FROM TIKTOK TO FADES

How The Future Of Barber Training Is Being Rewritten.

By Guest Editor, Jimmy O’Brien

Meet Natalie Turmine, the CEO of Service and Creative Skills Australia (SaCSA). SaCSA is the Jobs and Skills Council for the Arts, Personal Services, Retail, Tourism and Hospitality sectors.

Working within a tripartite approach, SaCSA is the critical link between industry stakeholders, government and unions and aims to provide a stronger, more strategic voice in ensuring Australia’s Vocational Education and Training sector delivers stronger outcomes for employers, workers, learners, trainers and educators.

SaCSA is currently undertaking a full review and update of Hairdressing and Barbering Qualifications, which includes the Certificate III in Barbering. We caught up with Natalie to learn more about this project and the implications it will have for the Barbering industry.

SaCSA has been leading the Review of Hairdressing and Barbering Qualifications, which includes the CERTIFICATE III IN BARBERING. What’s driving this review, and why now?

The Hairdressing and Barbering industries have seen massive change in recent years, from evolving client expectations and emerging business models to the influence of social media and digital platforms. However, what we’ve consistently heard through deep engagement with industry is that the current training qualifications haven’t kept up with this pace of change.

That’s why SaCSA is leading a full review of the core qualifications in Hairdressing and Barbering, including the Certificate III in Barbering. We’re looking at everything from foundational training right through to the Diploma level. The aim is to ensure that training is practical, relevant, and reflects what barbers and hairdressers need in today’s real-world environments.

What are some of the key issues or challenges the industry has raised about the current qualification?

One of the key concerns is that the current qualification doesn’t reflect how barbering actually works in practice.

The language in the training package doesn’t use barber-specific industry terms, which creates confusion between what’s taught and what’s done on the job.

Another issue is that the structure and content of the qualification still follow a salon-based service model, but barbershops tend to be much faster-paced. They’re often walk-in based, with shorter service times and a higher client turnover, which is something the current training approach doesn’t really support.

There’s also a mismatch in skills. Some units include things like basin services that don’t align with what barbers require. At the same time, the technical skills that are vital, like clipper work, fades and beard sculpting, aren’t always being taught to the standard expected by industry. That’s partly because many RTOs struggle to find trainers with current, specialist barbering experience.

We’re also hearing that apprenticeships, as they currently stand, aren’t always sustainable for employers, particularly smaller barbershops that need someone on the floor quickly. And because there’s no requirement to be qualified to work as a barber in most states, there’s not a strong incentive for learners to complete their training. Dropout rates remain high, often driven by poor experiences with RTOs, low learner engagement, or the extended duration of the formal Certificate III pathway.

What does a “fit for purpose” qualification look like in today’s barbering industry?

A fit-for-purpose qualification in barbering should reflect the real needs of the industry from day one. That means learners are acquiring the appropriate skills and knowledge needed by industry and are being taught by experienced barbers who can deliver contemporary, technical skills like skin fades, scissor work, beard sculpting and razor techniques.

It also needs to be hands-on and relevant to how barbershops operate, which is fast-paced, walk-in based and focused on job-ready skills. Real client interaction and real-world experience should be built into the training from the outset.

Flexibility is another key factor. We’re hearing strong support for modular or staged pathways that get learners onto the floor quickly, support sustainable employment, and still allow them to work towards a full Certificate III over time.

The qualification should also offer opportunities to extend into advanced skills, from colouring and longer hair styling to grooming and waxing, to reflect evolving services offered by modern barbershops. It should support business readiness too, with elective units in branding, social media and client retention to help barbers move into self-employment or freelance work.

Training should embed professionalism and customer experience, including building the interpersonal and cultural skills needed to offer inclusive services and build client trust.

Ultimately, a fit-for-purpose qualification is one that motivates learners to stay engaged, builds their confidence, and prepares them for a long, successful career in the barbering industry.

Beyond technical skills, what other capabilities are becoming essential for barbers today? How might these be reflected in training?

While technical ability is core, today’s barbers also need a broad set of professional and personal capabilities to succeed.

Strong client communication is essential to build rapport, manage expectations, and create a welcoming, inclusive environment for all clients. Training should help learners develop these interpersonal skills and cultural awareness from the start.

Time management is also critical in a fast-paced, walk-in barbershop. Barbers need to work efficiently while maintaining quality. This means training should mirror that pace and help learners build confidence in working to time.

Professional presentation and hygiene remain non-negotiable. A fit-forpurpose qualification should reinforce high standards in personal grooming and maintaining a clean, safe workspace.

Digital skills are also increasingly important. Many barbers build their client base through social media and use booking platforms to manage their business. Training could offer optional units or exposure to tools like Instagram, TikTok and digital booking systems.

There’s also value in developing basic commercial awareness. Understanding things like pricing, customer loyalty, and rent-a-chair or commission models can support learners in real-word career success.

Finally, confidence and resilience are vital in a hands-on, client-facing job. Training should support learners to build self-assurance, receive and act on feedback, and develop a strong professional mindset.

By embedding these capabilities into the qualification, we’re preparing wellrounded professionals ready to succeed in today’s evolving industry.

With an evolving workforce, what do you see as the biggest opportunity for attracting and retaining new talent in barbering?

One of the biggest opportunities lies in how we promote the career pathway. Young people want to see where barbering can take them, not just the entry point. That could be mastering advanced fades and grooming, competing at a national level, or eventually opening their own barbershop. Making that progression visible and achievable is key to sparking long-term interest.

Training also needs to be fast, hands-on and job ready. Learners want to build skills quickly and start working. Modular or skill-set-based entry options can help keep them engaged and employed, while still supporting a full qualification pathway over time.

Telling real success stories from within the industry can also be powerful. When learners see barbers who’ve built strong personal brands, loyal client bases or successful businesses, it shifts the perception of barbering from a short-term option to a career with real potential.

Another big factor is the quality of the training experience. Trainers with recent, real-world barbering experience who are passionate and connected to industry make a huge difference. Investing in this workforce will help students feel seen, supported, and inspired to stay the course. Lastly, the industry has an opportunity to focus on inclusion. Today’s learners are looking for workplaces and training environments that reflect modern value, inclusive of all genders, backgrounds and identities. That sense of belonging needs to be built into both the culture and the curriculum if we want people to stay and thrive.

SaCSA will be undertaking more consultations across Australia. What can barbers expect from this process, and how can they get involved?

Barbers can expect a genuine opportunity to help shape the future of their industry. SaCSA is running barber-specific consultations to better understand what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change in the current Certificate III in Barbering. This is your chance to make sure the next version of the qualification truly reflects the realities of barbering today.

Our nation-wide roundtables will commence this September. We want to hear directly from barbers. Whether you’re a shop owner, rent-a-chair operator, apprentice, or trainer, your lived experience matters. Your insights into training, workforce needs and career pathways will help guide the reforms.

We’ll be sharing what we’ve heard and showing how it’s being used, so you can see your voice is being heard and making an impact.

To get involved, keep an eye on our website and LinkedIn. You can submit an enquiry on our website or sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay in the loop.

www.sacsa.org.au