Most commonly reported Work Activities
- Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
- Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
- Performing General Physical Activities Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
- Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
- Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
- Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems Analysing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
- Judging the Qualities of Things, Services, or People Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.
- Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
Working Life
Most of a barber’s clients will be looking for just a haircut, but services offered include styling hair, shampoos, hair dying and beard grooming, additional services such as skin, scalp and nail care may be offered. Other aspects of a barber’s work would be very similar to more conventional retail work, taking payments, maintaining the store and handling sales.
The barbering sector in Ireland has grown in the last decade and that trend is continuing. To go along with the increased demand for barbers is a need for barbers with higher skill levels, with increasingly style conscious men requesting more advanced grooming than in years past. As with retail the work is active, requiring long periods of standing, but good barbers will possess precision and vision.
Most commonly reported Work Tasks
- Clean and sterilise scissors, combs, clippers, and other instruments.
- Drape and pin protective cloths around customers' shoulders.
- Cut and trim hair according to clients' instructions or current hairstyles, using clippers, combs, hand-held blow driers, and scissors.
- Question patrons regarding desired services and haircut styles.
- Clean work stations and sweep floors.
- Apply lather and shave beards or neck and temple hair contours, using rasors.
- Record services provided on cashiers' tickets or receive payment from customers.
- Shape and trim beards and moustaches, using scissors.
- Perform clerical and administrative duties such as keeping records, paying bills, and hiring and supervising personnel.
- Stay informed of the latest styles and hair care techniques.
Qualities - Barber
As a barber, interpersonal skills are vital. You need to be friendly, polite, sociable and able to talk to customers easily.
Practical skills are important too - you should be able to work well with your hands, and undertake detailed, intricate work.
A creative, artistic sense and an eye for colour and form is needed. An interest in fashion and style is important, as is self-presentation. You should be well groomed.
As a barber, you need to be fit and able to stand for long periods. The use of treatments that contain chemicals may affect you if you have sensitive skin. In some cases, the treatments can cause problems for people with allergies.
Interests - Barber
This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Realist
Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.
Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Entry / Progression - Barber
There are three main routes into work in barbering, private schools, and barbering courses.
On the Job Training: Training in a barber shop should follow a definite structure and the trainee should be familiar with the content of the programme they are following, what they have completed and what is left to complete.
Private Training Schools: There are a large number of private training schools in various locations around the country. They cater for the complete beginner through to the advanced stylist. The duration and cost of courses together with the qualifications on offer will vary from school to school for various reasons.
Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research.
Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.
Example search terms include: hairdressing, barbering.
Search for FET Courses
PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.
Example search terms include: hairdressing, barbering, salon management.
Search for PLC Courses
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.
Examples: Hairdressing Apprenticeship.
Search for Apprenticeships
Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate)
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.
Example search terms include: hairdressing, barbering.
Search for CAO Courses
Pay & Salary - Barber
Salary Range (thousands per year)* €25k - €43k
Average Salary of 28,000. Salaries can vary greatly due to shift and part time work. Self employed barbers may earn more.
Data Source(s):
Indeed/ Payscale/ Glassdoor / Salary expert
Last Updated: March, 2024
Labour Market Updates - Barber
Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Hairdressers; Barbers; colourists (hairdressing); hair stylists; beauty therapists; nail technicians.
This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).
There was a large increase in numbers employed for hairdressers and beauticians between 2021 and 2022, with an additional 5,700 persons employed; as such, numbers employed returned to preCOVID-19 levels. The majority of persons employed were female, with half working part-time. The share of non-Irish citizens, at 22%, was slightly above the national average of 19%.
Vacancies advertised through DSP Jobs Ireland were primarily for roles including spa/beauty therapists, hair stylists and barbers. There was a relatively high volume of jobseekers registered with DSP in December 2022 who were previously employed as hairdressers, beauticians or related occupations. Future demand for hairdressers and beauticians is likely to be linked to consumer behaviour, given the increased cost of living.
Useful Contacts - Barber
-
Hair and Beauty Industry Confederation (HABIC)
- HABIC The Enterprise Centre The Hill Road, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim, N41 Y1F6
- 07196 15 200
- [email protected]
- Click Here
-
Irish Hairdresser's Federation
