Helping service personnel into the barbering industry
Recruit Information Pack
Start your new career with Armour to Barber The Armour to Barber (A2B) movement was founded by former serviceman Liam Hamilton. In his early 20s, Liam selflessly dedicated 21-years of his life to serving in the Coldstream Guards. After being medically discharged Liam was confronted with an adversity that nearly 14,000 forces members face each year – a lack of post-service opportunities and support. Thankfully, he had previous experience as a barber and this gave him a platform to build his own business, learn a respectable trade, become a leader, and enjoy a life of creativity. Today, with support from premium men’s grooming brand The Bluebeards Revenge, the A2B movement has developed a network of contacts and dedicated barbershops all over the UK. Together, these assets offer former service personnel vital work placements so that they can follow Liam’s example and reinvent themselves as barbers.
How does A2B help me to become a barber? With more men taking an invested interest in their appearance than ever before, barbering has become a very competitive industry. But while the masses approach this battlefield with no clear strategy, A2B is here to help you map out your own personal route to success. When you become enrolled in the A2B movement, you are granted access to a whole host of benefits that are unavailable to the rest of Civvy Street. We believe your service to Queen and country means you’ve earned these perks.
Work placements in UK barbershops We have developed a network of more than 100 barbershops all over the UK. These shops are vetted and approved by us for their high levels of professionalism. The barbers that work in these shops have pledged their services to help you gain the vital work experience needed to make it in this competitive but enjoyable industry.
Funding for additional education Work experience is the first step, but to become a master of your trade you will need to invest in further education. Our team possesses an impressive database of charities and organisations that can help you to fund this essential education. Our team will work with you and our contacts to carefully advise which courses suit you best.
Community Above everything else, A2B stands for community. We all come from disciplines that were founded upon mutual respect, team work and communication skills. As a result, everyone enrolled in A2B is expected to play a valuable role in creating a community that offers on-going support to all.
Employment Your journey with A2B is ultimately designed to help you find employment as a barber. Therefore, we are committed to supporting you for as long as you need us, even if that’s way after your official enrolment with us has ended.
Get great discounts and access to the best tools and products Thanks to supportive partners such as The Bluebeards Revenge, we are able to supply you with discounts and complimentary access to the key tools and products needed to become a barber.
Am I eligible? Our course is open to both veterans and those who are in resettlement. All we ask is that you have a desire to pursue a successful career in barbering. You may also be required to provide proof of your military service and/or employment status upon enrolment.
Work experience placement breakdown Where is the placement delivered? To ensure you encounter only the most realistic barbering experience, you will be placed in to an A2B approved barbershop near you. Upon arrival you will be greeted with the upmost hospitality and professionalism as standard.
How is a barbershop selected for me? With more than 100 approved barbershops at our disposal, we endeavour to place you in the closest/most appropriate location possible. As a result, you may already be familiar with your shop and its staff. We ask all of our barbershops to participate in an informal interview with you before any official placements take place. This allows both parties to communicate in a social, light-hearted environment to make sure they are like-minded and equally driven. After passing this interview, it is the dual responsibility of you and your new barbershop to construct a work schedule that suits both parties. The A2B team will help to make sure this process runs smoothly.
How long does my placement last? The standard A2B placement is made up of 300 effort hours, which equates to approximately five and a half weeks. The timeframe in which this placement takes place can be customised on an individual basis, so don’t stress if you feel you might need more time.
What will I learn? We want you to be fully immersed in the barbering experience. As a result, we ask all of our barbershops to educate you in the following: • Reception duties. • Basic health and safety in the barbershop. • Basic product knowledge. • How to retail products effectively. • How to develop effective working relationships. • How to advise and consult with clients. • How to prepare for hair services and maintain a clean work area. • How to shampoo, condition and treat the hair and scalp.* • How to cut men’s hair using basic techniques. • How to blow-dry and style men’s hair using basic techniques. • How to create basic outlines and detailing in men’s hair. • How to cut and shape facial hair using basic techniques.** • How to assist with shaving services. *This is only expected if the appropriate basins are available. **This is only achievable if the barbershop you are placed in has adjustable head restraints on their barber chairs.
How is my progress managed? Upon enrolling with A2B, you will be given an official A2B journal. This journal will tell your story and enables you to record your progress. A signature from your barber tutor is required to prove that each step of the learning process has been completed. Upon completion, you will be rewarded with a passing out certificate.
