Last night, our Adult Barbering learners were joined by Nek’s Barbershop, one of our Career Excellence Hubs (CEH) partners, for a hands-on Barbering Masterclass.

Nek, the owner of Nek’s Barbershop based on Worle High Street, is a former Weston College learner who has had a successful career within the barbering industry. Nek brought along his colleague Dan, another former Weston College learner, and they both shared practical tips and business advice, giving our learners valuable insights to help them get started in the barbering industry.

The Barbering Masterclass included Nek demonstrating a skin fade and mullet on two live models, with support from his colleague, Dan. This hands-on session gave learners the chance to see these techniques performed in a professional setting while receiving clear, step-by-step guidance from Nek and Dan throughout the demonstration.

Ex learner, Dan, was excellent at giving advice on how to approach the barbering industry after finishing college. His main tip for the learners was to be willing to continue learning after college finishes. He explained that you are always learning new techniques, and that it took him about a year after finishing his qualification to feel confident on the shop floor. So be patient! Dan also gave advice on industry experts to follow on social media, as a way of learning new techniques and staying up to date with barbering trends.

Nek's tips for the learners included reaching out to barber shops for a job now, as the best thing the learners can do to progress is to be around other barbers who they can learn from, and to not go out alone at first. Nek explained that it took him years to build his clientele, so do not expect too much overnight. He advised the learners to not be hard on themselves if a cut takes longer than expected – it's better to perfect your skill rather than rush! Nek also spoke to the learners about brands he likes to work with, and which tools he enjoys working with.

Jenna Ratcliffe, Head of Service Sectors, said, “Our CEH partners play a vital role in giving our learners practical, real-world industry experiences that help them take their first steps in their careers. Nek’s Barbershop is a fantastic example of this, inspiring our adult barbering learners to start building industry connections, as well as giving realistic and helpful advice.”

The learners thoroughly enjoyed the evening, and they reported back that they thought both Nek and Dan were very knowledgeable, and that they enjoyed the insight into the barbering industry from someone who is hands-on and successful. Overall, it was an inspiring evening for everyone!

To find out more about our adult barbering courses, click here.