BARBERING COURSE

Purpose:

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To train the next generation of barbers, the Tonis way, clean fades, sharp beard work, strong textured hair skills and 5⭐ client experience

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Who it’s for

• Complete beginners or juniors with less than 1 year shop experience

• Career-changers who want practical skills and real shop confidence

• Assistants working in Tonis Barbers who need a structured training plan

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Format

• Length: 6 weeks (around 150–200 guided hours)

• Schedule example: 3 training days per week (2 in-shop, 1 online)

• Mix: 25% theory / demos, 75% practical on blocks and real clients

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On completion, learners should be able to

• Carry out key men’s haircuts confidently (tapers, low/mid/high fades, classic cuts)

• Shape and maintain beards, moustaches and line-ups to Tonis standards

• Work safely and hygienically in a busy barbershop environment

• Cut and style afro and textured hair with respect and confidence 

• Deliver a relaxed, friendly Manchester client experience while using digital booking tools (Booksy, social media, reviews)

 

Week 1 – Barber Foundations & Shop Mindset 

 

Goals: Build safe habits, basic theory and Tonis “shop energy”.

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Key topics

• The modern barber role & Tonis brand standards

• Basic anatomy: hair & scalp structure; hair growth patterns

• Hygiene & safety: cleaning tools, infection control, PPE, cross-contamination basics 

• Tools intro: clippers, guards, trimmers, scissors, combs, razors – what each is for and how to maintain them

• Consultation basics:

  • Greeting and body language

  • Reading client references (photos, TikTok/IG)

  • Managing expectations & agreeing a plan

• Shop etiquette: punctuality, chair set-up, working clean, respecting clients & team

 

Practical focus

• Holding and controlling tools safely

• Comb control drills on mannequin heads

• Sectioning patterns on different head shapes

• Role-play consultations with classmates

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Week 2 Core Cutting & Fading 

 

Goals: Build solid foundations in clipper and scissor work for the styles Tonis is known for.

 

Key topics

1. Clipper essentials

   • Clipper-over-comb and guard-based cutting

   • Creating balanced shapes on different head forms

   • Building a basic fade: establishing guidelines, bulk removal, blending

2. Fades for real clients

   • Low, mid and high fades

   • Tapers vs full fades (including “student favourite” taper fade) 

   • Necklines & sideburns: square vs tapered, matching facial structure

3. Scissor work

   • Tension, body position, and safety

   • One-length, uniform and graduation basics

   • Transitioning from clipper work to scissor refinement

4. Finishing & styling

   • Blow-dry techniques for different hair types

   • Product selection (mattes, pomades, creams) based on hair and lifestyle

   • Simple, repeatable styling routines clients can maintain at home

Practical focus

• Daily mannequin work moving quickly onto live models

• Full haircuts under timed conditions

• Before/after photos for each cut to build learner portfolios

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Week 3 Beard, Shave & Grooming 

 

Goals: Make learners genuinely strong at beard work, line-ups and hot-towel grooming – a key part of Tonis service offer. 

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Key topics

• Skin prep & analysis: sensitive skin, razor bumps, contraindications

• Beard mapping: working with growth patterns, cowlicks and patchy areas

• Beard shapes: corporate short beard, sharp jawline beard, goatee variations, stubble maintenance

• Line-ups & detailing:

  • Cheek lines, neck lines, moustache finishing

  • Symmetry checks, working with face shapes

• Hot towel shaves (demo then supervised practice)

• Aftercare products: balms, oils, astringents – when and why

 

Practical focus

• Line-up practice on mannequins and then real clients

• Straight-razor practice on balloons/foam before touching skin

• Full “haircut + beard” service under supervision, with timing targets

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Week 4 Textured & Afro Hair + Braids Basics 

 

Designed to match Tonis “afro barber” and textured hair reputation in Crumpsall and across Manchester.

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Key topics

• Understanding textured hair:

  • Curl patterns and density

  • Common scalp and hair concerns (dryness, breakage, traction)

• Cutting afro and textured hair:

  • Even shape-ups with clippers

  • Sponge/brush techniques

  • Keeping lines crisp without overcutting

• Fades on textured hair: blending without “steps”, respecting hairlines

• Intro to protective styles & braids (theory + demo):

  • Basic partings and clean sections

  • Simple cornrows and twists (practice on mannequins)

  • Client care: tension, aftercare, realistic maintenance talk

Practical focus

• Model days focused purely on textured/afro clients

• “Crisp vs textured” looks – creating both on the same model where possible (e.g. sharp fade with sponge curls on top) 

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Week 5 Client Experience, Business & Brand 

 

Goals: Turn learners into barbers who not only cut well but keep chairs full.

Key topics

• Tonis client journey: from Booksy booking to walking out the door 

• Time management: staying on schedule while keeping quality high

• Communication skills:

  • Handling nervous/new clients

  • Dealing with complaints calmly

  • Upselling services (beard add-on, treatments) in an authentic way

• Barbershop operations:

  • Till basics, cash vs card

  • Daily cleaning routines, stock checks

  • Equipment care & servicing 

• Personal brand & content:

  • Taking clean before/after photos

  • Basic Instagram/TikTok content ideas

  • Writing simple captions that bring clients back

  • Encouraging reviews without sounding pushy

Practical focus

• Each learner runs a “mock shift”:

  • Checking clients in, greeting, cutting, rebooking, asking for reviews

• Create a 10-post content plan and 3 live posts for their own page

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Week 6 Shop Floor Immersion & Final Assessment 

 

Goals: Prove learners can work to Tonis standard, in real time.

Structure

• Learners take paid or discounted-model clients on set training days, in Tonis Barbers, with an educator on the floor

• Each learner completes a small checklist of services, for example:

  • 3 x low/mid/high fades

  • 2 x classic/scissor-heavy cuts

  • 3 x haircut + beard services

  • 2 x afro/textured cuts

  • 1 x hot-towel shave (or demo participation if not permitted by insurance)

Assessment

• Continuous assessment throughout the programme (attendance, attitude, hygiene, progression)

• Final “Tonis Check-Out”:

  • One full client service from consultation to finish

  • Verbal quiz covering hygiene, consultation, and corrective strategies

  • Review of their portfolio (photos + social content plan)

Outcome

• Tonis Barbers Foundation Barber Certificate

• Individual written feedback with:

  • Strengths

  • Key areas to improve in the next 3–6 months

  • Recommended path: e.g. “Junior Barber at Tonis”, “Return for Advanced Fades & Creative Work short course”, etc.

 

Teaching Methods

• Demo → Guided practice → Independent practice for every new skill 

• Combination of:

  • Short theory sessions

  • Live demos on models

  • Mannequin drills

  • Real client days

• Use of step-by-step video content (recorded in Tonis) so learners can rewatch outside class, inspired by leading barber schools’ use of e-learning.