialisation streams to simplify the learner experience.

Improving Pathways: Creating clear and seamless transitions from Cert III to Diploma-level qualifications for better career progression.

Enhancing Practical Skills: Placing greater focus on foundational, jobready skills to better prepare apprentices for real client demands.

Where Do You Come In?

This review is not just for industry insiders—it’s for all of us. Whether you’ve been cutting for two years or twenty, your voice matters. We’re at a turning point, and it’s time we all speak up.

Let’s take one of the more hotly debated topics: shampooing and basin work. Some argue it should remain an elective, but I strongly believe it deserves a place as a core unit. Why? Because it’s not just about rinsing hair. It’s about understanding scalp conditions, maintaining hygiene standards, and offering tailored advice to clients—professionalism that sets great barbers apart.

Then there’s colouring, it’s no longer just a trend—it’s become a cornerstone of modern barbering. From bleach fades to bold tones, today’s clients are requesting more than just a cut. Right now, colouring is included as a core unit—and for good reason. It reflects the diversity of services we offer every day. So, we must ask; Are we preparing apprentices for the real job? Are our current units still relevant? Because this review gives us the rare chance to answer those questions and make lasting change. This is our opportunity to modernise, evolve, and ensure that what we teach reflects who we are and where we’re going.

Expo 4 Barbers – What an Incredible Experience!

While we’re on the subject of industry momentum, I must give a massive shoutout to the team Expo4Barbers on the Gold Coast. What an unforgettable experience! From start to finish, the event was packed with energy, inspiration, and passion. I was honoured to judge the intense and creative Barber Battle and to share insights on the business panel. T

he conversations we had were not only eye-opening—they were uplifting and forward-thinking, showing how much our industry is thriving. A huge thank you to the entire 4Barbers team for hosting such a well-organised, high-impact event. And of course, a special shoutout to Fraser, your leadership and vision continue to push the industry to new heights.

Already counting down to the next one!

Lastly, I want to express my gratitude to the Mocha team for the special recognition award. It truly means the world to be acknowledged among such passionate and talented professionals.

The time is now. Let’s shape the next chapter of barbering, together.

Live fast, look sharp

Jimmy Rod