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If you have a passion for hair and enjoy helping others look and feel their best, start your career as a barber now. As an apprentice, you’ll gain hands-on experience shampooing, cutting, trimming, and styling hair and beards, as well as providing scalp treatments and facial massages. Plus, you’ll learn and practice how to clean work area and tools, as well as keeping records of your clients’ appointments. You’ll get business savvy as you learn how to run a successful and profitable barbering enterprise.

  • Get business savvy as you learn how to run a successful and profitable barbering enterprise.
  • Train for just two years with combined work on-the-job and in the classroom of 2,000 hours.
  • Begin a rewarding career with no student debt – in fact, you’ll get paid to attend classes!
  • Upon completing the program and passing your State Barber License exam, you’ll become a licensed barber, ready to continue your career and pursue your passion for hair.

Qualifications

You must be in good physical health and able to stand for long periods of time, possess finger dexterity, a sense of form and artistry and work well with the public.

Get started as a Barber Apprentice

  1. You need to be in an apprenticeship program with your employer and should apply directly to employers, if you are not employed as an apprentice.  
    1. Gateway’s Career and Employment Services team can provide assistance.
    2. Wisconsin’s Department of Workforce Development (DWD) also offers employment information for prospective apprentices.
  2. If an employer wishes to hire you, they will submit an apprentice application to Wisconsin's DWD. You will be given a credential notice if the DWD determines that you meet the Bureau of Apprentice Standards qualifications.
  3. You and your employer will submit the credential notice, the Apprentice Application (Form #1488) and the fee ($10.00) to the Department of Safety and Professional Services, P.O. Box 8935, Madison, WI 53708-8935.
  4. The Department of Safety and Professional Services will issue the apprentice permit after the application is approved. You may begin to work after your permit is issued. Your permit will be valid for three (3) years.
  5. Once your permit is in place, Gateway’s Apprenticeship department will communicate with you regarding registration, classes and books. 

If you need assistance getting started, Gateway’s Apprenticeship Department is happy to help.

Curriculum Sheet:
pdf icon  50-502-5 Barbering Apprentice Curriculum Sheet.pdf

Career Pathway Map:
pdf icon  Barber Apprentice Career Pathway Map.pdf