What happens after I complete my placement? Upon the successful completion of your placement, it is our aim to make sure you find regular work in the barbering industry. If you’ve impressed your barber tutor they may well offer to keep you on as staff. If for whatever reason this is not an option, we will work with you to find the most suitable next step.
How much does it cost to enrol in A2B? A lot of work goes in to setting you up in one of our approved barbershops, and all the perks that come with this. As a result, everyone that enrols with A2B is required to contribute £50.00 upon their successful registration. A further £50 is collected upon the successful completion of your course. This contribution helps to maintain the high standards of work that are poured into A2B and ultimately enables us to continue to improve and offer more rewards to everyone involved.
How do I enrol? Becoming enrolled with A2B is a simple process – just register your interest via our online application form and our team will be in touch as soon as possible: www.armourtobarber.uk/become-a-barber/ or email us on armourtobarber@mail.com.
FAQs How much service must I have completed? At A2B we cater to veterans and those that are in resettlement. We ask that you are able to prove that you have at least completed the basic training related to your service. If you have been medically discharged from your discipline, you may be required to provide proof.
Where in the U.K. are you based? We are not based in any one location and instead have a dedicated network of UK barbershops that operate alongside us. Any of these barbershops can be approached for more information on our programme or you can enquire via our website www.armourtobarber.uk.
If I’m still serving when would be the best time to apply? For those still serving, we suggest you get in touch with us as soon as you begin resettlement. This provides us with as much time as possible to find you a suitable barbershop for your work placement. It also helps to limit ‘skills fade’.
What if I don’t complete my course? If you are unable to complete your course for any reason we ask that you inform us immediately. We will help you to leave your placement with minimal impact to all involved. Depending on how far in to your course you are, you may also be entitled to receiving £25 back from your initial fee.
Paul Mortensens – Royal Navy In October 2017 I found out I was going to be medically discharged after 20 years in the Royal Navy. I had always been interested in barbering so I looked into doing some training. Unfortunately, this was more challenging than expected due to the lack of available courses through the standard resettlement programme. I therefore chose to put myself through an NVQ level 2 in barbering – a very costly exercise. During my course I started to join barbering groups and discovered Liam Hamilton and his Armour to Barber team. I contacted them and straight away they were so helpful. They were not only there to give me advice at any time but they also found me a barbershop in my local town that was willing to employ me after my course was finished. I am now working in a busy barbershop and enjoying my new life within an exciting and creative industry. Armour to Barber was a very vital link for me and has really helped me to transition back in to civilian life.
Simon Johnson – Royal Navy My journey with Armour to Barber started a little over two years ago. Having been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), courtesy of Afghanistan, I was set to be medically discharged from the Royal Navy. It was a traumatic time and I felt lost, alone, confused and scared. I knew I needed to find a new career for myself and started to pursue barbering. I started by working on my cutting skills as much as possible, taking extra courses in Plymouth and Sunderland at the SB Barbering Academy. I then emailed the Armour to Barber team, led by Liam Hamilton, as I had heard great things about their forces friendly programme. Liam immediately responded to my email with an offer of assistance. He asked me a few simple questions: why I wanted to be a barber, where I wanted to be located and if I had any previous experience. Soon after, Liam put me in touch with Damien Owens – the owner of London Town Barbers in Barnstable. After a friendly, lighthearted interview, we agreed a start date. The day of reckoning arrived and, in true military style, I turned up for my first day as a barber with plenty of time to spare. After an initial introduction, I was given a chair and area to work from. I had previous experience in barbering, but my first few cuts were still very nerve racking… On the odd occasion I was stuck or unsure I’d turn to the other barbers in the shop for guidance and reassurance. They obliged happily, of course. As the weeks progressed I began to feel more and more confident in my abilities. The overall stress and confusion I had been feeling was lifting. For the first time in several years I was beginning to feel like I was part of a team again. The last few months have been incredibly challenging physically and mentally. There have been a number of challenges and tests thrown my way: some from Damien and some from my past. As time goes on I get more and more confident, which in turn improves my barbering. Armour to Barber, Damien and his team have been immensely supportive and have restored my faith in humanity. Without their full support my life might have looked a whole lot different.